This study investigates the potential for potable water savings by using rainwater in a home in Blumenau, southern Brazil. The water end-uses were estimated based on frequency and time of use of the water appliances. The water flow rates were measured using containers and a stopwatch. Besides the estimated water consumption, daily measurements were taken using a water meter. The water consumption estimated was compared with the consumption measured and the water end-uses were obtained. The water for activities that did not require potable water accounted for 46.5%. This percentage was used as input data in the Netuno computer programme along with other parameters for the design of a rainwater harvesting system. The use of rainwater in the house, using a 2,000-litre tank, would provide potable water savings equal to 44.8%. This study demonstrated that there is a great potential for the use of rainwater in single-family houses in Blumenau.

这项研究调查了在巴西南部布卢梅瑙的一处房屋中使用雨水来节省饮用水的潜力。根据水器具的使用频率和时间估算水的最终用途。使用容器和秒表测量水流速。除了估计的用水量外，还使用水表进行日常测量。将估计的用水量与测得的用水量进行比较，得出水的最终用途。不需要饮用水的活动用水占46.5％。该百分比在Netuno中用作输入数据计算机程序以及其他参数，用于设计雨水收集系统。使用一个2000升的水箱，使用房屋中的雨水可节省相当于44.8％的饮用水。这项研究表明，在布鲁梅瑙的单户住宅中，使用雨水的潜力很大。