Product Water Footprint

The Water Footprint Network based in the Netherlands is a non-profit foundation that connects with communities and partners interested in sustainable use of fresh water.   The organization believes that sustainable use of fresh water is a critical foundation for healthy lives and a healthy planet.  

The Water Footprint Network employs the water footprint as a method to measure how much water was used to produce each of the goods or services we consume.  The water footprint looks at both direct and indirect water use of a product and includes water consumption and pollution through the full production cycle.

There are 3 types of water footprint:

     1)  Green water footprint:  water from rain or precipitation.  It is relevant for agricultural, horticultural and forestry products.

     2)  Blue water footprint:   water from surface or groundwater.  It is relevant for irrigated agriculture, industry and domestic water use.

     3)  Grey water footprint:  amount of fresh water required to assimilate pollutants to meet specific water quality standards.

Let’s take a look at the water footprint for agricultural and farm animal products and determine if you can do your part to reduce your water footprint.  Remember every drop counts!