Tecnologias hídricas sociais como estratégias de convivência com a seca no recorte geográfico de Sumé, PB

Abstract

Drought is a natural phenomenon that drastically affects the environment, agricultural and socioeconomic activities. The expression coexistence with drought emerged in the mid-1990s to replace the fight against drought. In view of this, an attempt was made to diagnose the main northeastern droughts, public actions carried out and social water technologies, as alternatives for coexistence in the semi-arid region of Paraiba, these determinations being the main objectives. The work was carried out in the territorial section of Sumé, including Sitio Pitombeira, located in the immediate geographical region of Sumé and intermediate of Campina Grande, PB. The methodological procedures consisted of data from official documents and in loco, in the referred Site, using semi-structured questionnaires, using the Focus Group technique. With the rainfall data - monthly and annual - the rainfall regimes were established and with the criterion of the relative deviations, the types of associated droughts / droughts, highlighting the period 2012/17. With five median annual rainfall scenarios and those observed from 2012 to 2017, rainwater catchment volumes and those required were estimated, being calculated and analyzed using an Excel spreadsheet. The main results showed that drought is not a new phenomenon; it starts with the scarcity of rain and reflects on the ambience and socioeconomic activities. The first strategies and actions of the public authorities to face droughts in northeastern Brazil began with the formation of concentration camps in the State of Ceará, on the fronts of emergency work and in an attempt to contain the rural exodus. The first Federal agency was created with the purpose of executing hydraulic works and assisting the affected populations. The first federal agency was created with the purpose of executing hydraulic works and assisting the affected populations and the paradigm of living with drought started to be guided only at the end of the last century. The rainfall regime in the Sumé geographic area is asymmetrical, irregular and the criterion of relative rainfall deviation allowed to monitor and prove the socio-economic drought and its environmental effects and in the indicators of livestock, agricultural and local socio-economic activities. The offerings of drinking water (desalinated and water tanker operation) for the residents of Sítio Pitombeira are insufficient. However, rainwater harvesting has proven to be an efficient technology that produces enough water for consumption and small food production, provided that the size of the reservoir (cistern) is dimensioned according to the local rainfall regime and the volume of water needed to consumption and small food production, conditions necessary for local coexistence.