Water Footprint

WHAT IS WATER FOOTPRINT?

The water footprint concept was developed by the University of Twente in the Netherlands and the Water Footprint Network-WFN. Water footprint, which is a measure of the amount of fresh water required to produce a good or service across the entire supply chain; covers the entire process from raw material processing to direct operations and consumer use of the product. Thus, the water footprint concept takes into account both direct water use and indirect water use in the production process.

The first water footprint studies, similar to virtual water studies, were carried out to reveal the water resources throughout the country and the amount that will directly meet the water needs in production. The popularity of water footprint studies is increasing. It has also been used by the private sector in examining the supply chains of companies, carried out specifically for products, companies, or commercial goods.

Water Footprint is measured by the amount of water consumed (including evaporation) and/or polluted per unit time. The water footprint of an individual, community, or business; is the total amount of clean water resources used for the production of goods and services consumed by the individual or society or used by the producer for the production of goods and services. (Water Footprint Network, 2012)

The concept of water footprint is an alternative indicator of water use. The water footprint, which examines the amount of water consumed rather than the amount of water withdrawn from the system, differs from traditional water statistics in this sense (Hoekstra, 2003).

Blue, green, and gray water footprint; are the three components in the water footprint that represent water use and quality.

The Blue Water Footprint is used for the total volume of surface and underground freshwater resources needed to produce a good and is traditionally the water resource that comes to mind when freshwater is mentioned. These sources are especially used in calculations of industrial, domestic, and agricultural water consumption.

The Green Water Footprint is the total amount of rainwater used in the production of a good. However, this green rainwater is not lost or mixed with groundwater; it is stored in the soil or above the ground for a while. Climate change should also be taken into account when assessing the green water requirement of a region, as the amount of precipitation affects green water supply and demand. These resources are especially used in horticulture, forestry, and agricultural water consumption calculations.

The Gray Water Footprint is an indicator of pollution. It refers to the amount of fresh water used to eliminate or reduce the pollution load, based on current water quality standards. Therefore, the concept of gray water is considered about population and industrial growth. It is included in the calculations as the volume of clean water required to bring the polluted water to the standards of the receiving environment.

Water Footprint Assessment

The purpose of water footprint assessment studies; The aim is to analyze the relationship of human activities or the production of certain products with water pollution and water scarcity, and to make these activities and products more sustainable from a water perspective.

When making water footprint assessment;

1. The activity and the limits of the activity for which the water footprint will be calculated are determined.
2. The water footprint of a process, product, producer or consumer, or a specific geographical area is calculated.
3. The environmental, social, and economic sustainability of the water footprint is evaluated.
4. A strategy is created according to the calculation results.

The ISO 14046 Standard has been developed by ISO, which guides the Calculating of the Water Footprint. Businesses can reveal their Water Footprints by working according to the ISO 14046 Standard. For the Water Footprint calculated as a result of this process to be accepted internationally, the verification process is carried out by receiving services from the organizations that provide verification services on ISO 14046.

What are the Advantages of the Water Footprint Standard?

• It analyzes the risks to future water consumption and prepares the organizations within this framework.
• It increases the quality of the product at method and institution levels.
• It enables information and best practices to be shared with industry and administration.
• It helps organizations to meet customers' demands for more environmental responsibility.
• Methods to reduce the environmental impact of water use are determined

Recommendations for Reducing the Water Footprint for Companies

• First of all, it should have the understanding to analyze the problems related to water resources in terms of economic, social, and environmental aspects.
• Determine the amount of water consumption, its impact, and risks across supply rings.
• By measuring their water footprints, they should take action to minimize their impact in watersheds that are currently experiencing water scarcity or may live in the future.
• It should support international conventions that guarantee access to water, which is a fundamental right for people and nature.
• Going beyond minimizing their water footprint effects, decision-makers should collaborate with other companies, academics, and non-governmental organizations for the sustainability of water resources.

Ulus Mühendislik Çevre Danışmanlık, with its expert team, carries out Water Footprint studies, which is one of the environmental impact parameters. Water Footprint indicates the total amount of clean water used in the production and consumption activities of a product and the rate of pollution that occurs.