Sanitation Legal Framework and the individualization of water

Individualization of water consumption measurement refers to the practice of installing water meters in each housing unit or establishment within a building or residential complex. This allows water consumption to be measured individually, instead of using a single meter for the entire building or condominium.

Usually, until 2021, water distribution in a condominium was done as shown in the illustration below:

Please note that there is only 1 water meter, right at the entrance to the condominium, which measures all the water consumed. Therefore, the consumption of each house is not known and the monthly charge is made by dividing the total value of the water bill sent by the distributor by the number of houses.

Everyone pays the same amount, even though there are houses with just 1 resident and others with families of 5, 6 or more residents.

Naturally, those who use less water end up “financing” the greater consumption of their neighbors. Problems ahead, right?

To correct this situation, projects delivered after July 2021 must have individual water meters, in accordance with Federal Law 13,312/2016. Old condominiums are not obliged, but if they understand that the advantages are worth it, they can implement individualization.

The new Legal Framework for Basic Sanitation — Law 14,026/2020 — also establishes this obligation, aiming at environmental sustainability.

Now see in figure 2 that each house has its own water meter. Each consumer will receive their individual water bill, charging only for that household's consumption. Much better, right?

There is a water meter on the condominium's water meter stand, which will measure the entire water consumption. It is called the MAIN WATER METER. The water meters in each house are the INDIVIDUAL WATER METERS.

And why individualize? See here the advantages of individualizing water consumption measurement:

1. Fair Billing: Allows each resident or unit to pay exactly for the volume of water they consume, preventing people who save water from ending up paying for other people's waste.

2. Incentive to Economy: By having access to individual consumption data, residents tend to adopt more economical and conscious practices, helping to reduce water waste. The estimated reduction in consumption is around the house of 35%.

3. Identification of Leaks: Facilitates the identification of leaks and plumbing problems, since significant deviations in consumption are easily detectable.

4. Efficient Management: Improves water resource management and allows for more efficient administration of water costs, both for consumers and building administrators.

5. Transparency: Provides greater transparency and clarity in charging for services, which can reduce conflicts between residents and administrators.

Individualizing water measurement is an effective strategy to promote the conscious and sustainable use of water resources, in addition to ensuring a fair distribution of costs.