Atworld Water Day, which is celebrated annually by the United Nations (UN) on March 22, draws the attention of countries, companies and people to the problems that involve water resource matters, a topic that worries the international community. With the nearing of the date and engaged in the purpose of raising the awareness of clients in their concession areas, EDP organized a campaign to encourage the conscious consumption of this resource.

At the Company, which operates in all segments of the country power chain, will deliver an hourglass that marks the ideal time to stay under the shower to consumers in the Distribution area who are a part of São José dos Campos, Mogi das Cruzes and Serra next Thursday (22). As recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), five minutes is enough. To get an idea, while a 15-minute bath consumes an average of 135 liters of water, the suggested time uses only 45 liters.

"We are committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (ODS) from last year and reinforce our social and environmental commitment, "recalls Pedro Sirgado, executive manager of environment and sustainability at EDP. "Our initiative is within this framework, supporting the overall effort to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water for everyone. "

According to data from the UN itself, about 1.9 billion individuals already live in areas that may be subject to severe droughts and, by 2050, this number should reach 3 billion. Over the next 30 years, the global population will increase by 2 billion people and the demand for water could grow by up to 30%.

Save and reuse

Water is a fundamental asset for electric energy generation and, therefore, indispensable for EDP, which invests continuously in actions and technologies that aim at preservation and efficiency in the use of materials. As a result, the Company consumed about 6.1% fewer water resources last year compared to in 2016.

Among the main measures, the Company has adopted solutions for the more efficient use of water in its administrative buildings inaugurated in the last few years. This is the case, for example, with the new headquarters of the Thermoelectric Plant in Pecém and the Poá Distribution Services Center (CSD), which have recycling and rainfall collection systems.

In addition, through the EDP Institute, the Group supports projects for the recovery of springs in Espírito Santo that work with small rural producers to protect the tributaries in the region. This is the case with the programs developed by the Terra Institute and the Amigos Society of Vale do Castelo (SAVAC), which up to 2017 has helped preserve 40 springs and train about 400 people.