What is a Water Footprint?
Did you know that the water footprint of an average person is around 3,000 to 5,000 liters every day? That’s equivalent to filling up a small swimming pool! By measuring our water usage, it is a critical concept to understand as we work towards sustainable living.
It can be used to assess the efficiency of water use in the production and consumption stages of a product, as well as to identify imbalances in water use between developed and underdeveloped countries.
Coffee is a perfect example of how our water footprint extends far beyond what we see on the surface. How much water is used to make one cup of coffee? The answer is staggering! A single cup of coffee requires 132 liters of water to produce. It includes the process from growing and processing coffee beans to packaging and transportation.
Water Footprint Calculator
The Water Footprint Network website has an interesting calculator that assesses your own water footprint. Just enter your country of residence, gender, dietary habit, and income, and voila! It gives you the amount of water imprint you are leaving on this earth.
It is an estimation based on the average consumption patterns of individuals in each country. Therefore, it may not be exact, but it is a useful tool that enables you to compare your water usage to the global average.
How to lessen our direct water footprint
Did you check out how much water you are using every day?
Now, let’s find out ways to lessen the size of your water footprint. We will start with direct water footprint, which measures the amount of water used directly, such as for washing and drinking. And this can also help to save your water bill at home!
1. How to save toilet water
① Simply place a 1-liter water bottle in the toilet tank to reduce flushing water by 20%
② Switch to a water-saving toilet and reduce water up to 50%
③ Check for toilet leaks by dropping paint into the water in your toilet tank. If water in the toilet bowl changes color, it’s time to fix the leak!
2. How to save water in the kitchen
① Add an aerator to your faucet and reduce water consumption by 20%
② Fix a dripping tap and save up to 15 liters a day
③ Turn off the tap and wash dishes in a tub of water to save 60%
3. How to save water when washing clothes
① Wash full loads: Wait until you have enough clothes to fill the washing machine
② Use a high-efficiency washing machine
③ Use a low-water setting: Most washing machines have a setting that allows you to use less water.
4. How to save water in the bathroom
① Take shorter showers
② Consider replacing or adding a water-saving shower-head
③ Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth
How to lessen our indirect water footprint
You may be surprised to learn that the amount of water you use directly is just the tip of the iceberg!
In fact, much of the water we consume comes from the products we use every day, such as the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and even our mobile phones. From production to disposal, the indirect water footprint of these items can be enormous.
Let’s find out how we can lessen our indirect water footprint!
- Consume more vegetables whenever possible!
Meat products involve more steps in manufacturing and consume more water in the process. For example, 1kg of beef requires 6 times more water to produce 1kg of rice.
- Choose tea over coffee!
The water footprint of a cup of tea is 27L, using 5 times less than coffee.
- Buy natural food over processed food products!
The water footprint of 1 kg of pineapple is 255L of water, compared to 1,300L for 1kg of pineapple juice
Final Thoughts
It is important to be mindful of our water footprint as the production, disposal, and use of products consume more water than we realize. By understanding the hidden water costs of products like coffee, we can take steps to reduce our water usage and make more sustainable choices.
Protecting the environment means protecting our own future. And small steps like conserving water while washing dishes or taking shorter showers can make a significant impact. Let’s all take part in protecting the Earth for a better future!
Learn more about Water Sustainability https://sunhakpeaceblog.com/what-is-clean-water-and-sanitation/
“Human beings and nature have an inseparable relationship”from Mother of Peace
Dr. Hak Ja Han, Founder of the Sunhak Peace Prize
