Water Footprint Examples

Ignoring the water footprint of many products derived from its manufacturing process causes citizens to consume an excessive volume of water.

Water footprint examples. One kilo of beef 16 000 liters of water. In the usa the average water footprint per year per capita is as much as the water needed to fill an olympic swimming pool 2 842 cubic metres that is an average of 7 786 litres of water per person per day. We always welcome new partner organisations water footprint professionals and donors to our network who contribute each in their own unique way to the transition toward sustainable fair and efficient use of fresh water resources worldwide. For example the water footprint of 200 grammes of beef is the equivalent to 47 eight minute showers and uses four times more water than the same amount of chicken meat.

Extended water footprint calculator. The water footprint has a spatial dimension so it can be mapped. Personal water footprint in depth. The water footprint is the amount of water consumed by human activity as well as the assimilation capacity used the ability of a body of water to cleanse itself.

These are just some examples of products and water consumed to manufacture them. Examples of how each of these contributes to an item s total water footprint can be found in the water footprint network s product gallery. One liter of wine 870 liters of water. One cup of coffee 140 liters of water.

The impact of consumption of cotton products by citizens in eu25 on the world s water resources million m3 yr. The amount of freshwater required to dilute the wastewater generated in manufacturing in order to maintain water quality as determined by state and local standards. In china the average water footprint is 1 071 cubic metres per year per capita or 2 934 litres of water per person per day. To calculate your personal water footprint we also offer an extended calculator.

By choosing renewable energy being careful with purchases and moderating diets everyone can lessen their burden on water resources at home in town and around the planet. A blue water footprint is the volume of water that has been sourced from surface or groundwater resources lakes rivers wetlands and aquifers and has either evaporated for example while irrigating crops or been incorporated into a product or taken from one body of water and returned to another or returned at a different time. If a couple were to eat chicken instead of beef they would reduce their water footprint by as much as 450 000 litres over a year. One kilo of potatoes 287 liters of water.

It is not only measures the water we use from the tap but the hidden water used to produce our food energy clothes cars and other items. The water footprint calculator helps users figure out how big their water footprint is and helps them make informed choices by understanding that water is involved in all parts of their lives. Check out our extended personal water footprint calculator. One kilo of tobacco 2 925 liters of water.