Types of water footprint
If we look further into it, there are three types of water footprint that we are aware of depending on where the water comes from:
What is a water footprint and why is it important?
An environmental indicator to consider
Did you know that everything we consume requires water? From the food that we eat to the clothes that we wear, it all requires this fluid at some point in the cultivation or production process.
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What is a water footprint?
A water footprint is an environmental indicator that measures the volume of fresh water needed to produce the goods and services demanded by society. It enables us to determine the magnitude of the impact generated by human activity and obtain objective data. More sustainable decisions can then be made to reduce the consumption of water and increase water efficiency.
The concept of "water footprint" was coined in 2002 by the researchers A. Hoekstra and M. Mekonnen from the University of Twent in The Netherlands. According to the Water Footprint Network's ranking, currently the top five countries with the largest water footprint per capita are:
According to official organizations in Spain, the main productive sectors (agriculture, livestock, forestry, industry, etc.) across its different regions represent an "intense" use of water, amounting to 6,700 liters per person per day.
So, what is known as a water footprint? In order to calculate this, the internal water footprint (the water used for producing goods and services consumed by the population) and the external water footprint (the water used in other countries to produce good and services) were taken into account.
Types of water footprint
If we look further into it, there are three types of water footprint that we are aware of depending on where the water comes from:
Green footprint (rain)
This is the water that is superficially stored in the soil or on plants such as water from rain or snow. A green water footprint calculates the volume of water used in agricultural, horticultural, and forestry products.
Blue water footprint (fresh water)
This is the water stored in large masses, from surface or groundwater sources, such as rivers, lakes, and aquifers. A blue water footprint calculates the volume of water consumed resulting from irrigated agriculture, industry, and domestic use.
Gray water footprint (water quality)
This last type refers to the volume of fresh water required to dilute the load of pollutants from production processes until a concentration below the maximum allowed by the regulations in force is achieved.
On the one hand, the Water Footprint Network's methodology is based on calculating the water used (including the water needed to dilute the discharge of pollutants to meet environmental standards). In this case, there are three different types of water footprint as previosuly seen: blue and green for quantifying the consumption of water and gray to calculate the pollution level.
On the other hand, the ISO 14044 standard's methodology is an environmental tool for assessing the impact a product, packaging, or process has throughout its entire life cycle. It's divided into four phases:
Regardless of the methodology chosen to calculate the water usage, it's very important to check each link of the production and supply chain to ensure that the results are as objective as possible. Thanks to these calculations, a realistic representation is obtained in order to take specific actions aimed at achieving a more sustainable use of water.
Tips for reducing the water footprint of individual consumers: