What is the Water Footprint and How does it Impact the Environment?

The water footprint is a concept that has gained relevance in recent years due to growing concerns about the unsustainable use of water in human activities. This indicator measures the volume of freshwater used to produce goods and services, helping us better understand the environmental impact associated with the consumption of this vital resource.

In this article, we explore what the water footprint is, its different types, and how its excessive use impacts the environment.

What is the Water Footprint?

The water footprint is a measure that calculates the total water used in all stages of a product's life, from production to consumption and disposal. This footprint not only considers the water used directly, such as in manufacturing processes, but also the water needed to grow materials, transport products, and process them.

The water footprint is classified into three main types:

1. Blue water footprint: Surface or groundwater extracted and not returned to the same body.
2. Green water footprint: Rainwater stored in soil and evaporated during plant growth.
3. Grey water footprint: The volume of water required to dilute pollutants to meet quality standards.

To better understand how these types of water footprints impact the environment, it's important to delve into each of them.

Why is the Water Footprint important?

A high water footprint depletes water sources, degrades ecosystems, and exposes companies to sanctions and market blockages. A deterministic example: one kilogram of beef requires 15,400 liters of water, while one kilogram of legumes requires 4,300 liters.

Quantifiable effects

• Loss of biodiversity: Reduction of up to 75% of aquatic species in overexploited basins.
• Social impact: Rural communities may spend 20% of their income on bottled water when wells dry up.
• Business cost: Interruptions due to water stress add up to USD 301 million annually for the global textile industry (average 2020–2024).

The impact of the Water Footprint on the Environment

The impact of the water footprint is significant, especially when there is excessive or inefficient use of water. As global water demand grows due to population increase and industrialization, managing this resource sustainably becomes more challenging.

One of the most severe impacts of a high water footprint is the destruction of aquatic ecosystems. Rivers, lakes, and aquifers can be depleted or polluted by excessive water extraction. This affects not only aquatic species but also human communities that depend on water for consumption and agricultural development.

If you want to learn how to calculate and assess the environmental impact of products, we invite you to read more in our article: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): How to Evaluate the Environmental Impact of a Product.

How is the Water Footprint measured?

To measure the water footprint, the ISO 14046:2014 standard or the Water Footprint Assessment (WFA) methodology is applied in four steps:

1. Scope: Define system boundaries.
2. Accounting: Quantify Blue, Green, and Grey Water Footprints (m³).
3. Impact assessment: Transform volumes into scarcity and pollution indicators.
4. Response: Design and implement reduction strategies.

The importance of measuring the Water Footprint

Measuring the water footprint of products and activities allows us to identify areas where water consumption can be reduced. It's a crucial measure in a world where freshwater is becoming an increasingly scarce resource.

Calculating the water footprint involves analyzing the different stages of a product's life cycle. For example, in the textile industry, large amounts of water are used to grow cotton, dye fabrics, and process them. Reducing the water footprint in this industry involves seeking alternatives that use less water at all production stages.

For companies, measuring the water footprint can lead to implementing strategies to optimize water use and improve the efficiency of production processes.

If you want to delve deeper into the topic, you can read our article: How to Measure the Water Footprint in Companies.

Why is the Water Footprint important in the context of sustainability?

Sustainability not only refers to reducing the carbon footprint but also to the responsible use of other natural resources, such as water. Adopting a sustainable approach to water management is essential to ensure that future generations have access to this vital resource.

In agriculture, for example, efficient water use can have a direct impact on food production and environmental health.

If you want to learn more about how the water footprint affects agriculture and how to optimize its use in crops, we invite you to consult our article: Water Footprint in Agriculture: The Impact of Water Use on Crops.