Have you ever considered how much water goes into your morning cup of coffee or your delicious bowl of soup at dinner? Would you be shocked to learn that a 100ml cup of coffee actually involves water consumption of almost 140 litres? This is your water footprint, a metric that measures the total water used to produce goods and services.
The concept of water footprint, first introduced by Professor Arjen Hoekstra in 2002, helps us understand the hidden costs of our consumption patterns and their effects on the environment. A water footprint is not just a measure of the water we see; it also includes the water we do not see, such as the water used in agriculture and industry. For instance, it takes approximately 1,000 litres of water to produce just one kilogram of wheat. These numbers are staggering, and they are a wake-up call for us to be aware of the impact of our choices on the environment.
The current landscape of water footprints
The current state of water footprints is alarming. The global water footprint is dominated by agriculture, which accounts for around 70% of the world's freshwater withdrawals. Particularly, animal-based food, such as meats, have a significant impact on water resources. For example, it takes around 15,000 litres of water to produce just one kilogram of beef. This highlights the need for ethical and sustainable agricultural practices and a shift towards more water-efficient food choices.
In addition to agriculture, industry and domestic use also contribute significantly to the global water footprint. The production of goods such as textiles, electronics, and paper products require substantial amounts of water. Furthermore, domestic use, including household consumption and personal hygiene, also has a significant impact on water resources. The average American, for instance, uses around 2840 cubic meters of water per year, with 20% of this water footprint being external, primarily in the Yangtze River Basin in China.
Daily drink choices and their water footprints
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks worldwide, but it has a large water footprint. It takes about 140 litres of water to produce one cup of coffee. This figure includes the water used for growing coffee beans, processing them, and brewing the coffee. Most coffee is grown in tropical regions where water scarcity can be severe. For example, Brazil and Vietnam, two of the largest coffee producers globally, face significant water challenges.
In contrast, tea has a smaller water footprint compared to coffee. A cup of tea requires about 30 litres of water. This difference is mainly due to the more efficient water use in tea plantations and less intensive processing. Thus, choosing tea over coffee can significantly reduce your water footprint.
Soft drinks, particularly those containing sugar, have surprisingly high-water footprints. For example, a 500ml bottle of soda/ carbonated drink requires about 170 litres of water. This is mainly due to the reliance on sugarcane, a highly water intensive crop. Some estimates put sugarcane’s water footprint at ~200 litres of water per kilogram, implying a water footprint of sugar at around 1500-3000 litres of water per kilogram.
Dairy vs non-dairy is another choice that affects your daily water footprint. Dairy milk has a considerable water footprint, with 1 litre of milk requiring almost 1,000 litres of water. Water is needed for growing feed crops for cows, as well as for drinking and processing. In contrast, plant-based milks such as oat milk (~50 litres of water / litre) or soy milk (~300 litres of water/ litre) are often seen as more sustainable alternatives.
Food choices and their water footprints
Besides the choices of drinks, one’s choice of food also has a strong impact on the daily water footprint. As articulated above, one of the most effective ways to lower your water footprint is by reducing your meat and dairy consumption.
Animal products, particularly beef and dairy, have some of the highest water footprints due to the large amounts of water required for feed production and animal sustenance. In contrast, a plant-based diet doesn’t have a second order impact on water footprint, and is also cruelty free, given the lack of large-scale factory animal farming.
The future of water footprints: Trends and predictions
The rapid advancement of machine intelligence and AI would have significant implications for water management. Autonomous systems powered by AI could optimise water use in agriculture, industry, and domestic settings, minimising waste and maximising efficiency. For example, AI-powered irrigation systems could use predictive analytics to anticipate water demand and adjust irrigation schedules accordingly. Similarly, AI-driven water treatment plants could adapt their processes to changing water quality and demand, ensuring a reliable supply of clean water while minimising energy and chemical usage.
A deeper understanding of ancient and traditional water management techniques would also lead to more optimal use of water. Several pioneers in India and abroad have already harnessed the power of natural rain water harvesting, soil preparation and natural farming methods to unleash the full power of nature in conserving water. The advent of new technologies such as use of coherent water – which promotes plant and soil health naturally – can also change the metrics of water usage back in favour of Mother Nature.
Conclusion
Water footprints are critical indicators of the hidden costs of our consumption and lifestyle. By making informed decisions, we can contribute to sustainable water management. Though the current landscape of water footprints points to a consumption-led culture that is insensitive to environmental impacts, with the help of technology, sustainable practices, and individual actions, we can reduce our water footprints and ensure a more water-secure future.
The article is written by Madhusudan Rajagopalan, CEO, Analemma Coherent Water
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