The advent of ISO 24512:2007 arouses some interesting discussions regarding the operation of water supply systems worldwide. In Brazil, the majority of water treatment plants is conventional, with a complete cycle, generating complex waste of difficult handling and disposal. This paper aimed at critically evaluating the problem of residues from water treatment plants in Brazil by studying the feasibility of construction and use of some indicators, such as those recommended by ISO 24512. The vast majority of water treatment plants analyzed, reflecting a common framework in Brazil, does not measure the amount of waste generated, few evaluate their features and dispose the residues properly, which makes it difficult and in many cases may preclude the use of indicators as management tools. This scenario brings to the challenge faced in the sanitation sector, regarding the management of residues in line with the international standards.
management; indicators; ISO 24512; sludge; residues of water treatment plants; water treatment
