B 2.7. What are the regulations for the use of water in the industrial processing of sugar-cane into ethanol and sugar?
The sugar-cane industry in the Center-South region of Brazil displays an extremely low mean consumption of water per ton of sugar-cane produced and processed (compared to other regions around the world). Practically all industrial systems are closed, with a high recycling level. In agriculture, sugar-cane crops are not irrigated (almost all of the water they use is rain water) (see item B3. 1). The use of surface or underground water is controlled by the State, depending on a permit granted by the relevant environmental agency. In the State of So Paulo, that permit is granted by the Department of Waters and Electric power, under State Decree no. 41,258/96. In addition, in 2007 the State of So Paulo will start billing users of water resources for the water volumes they collect and consume, as well as the effluents with organic contents that they release. That billing will take place under State Law 12,183/05, as regulated by State Decree no. 50,667/06. The billing will be performed in a
