amount of water used to make a product or to support the lifestyle of a particular person or group of people, including additional information to assess the full impact. For questions solely about the amount of water in a product please use [virtual-water] tag
Water footprint refers to the amount water used to make a product, provide a service, or support the lifestyle of a particular person or group of people. This includes water used by suppliers or manufacturers who create or supply components or necessary services.
The distinction between virtual-water and water footprint is that the first only refers to the amount of water used in a product. Water footprint is a much wider concept as it includes additional information to assess the full impact of the water usage, for example where the water is from, how it is used and when it is used.
More information:
Calculators:
Water footprint network - Various interactive tools/calculators
- Home water works calculator for US or Canadian households
- Watercalculator.org for US households
- National Geographic - Water footprint calculator for US households