Water Wednesday: Have you checked your water footprint?
More water restrictions have been imposed in certain areas around the country. Have you checked how much water you use regularly?
With the world’s population increasing every year, many countries are suffering from water shortages and South Africa is one of them. A number of areas around the country have been subject to water restrictions. Part of decreasing your daily water usage is understanding what your individual water footprint is.
Many people are familiar with ecological footprints which measures how much of the earth’s resources is used by individuals on a regular basis. Water footprint works with the same principle.
The amount of fresh water around the world is quite limited; it is either salty ocean water or frozen in polar ice caps. This is why it has become increasingly important to be water wise and aware of how much water you consume.
Actions like taking shorter showers and fixing leaking taps are known as direct water uses. Hidden and virtual water uses refer to indirect actions like the milk we drink and clothes we wear which also requite water in their production.
Besides taking direct action around your home in curbing the amount of water used, it is equally vital to be aware of how much water the products you consume and apply the same principle of being water wise to that as well.
Here are some indications of “hidden” or “virtual” water usages:
Based on your country of residence and your own consumption pattern, you will have a unique water footprint. Factors such as income, meat consumption and products are used in calculating your water footprint. Please feel free to use the footprint calculator to assess your own water footprint here.
Images supplied by Rand Water.
