Análise técnica de sistema de abastecimento hídrico no setor agropecuário: estudo de caso aplicado à dessedentação animal

Abstract

This study presents a technical analysis of a water supply system applied to livestock watering, comparing the performance of an existing system with an optimized proposal for a farm located in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. The research highlights the importance of water resource management in the agricultural sector, considering the context of water scarcity and increasing water demand. The methodology included field data collection, topographic analysis, hydraulic design, and simulations using the CRede software. The farm under study, with a significant herd of cattle and horses, was analyzed in its central sector, where existing components such as artesian well, pumping systems, reservoirs, and distribution network were mapped. The evaluation of the current system identified shortcomings such as inefficient reservoir placement, resulting in operational losses and low technical performance. In contrast, the proposed system proved to be more efficient by adopting pressure criteria compatible with the materials used, hydraulic segmentation by zones, and energy optimization through a hybrid pumping system. From a hydraulic perspective, there was also an improvement in pipeline sizing, with an increase in the proportion of segments using 50 mm diameters, more suitable for the design flows, and a reduction in segments with 75 mm and 100 mm diameters, contributing to better pressure regulation. In addition to meeting the water demands of livestock activities, the proposed system offers a practical contribution to sustainable water management in rural areas. The study reinforces the need for technically grounded projects as tools for modernization and sustainability in the countryside.