Abstract The reuse is a growing practice in Brazil, given its relevance in minimizing the water scarcity. However, the environmental consequences and its sustainability have not been completely elucidated, being the risk perception analysis a starting point for understanding such concerns. In this perspective, the aim of this study was to evaluate the operation of Sewage Treatment Plants, the applicability of sewage reuse, and its influence on the quality of life of the population of Parelhas and Pedro Velho, counties of the semiarid and northeastern coast, respectively. From the results, it was found a great rejection in the operation of the stations, associated with the impacts produced such as odor and proliferation of mosquitoes, which imply economic, social and public health problems. Regarding reuse, acceptance is predominant for irrigation of crops for human and animal use. We emphasize the need for further research to diagnose the environmental risks arising from this activity.
ABSTRACT Water deficit is a current problem of global relevance. This is a problem in Brazil, especially in the Semiarid region, which undergoes severe droughts for much of the year. This requires the search for alternatives, such as the planned wastewater use, which is a successful alternative in developed countries that is applied for various purposes, including agriculture. However, despite the increasing growth of agriculture in Brazil, there are no established control and monitoring policies to minimize its impacts on the environment and human health. The country does not have specific legislation that defines wastewater quality parameters for domestic sewage. The objective of this work was to compile international guidelines and legislations that address this issue and compare them with the national normative resolutions for quality of wastewater and its different uses. The most relevant and locally applicable parameters described in these documents were listed, and the reference limits were defined by comparing them with those found in the scientific literature applied to the Brazilian context. This compilation represents the first step towards the incorporation of regulations for water reuse, having the Brazilian Semiarid region as a first test field, but with expandable application to different regions of the country.