Water Footprint: A Key Metric for Sustainable Water Management

• What is Water Footprint and Why is it Important?

  Increasing per capita water consumption, population growth, and industrial activities are putting more pressure on freshwater resources worldwide. In the past, water management was generally addressed at local, national, or river basin scales. However, as it became clear that freshwater resources are affected by global changes and globalization, many researchers started discussing these issues at a global level. In this context, the Water Footprint (WF) concept was developed to support sustainable water management. The concept was introduced by Twente University and the Water Footprint Network (WFN) and measures the amount of freshwater used throughout the supply chain, from raw material extraction to delivery to the consumer.

  Water footprint is divided into three types based on water usage:

  • Blue Water Footprint: Represents the total volume of surface and groundwater used. It includes water used in agricultural irrigation and industrial processes. High blue water footprint indicates significant use of surface and groundwater, which can exacerbate water stress. Proper management of blue water is crucial to prevent water crises.

  • Green Water Footprint: Refers to the volume of rainwater stored in soil and used by plants via transpiration. Agricultural products generally rely more on green water than blue water. Calculating green water footprint is important for sustainable agriculture and effective water management.

  • Grey Water Footprint: Indicates the amount of water needed to assimilate pollutants generated during production and processing. Grey water footprint tends to be lower in areas with limited industrial capacity.

  The total water footprint is the sum of blue, green, and grey components. Assessing both blue and green water footprints is critical to understanding overall water use and impacts, particularly in an era affected by climate change. Since freshwater availability is limited, it is essential to consider not only water volume but also its type, timing, and location. Water footprint provides this information and plays a key role in sustainable water management for future generations.

  Water Footprint Assessments

  Water footprint assessments can be conducted at different scales and sectors:

  • Process Water Footprint Assessment: Measures water use in industrial or business processes, including quantity, source, and quality. Helps businesses optimize water efficiency and develop strategies for sustainable use.

  • Product Water Footprint Assessment: Evaluates water used throughout a product’s life cycle, from raw material extraction to delivery. Identifies potential improvements for sustainable products.

  • Consumer or Community Water Footprint Assessment: Examines water consumption at household or community levels to promote efficiency and awareness.

  • Geographically Defined Area Assessment: Analyzes water use and impacts in a specific region (e.g., river basin, municipality, or province). Helps in sustainable management of local water resources.

  • National Water Footprint Assessment: Evaluates water use at the country level, including scarcity, management, consumption patterns, and water trade. Provides insight for sustainable water policies.

  Methods Used in Water Footprint Calculation

  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Covers all stages from raw material extraction to product end-of-life. Frequently used in construction and mining industries.

  • SWAT Model and Water Footprint Accounting: Used for large and complex watersheds to measure the effect of land management on water use in agricultural production.

  • Spatial Interpolation: Estimates water use in unsampled locations using data from different regions. Often applied in agriculture.

  • Ecological Footprint: Measures the biological area required for a population to live sustainably. Used in food production, fisheries, and livestock.

  • Water Footprint Assessment Manual & LCA: Uses formulations to volumetrically measure water use and pollution. Applied to various products like steel, cement, and glass.

  • Virtual Water Assessment: Accounts for water embedded in imported and exported products, reflecting water trade between countries.

  Each method provides a specialized approach for specific industries or sectors, supporting effective and sustainable water management.

  Strategies to Reduce Water Footprint

  Reducing water footprint involves different strategies for organizations and individuals:

  Organizational Strategies

  • Improving Efficiency:

    • Greywater recycling (reuse of water from sinks, showers, washing machines for irrigation or toilets).

    • Rainwater harvesting (collecting rainwater for various uses).

    • Smart monitoring technologies (pressure and acoustic sensors to detect leaks and minimize losses).

  • Clean Production: Designing processes that reduce waste, conserve water, and treat pollutants.

  • Supply Chain Management: Ensuring efficient water use throughout production and distribution.

  • Education and Awareness: Training employees, suppliers, and customers on water conservation and sustainable use.

  Individual Strategies

  • Water Conservation in Daily Life:

    • Turning off taps while brushing teeth (saves ~6 liters per minute).

    • Shortening showers (5-minute shower uses ~60 liters).

    • Fixing leaks (small leaks can waste up to 10,000 liters annually).

    • Using washing machines and dishwashers at full capacity (~40–150 liters saved per use).

  • Using Water-Efficient Devices:

    • Low-flow faucets and showerheads (save 20–30% annually).

    • Energy- and water-efficient appliances.

  • Awareness and Responsible Consumption:

    • Understanding personal water footprint to make informed decisions.

    • Choosing products with lower water footprint to support sustainable water use.

  Both organizational and individual actions are complementary and essential for protecting water resources and ensuring sustainable access for future generations.

  Water Footprint and Turkey

  Turkey is not a water-rich country, and with increasing population, industrial growth, and expanding cities, it is projected to face water scarcity by 2030. Sustainable water use and management are therefore crucial. Turkey’s water footprint can be analyzed in terms of production, consumption, and trade.

  Production Water Footprint

  • Composition: 64% green, 19% blue, 17% grey.

  • Sectoral distribution: Agriculture 89%, domestic 7%, industry 4%.

  Consumption Water Footprint

  • Composition: 66% green, 17% blue, 17% grey.

  • Agriculture accounts for 89% of the footprint; industry 6%, domestic 5%.

  Water Footprint of Exports and Imports

  • Exports: Most products are for local consumption, but some exports (e.g., dried apricots to Europe) impact water footprint abroad.

    • Unprocessed agricultural products: 6% of exports, 19% of export water footprint.

    • Textile: 20% of exports, 42% of export water footprint.

    • Processed agricultural: 4% of exports, 34% of export water footprint.

    • Minerals, glass, metals: 33% of exports, 5% of water footprint.

    • Machinery, vehicles, electronics: 30% of exports, 5% of water footprint.

  • Imports: Some consumption relies on imported water-intensive products.

    • Unprocessed agricultural products: 3% of imports, 60% of import water footprint.

    • Textile: 6% of imports, 14% of import water footprint.

    • Processed agricultural: 4% of imports, 18% of import water footprint.

    • Minerals, glass, metals: 49% of imports, 8% of water footprint.

    • Machinery, vehicles, electronics: 35% of imports, 8% of water footprint.

  Sustainable management of Turkey’s water resources is critical to prevent future shortages and ensure long-term water security. Detailed analysis of production, consumption, exports, and imports helps design effective policies and strategies for sustainable water management.