What You Need to Know About Water Footprint

Growing population and expanding areas of industrial activity have caused water resources to be used excessively and without thought for tomorrow. However, the effects on the planet of water used in both daily life and industrial activities should not be ignored. For this reason, individuals and companies need to become conscious of the concept of "water footprint," which shows the amount of water consumed and which group it belongs to.

What is a Water Footprint?

A water footprint, which is an environmental indicator system, measures the direct and indirect water consumption of individuals or companies. In this way, the impacts of businesses and individuals on water resources can be clearly seen. By calculating the water footprint, it is aimed to use water resources more efficiently and reduce environmental impacts.

Calculating the amount of clean water consumed or polluted through water footprint calculations also has an impact on the sustainable use and management of water resources. On the other hand, it also makes it possible to develop strategies for the protection of water resources and to take precautions against water scarcity.

What are the Types of Water Footprints?

Depending on where the water comes from and how it is used, the water footprint is evaluated in three groups: blue water footprint, green water footprint, and grey water footprint. The details of these three water footprint types are as follows:

Blue Water Footprint

It refers to the directly used surface and groundwater. It includes the amount of water consumed in industrial activities, agricultural irrigation, and domestic needs. It shows the amount of water consumed from lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and groundwater resources. The water amount used for factories' production processes, irrigation of agricultural products, and domestic consumption constitutes the blue water footprint.

Green Water Footprint

It determines how much of the rainwater stored in the soil is used. Here, it specifically refers to the total natural rainwater used for cultivating agricultural products. The green water footprint is calculated based on the amount of precipitation that does not runoff in any way and does not mix with surface or groundwater resources. For example, agricultural products growing only with rainwater without requiring irrigation is an example of a green water footprint.

Grey Water Footprint

It shows the amount of freshwater required to dilute the water pollution generated during the production process of various products or services. In other words, it is the amount of water needed to eliminate the damage caused to the environment by polluted water. Mixing dyes, chemicals, or various substances used in any factory with water cause water pollution. The amount of clean water required to dilute this pollution and reduce it to levels that will not harm the environment indicates the grey water footprint.

How is a Water Footprint Calculated?

In order to calculate the water footprint, first the required data must be collected. The methods used to calculate the blue water footprint, green water footprint, and grey water footprint differ from one another. The standard calculation methods for these three types of water footprints can be listed as follows:

• To calculate the blue water footprint, the total water use in cubic meters is divided by the total product amount in kilograms.

• To calculate the green water footprint, the total rainwater use in cubic meters is divided by the total product amount in kilograms.

• To calculate the grey water footprint, the pollutant load amount in kilograms is divided by the amount of water used for dilution in cubic meters.

• Adding up the blue water footprint, green water footprint, and grey water footprint figures shows the total water footprint.

To calculate the blue water footprint, you need the amount of water used in irrigation; to calculate the green water footprint, you need the amount of rainwater used for irrigation purposes; and to calculate the grey water footprint, you need the amount of water used for diluting polluted water.

Water footprints can be calculated at the level of individuals, businesses, countries, and products. If you want to learn your individual water footprint, you can answer the questions on the official websites of institutions such as the General Directorate of Water Management and find out the result in a short time. The water footprints of some of the products and foods we frequently use in daily life are as follows:

• 10 liters of water are used for 1 sheet of A4 paper,

• 15,000 liters for 1 kg of red meat,

• 2,400 liters for 100 grams of chocolate, and

• 140 liters for 1 cup of coffee.

How to Reduce the Water Footprint?

Both individuals and businesses using water resources efficiently can help reduce the water footprint. The prominent measures that can be taken to reduce the water footprint can be listed as follows:

• To reduce domestic water consumption, water-saving devices should be used in showerheads, toilets, and faucets. Leaking faucets should be repaired, and shower times should be shortened.

• Dishwashers and washing machines should be run at full load.

• Watering cans should be used instead of hoses for watering gardens or plants.

• Rainwater should be recycled as much as possible using rainwater collectors.

• Efficient irrigation methods such as drip irrigation should be used in agricultural activities.

• Agricultural crops that require less water should be preferred.

• Using the necessary systems to collect and use rainwater reduces the amount of freshwater used in agricultural activities.

• It is possible to treat and reuse the water used in industrial plants.

• A transition needs to be made to production techniques that require less water consumption.

• To minimize water use in the supply chain, purchasing of products and services should be carried out from sustainable sources.

• To reduce pollution, non-chemical natural cleaning materials that cause less harm to the environment should be used.

• Consuming less meat and choosing local and seasonal products allows you to save water.

Organizing campaigns, training programs, and implementing policy measures to raise society's awareness about water footprints can also significantly contribute to reducing the water footprint.

Why is it Important to Reduce the Water Footprint?

Freshwater resources, which exist in limited quantities on Earth, are rapidly depletion due to various factors, particularly industrial activities and domestic use. The main reasons that will make us act as soon as possible to reduce our water footprint as humanity can be listed as follows:

• Reasons such as the rapid growth of the human population and climate change increase the risk of water scarcity. While reducing the water footprint ensures the sustainability of water resources, it also makes it possible to leave a more livable world to future generations.

• Reducing the water footprint ensures the protection of both natural habitats and biodiversity, while minimizing negative impacts on ecosystems.

• Extracting water from underground, treating it, or logistics processes cause very high energy consumption, therefore increasing greenhouse gas emissions. In this sense, reducing the water footprint also means reducing the carbon footprint.

• Increasing water efficiency in both agriculture and industrial activities helps lower production costs.

• Particularly in areas where access to water is limited, a fairer and more equitable use of water can be possible.

• It prevents pollution of water resources to protect water quality.

Conscious actions regarding water consumption by individuals, as well as agricultural and industrial activity sectors, will both bring today's world to a better point and ensure that a more livable planet is left to future generations.

As QuickCarbon, we provide you with water footprint consultancy services in compliance with the ISO 14046 Standard. We support organizations in developing sustainable strategies on many issues, from providing water footprint trainings to company representatives, to water footprint assessment, data collection, and calculating and reporting water footprints. If you are also looking for a strong solution partner in measurement, which is the first step of reducing the water footprint, you can contact us.