Our water footprint: understanding Europe’s hidden water use

Water is a critical resource, not only for our direct consumption but also for nearly every product we use and consume. The concept of a water footprint measures the amount of freshwater we use to produce goods and services and is increasingly important given concerns over water scarcity, climate change, and overconsumption.

What is a water footprint? 

A water footprint measures the total volume of freshwater used directly and indirectly by individuals or communities. It encompasses water used in daily activities such as drinking, showering, and the production of food, clothing, and other goods. 

Green water footprint: The amount of rainwater used (either consumed or evaporated) in direct or indirect water use. This is particularly high in agricultural production.

Blue water footprint: The amount of freshwater used (either consumed or evaporated) in direct or indirect water use.

Grey water footprint: The volume of freshwater needed to dilute pollutants so that water quality standards are met. This is a feature of many industries, such as fuel, agriculture, and fashion.

Producing everyday items often involves a substantial amount of water. For instance, making a cotton T-shirt or creating a kilo of chocolate. Below are the industries with the highest water footprints. 

Agriculture

Agriculture is the largest consumer of water, with extensive use in irrigation, livestock maintenance, and food processing. For example, producing a kilogramme of beef requires around 15,000 litres of water, due to the large amount of water needed to grow feed for livestock. In addition, it takes 17,000 litres of water to produce a kilo of chocolate. According to statistics from 2019, Europe produced 3.7 million tonnes of chocolate, which equates to