Virtual Water

Did you know that only six percent of water goes to drinking, washing and other household uses? According to an article in the January edition of Landscape Architecture magazine, the other 94 percent is virtual water, or the amount of water it took to make the products we consume each day.

An article in Mother Jones magazine titled, “What’s Your Water Footprint,” had some interesting facts to share. Did you know that a cotton T-shirt requires 719 gallons of water to manufacture? Or that a pint of beer takes 20 gallons of water to make before you can enjoy it. Never mind that the trip to the pub wouldn’t happen if not for the mid-sized car that uses 39,090 gallons.

Most people interested in sustainable design are familiar with the term carbon footprint. But what about analyzing how to minimize a person’s/ business’/ community’s/ water footprint?

Waterfootprint.org defines a water footprint as, “The total volume of freshwater that is used to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or community or produced by the business.” Want to know what your water footprint is? Check out the easy calculator available here.

Knowledge does have the power to transform the way we think. Conference opportunities to learn more about virtual water have sprung up all over the world. Can’t make it to the next one in the Netherlands in mid-February? Not to worry, there’s one in San Francisco later that same month. “Water Scarcity Risks & Footprints in the Supply Chain” will take place February 25-26.

While I’d like to attend, I’m going to wait until there’s one closer to Indiana. I can only imagine the huge number of gallons it takes for a plan to fly. If you’re headed there, let me know. I’d love to learn more myself.

Tags: Sustainable Design, Virtual Water, water quality, Waterfootprint.org

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