What's Your Water Footprint?

Our nation's current trend toward an earth-friendly lifestyle has created a consumer awareness of the need to conserve water and other natural resources. We are familiar with methods of reducing our freshwater usage in regard to bathing, washing laundry, cooking, watering our lawn, and other household maintenance chores, but some consumers may not be aware that this is only a small part of the water we use daily. Just as we have a "carbon footprint" that measures our contribution to the greenhouse gasses that have an impact on global warming, we also have a "water footprint" that is a measure of our direct and indirect use of water.

Direct use of water refers to the water we actually use in our homes. The indirect use is "virtual water," which includes the volume of water used to grow crops and the processing required to bring those crops to our table, and in the manufacturing processes of the consumer goods we buy.

Your water footprint includes the water used in your home, and the water used in the production and manufacture of the food, goods and services you provide for your family.

Food crops grown with irrigation methods will have a higher water footprint that those which are not. The water already present in the ground is part of the water footprint. Once the food crop is grown, the water is no longer present in the crop. The virtual water used to grow that crop can vary due to agricultural practices and climate conditions. Knowing how much virtual water a crop needs can help growers determine the best method of producing the crop to use the least amount of freshwater, which is especially important in geographical locations where water is scarce.

Animals which are raised for food have a much higher water footprint than food crops. For instance, a pound of corn requires approximately 60 gallons of water to produce, while a pound of beef requires approximately 1500 gallons. The amount of water actually contained in a product is often minuscule when compared to the amount of water it took to produce it.

Other commodities and services demand the use of our virtual water resources in huge volumes. Manufactured products use virtual water in the preparation of the raw materials and in the production and transportation of the finished product.

Businesses and nations also have water footprints.

Businesses have a water footprint which includes not only the direct and indirect water used by the individual business at their location, but also the water footprint of their supply chain.

Nations have an internal and external water footprint. The internal footprint is a measure of all the domestic water used by individuals and businesses within that nation; the external footprint is a measure of the volume of water imported into the country in the form of goods and services. A nation's water footprint is offset by the amount of virtual water contained in the products and services that it exports.

Water is a key resource; we must ensure that we will have water fit for use for future generations.

As nations become more aware of the water footprint of the food crops produced and products manufactured within each country, water may be conserved by international trading. Countries with few water resources may choose to import products with large water footprints from countries where water is in adequate supply, instead of producing them domestically. This reduces the strain on available natural resources and allows the available water resources within that country to be put to other uses.

Businesses can reduce their water footprint and lessen their impact on the environment by making reasonable investments in projects that contribute to the equitable and sustainable use of water resources. Such projects might include implementing ways to conserve water run-off, prevent flooding with the use of rain gardens, or treating waste water.

As Americans become more environmentally-conscious, we've learned ways to reduce our direct freshwater consumption by such measures as taking showers instead of baths, washing our cars less often, landscaping with natural-habitat plants and grasses that require less watering, and installing low-flow toilets. Ways to reduce our virtual water footprint are less obvious at first, and often have the added benefit of conserving other natural resources, too:

Eat lower on the food chain.

Our doctors and nutritionists have been telling us for years to eat less meat and more fruits, grains, and vegetables anyway! Since it takes huge amounts of water to grow food animals as compared to food crops, this is one of the most effective ways to reduce your water footprint. Buy locally grown produce that is in season to reduce the virtual water use created by transporting products across the country. Avoid buying sodas, chips, and other processed foods.

Drive less often; walk, bicycle, or carpool instead.

It takes virtual water to manufacture gasoline and oil, and cars! Consumers are already finding ways to avoid paying high gas prices. One benefit of the current gas situation is that many of us are already inadvertently reducing our virtual water footprint, as well as reducing carbon emissions.

Buy fewer manufactured products.

Buying secondhand is losing its stigma and even becoming fashionable. Each already manufactured item you purchase, instead of buying new, is one less item that requires new production.

Ask local businesses about their water consumption.

Patronize businesses who are environmentally conscious and strive to conserve the natural resources they use in their business practices. For instance, ask your local carwash if they recycle their waste water. Give your business to those companies who share your eco-friendly views.

Switch from bottled water to tap water.

The water it takes to manufacture disposable bottles and transporting them can be conserved by using your own refillable bottle. You can use a water filter if you're uncertain of the quality of your local drinking water; the money you save not buying bottled water will pay for the water filter in a short time.

The average American has a water footprint of approximately 1200 gallons a day. Compare your water footprint to the average by visiting Waterfootprint.org and using their Individual Water Footprint Calculator to assess your own water footprint and to learn more about the water footprint concept.