Determining Water Footprint
The water footprint of a nation is defined as the total amount of fresh water that is used to produce the goods and services consumed by the inhabitants of the nation. One way to determine the water footprint of an individual is to determine how much water is used by an individual, both directly and indirectly, over a certain amount of time. Direct uses include a person actively using the water from a water source. Indirect uses include the water needed for food consumed, products purchased, and water needed to support a person’s infrastructure such as electricity.
The global average water footprint during the period of 1996-2005 (Mekonnen and Hoekstra, 2011) was found to be 1385 m3/yr per person. There are large differences between countries. In the USA the average water footprint is 2842 m3/yr per person. In China the average water footprint is 1071 m3/yr per person. In Kenya, the average water footprint is 1101 m3/yr per person.
The water footprint of consumption in a country depends on two factors: what and how much do consumers consume and what are the water footprints of the commodities consumed. The latter depends on the production circumstances in the places of origin of the various commodities. Very low agricultural yields and associated large water footprints per unit of harvested crop in some developing countries explains why some poor countries have a relatively large water footprint of national consumption.
Average water footprint of national consumption in m3 per year per capita(person) in the period 1996-2005. Countries shown in green have a water footprint that is smaller than the global average; countries shown in yellow-red have a water footprint larger than the global average. Source:Mekonnen and Hoekstra (2011).Personal water footprint
Your personal water footprint is how much water you personally consume per year. Use either the online resource: http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=cal/WaterFootprintCalculator or http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/water-footprint-calculator/ to calculate your water footprint. A paper copy may also be used.
Before calculating your personal water footprint answer the following questions:
1. What do you think will contribute the most to your water footprint?
2. How could you reduce your personal water footprint?
After calculating your personal water footprint answer the following analysis questions:
1. What was your daily water average?
2. How does it compare to the national average, US 7,786 liters/day and Kenya 3,016 liters/day?
3. If there are differences between your water usage and your national average, what do you think is the most contributing factor?
4. What could account for water usage values that seem to be inaccurate?
5. What category required the most amount of water for your footprint? Did this surprise you?
6. After going through your water footprint data, list new ways (not previously stated) that you could reduce your water footprint.
7. Share your water footprint values and analysis with your Seattle or Vuria partner through email. After reading your partners water footprint values and analysis, write a reflection and share it with your partner based on the following guiding questions:
· How did your water footprints compare?
· What accounted for the major differences between them?
· What strategies did you both come up with for reducing your water footprint?
· What did you learn about the use of water from your parnters region?