Water Footprint

Water is at the most important point of life. Water is used in the production of almost everything such as the t-shirts we wear, glasses, meat and vegetables. At this point, in any sector, product production, waste management Water is of vital importance in processes such as. At this point, how much water is used during the production of the products used and what the water footprint is are also very important.

Water footprint is an indicator of the amount of freshwater used, looking not only at the direct water use of a consumer or producer, but also at the indirect water use. The water footprint of a product or process is the volume of direct and indirect freshwater used to produce the product or complete the process, measured across the entire supply chain.

What is a Water Footprint?

Water footprint is the most important measurement that evaluates the amount of water used in the production of a product or a process and the sources of this water. This measurement is life cycle It helps determine the resource use, pollutant effect and sustainability impacts of water by calculating the total amount of water used throughout the year.

Water footprint, Water footprint, (e.g. amount of water used in the product's production process) and indirect water consumption (e.g. the amount of water used in the production of the product's raw materials) including of two basic components This measurement is important to understand how water is a limited resource and how different industries, products and activities affect water resources. Our water footprint analysis will provide guidance for developing your water management strategy, using water more efficiently and protecting water resources.

Types of Water Footprints

Blue Water Footprint

The blue water footprint represents the total amount of surface and groundwater used during the production of a product or the performance of an activity. In other words, the blue water footprint represents the amount of freshwater directly consumed and evaporated. The concept of the blue water footprint is used to determine how much water is used for the production of a product, especially in the agricultural and industrial sectors. For example, how much water is consumed to produce one kilogram of rice or how much water is used during the production of a textile product is evaluated through this concept.

Calculating the blue water footprint is of critical importance for the sustainable management of water resources. Especially in regions where water resources are limited, conscious management of the blue water footprint plays an important role in preventing water crises and using water resources effectively.

Green Water Footprint

The green water footprint refers to the amount of water used by the evaporation of rainwater stored in the soil and plant transpiration during the production of a product or the performance of an activity. In other words, the green water footprint represents the total amount of water evaporated and transpired from the soil for plant growth. The concept of the green water footprint is used, especially in the agricultural sector, to determine how much rainwater is used to grow a product. For example, how much rainwater evaporates to grow one kilogram of wheat is evaluated through this concept. Green water is usually stored in the soil by natural precipitation and plants take this water through their roots. This water is necessary for plants to photosynthesize.

Calculating the green water footprint is important for developing sustainable agricultural practices and effectively managing water resources. This concept plays a critical role in the sustainability of agriculture, especially in arid and semiarid regions where water resources are limited.

Grey Water Footprint

Greywater footprint refers to the amount of water required to prevent wastewater generated during the production of a product or the performance of an activity from polluting natural water resources. In other words, greywater footprint represents the amount of water required to bring water quality to a certain standard. Especially in the industrial and agricultural sectors, the greywater footprint concept is used to determine how much water is required to neutralize the damage caused to natural water resources by pollutants originating from production processes. For example, this concept evaluates how much water is required to eliminate the pollution caused by pesticides or chemical fertilizers used during the cultivation of an agricultural product.

Calculating the grey water footprint is of critical importance for the protection of water quality and sustainable management of water resources. This concept is important for the protection of water resources, combating pollution and developing sustainable water management strategies.

How to Calculate Water Footprint?

Water Footprint is a tool that helps individuals, communities, businesses and governments measure their water consumption and impact. To understand the importance of this concept, we can examine the following topics:

• Global Water Crisis: Many regions around the world are facing water scarcity and water stress. Water footprints help us understand water consumption and use, allowing us to develop strategies to overcome this crisis.
• Sustainable Water Management: The water footprint helps us assess whether water resources are being managed sustainably, which is especially critical in regions where water resources are scarce.
• Conscious Consumption: Individuals and businesses can review their water consumption habits and make more sustainable choices through the concept of water footprint.
• Protection of Ecosystems: Overexploitation of water resources threatens natural ecosystems. The water footprint can contribute to the preservation of these ecosystems, helping to preserve biodiversity.
• Economic BenefitsEffective management of water resources provides economic benefits in sectors such as agriculture, industry and energy production.
• International Cooperation: Water resources are often transboundary resources that affect more than one country. The water footprint can form a basis for international cooperation and water diplomacy.
• Fighting Pollution: The water footprint can help us identify activities that pollute water resources and develop strategies to reduce this pollution.

The water footprint is a critical tool for protecting water resources, managing water sustainably, and combating the global water crisis. It helps individuals, communities, and governments understand and make informed decisions about water consumption and impact. Water is an essential resource for sustaining life. However, in a world moving toward a global water crisis, sustainable use of water is vital. The water footprint concept is central to this process, enabling individuals, communities, and industries to consciously manage their water consumption.

How to Calculate Water Footprint?

It is possible to calculate water footprints for individuals, products, sectors, cities and countries. ISO 14046 standards are used to define the water consumption required to sustain activities in production and business systems, that is, to calculate water footprints. ISO 14046 is an international standard that defines the principles and requirements for evaluating and reporting water footprints. With this standard, a product's water consumption can be observed and excessive water use can be prevented.

Corporate Water Footprint Calculation Steps

Corporate water footprint assessment generally consists of four stages. These are as follows:

1. Data Collection: The data template prepared within the scope of the data collection process ensures that all data belonging to the institution is collected. At this point, it is important to receive professional support.
2. Calculation: After the institutions' data are collected, calculations are made through inventory analysis in accordance with ISO 14046 standards.
3. Evaluation: Within the scope of the calculation, hot spots are determined from the water footprint results of the institutions. An evaluation is carried out in this direction. Being transparent during the evaluation phase is very important.
4. Verification: There may be a need for verification of the calculations performed by independent third parties.

Why Calculate Water Footprint?

The water footprint is a very useful tool for organizations today that want to know and report potential environmental impacts related to water. The water footprint and its application in companies has many benefits, among them environmental, economic or reputational.

Some of the benefits are as follows:

• It allows to assess the magnitude of possible water-related environmental impacts.
• It helps identify ways to reduce potential water-related impacts at different stages of the life cycle of products, processes and organizations.
• It facilitates water efficiency and optimization of water management at product, process and organizational level.
• It provides brand value and market positioning by providing reliable information on the sustainability of products to all stakeholders.
• Provides scientifically consistent and reliable information to inform about impacts from water use in an organization.
• It makes it possible to anticipate possible changes in legislation regarding water use and facilitates access to green financing sources:

Water Footprint Calculation according to ISO 14046

Water Footprint assessment is a process established in the ISO:14046 Standard, where principles, requirements and guidelines are established for an accurate footprint assessment from a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) perspective.
This analysis enables the determination of potential environmental impact or water-related impacts; includes relevant geographic and temporal dimensions; describes water consumption and changes in water quality; and uses hydrology information.

The ISO 14046 methodological framework is divided into different stages according to the requirements of the standard:

• Water footprint inventory study

Impact assessment of the water footprint (5.4) according to the impact categories determined in the ISO 14046 standard and the corresponding interpretation of the results (5.5)

• Water footprint – methodology

The perspective of the Water Footprint assessment should coincide with the Life Cycle Assessment principle. This principle dictates that the study should be carried out to the extent possible, i.e. from the source of all raw materials of the production process to the end of the process. This could be how a container is recycled. This life cycle approach can be applied in organizations in three ways:

• Water Footprint Assessment from Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Water Footprint Assessment from Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a product process
• Water Footprint Assessment from an organization’s Life Cycle Analysis (O-LCA)

For Water Footprint Calculations and consultancy services, you can contact us via the contact section.