Water footprint: strategies to reduce consumption

What is the water footprint and how to reduce it with saving and reuse techniques

We often hear about the water footprint—how important it is to reduce it in order to lessen the impact of our choices on the planet and ensure a better future for our environment. But what exactly is it? How is it calculated, and what can be done to lower it?

The water footprint refers to the amount of water resources used (by a country, city, continent, or even globally) to produce the goods and services consumed by the population. Put simply, it's all the water we use—both directly and indirectly.

In this article, we take a closer look at how it's measured and which strategies and technologies can help reduce waste and consumption.

What is the water footprint?

As mentioned, the water footprint is the total volume of freshwater used to produce goods and services. It is composed of three main elements:

• Blue water footprint: water taken from surface or groundwater sources.
   
• Green water footprint: rainwater stored in the soil and used by plants.
   
• Gray water footprint: water required to dilute pollutants and bring water quality back to environmental standards.
   

As stated on the European Commission’s website, “we tend to think the water we consume is just what comes out of our faucets, but we often ignore the water we don’t use directly. Indirect water use is needed to produce the goods and services we consume, such as the food we eat or the clothes we wear. This is called ‘virtual water’—the total volume of water needed to produce and process a product or service. A person’s water footprint can therefore be viewed from both direct and indirect perspectives, calculated across all goods and services consumed in a country.”

From this perspective, as the Commission also highlights, “European citizens have a very high water footprint—not only because of the number of products consumed compared to developing countries, but also because they consume water that isn’t even located in Europe. Most of the water we consume is embedded in goods imported from other continents.”

Water footprint is typically measured in volume per unit of time, usually in cubic meters per year (m³/year).

And what about Italy?

As reported by a2a, “Italy ranks first among EU countries in terms of total freshwater withdrawn for drinking purposes from surface or groundwater bodies.” We have a lot of water available, and we use a lot: “on average, each person in Italy uses 422 liters of water per day, totaling over 25.1 million cubic meters nationwide.”

This shows how water footprint is not only about direct consumption, but also indirect. According to Legambiente, Italy withdraws 33 billion m³ of water per year; due to a 22% loss in the network, we actually consume about 26 billion. But our total water footprint is around 130 billion m³ per year, one of the highest in Europe, with 60% related to water used for imported products or ingredients.

To understand this better: producing 1 kg of cheese requires up to 3,000 liters of water, 1,710 liters for 1 kg of pasta, and 13 liters for a single tomato.

Why is reducing the water footprint important?

With such high consumption levels—and a growing global population—it’s clear why reducing our water footprint is essential.

Water is a limited resource, and its excessive use leads to water stress and significant environmental impacts. In industrial settings, water usage is typically high and often inefficient.

Reducing the water footprint means contributing to environmental sustainability, lowering operating costs, and enhancing corporate reputation. Additionally, governments are increasingly enforcing stricter regulations on water use and treatment in industrial sectors, making compliance a necessity to avoid penalties and stay competitive.

Water-saving technologies in industrial settings

In industries and agriculture, where large volumes of water are used daily, many strategies can help reduce the use of fresh water, purify it, and reuse it efficiently. Industrial sectors can implement several solutions to optimize water use:

• Sensors and monitoring systems: IoT technology enables real-time tracking of water usage, helping to detect leaks, inefficiencies, and optimize overall consumption.
   
• Closed-loop production processes: allow water to be reused within the production cycle, reducing withdrawals from external sources and minimizing environmental impact.
   
• Rainwater collection and reuse: collecting rainwater for industrial use decreases reliance on conventional sources and leads to significant savings.
   
• Use of treated wastewater: advanced treatment systems, like those provided by IDRO Group, enable recovery and reuse of industrial wastewater, improving efficiency and reducing reliance on potable water. These systems reintroduce treated water into the production cycle, lowering both environmental impact and operational costs.
   
• Filtration and desalination technologies: reverse osmosis and membrane filters improve water quality and allow recovery from non-traditional sources.
   
• Biofiltration systems: use of microorganisms and constructed wetlands to improve water quality and make it reusable for industrial purposes.
   
• Automation and process optimization: advanced management software adjusts water use based on real-time needs, reducing waste and enhancing efficiency.
   

Water footprint in homes and daily life

Beyond industry, households and daily habits also have a major impact on the water footprint. Domestic water use includes drinking, cooking, bathing, cleaning, and watering gardens. Fortunately, many of these uses can be optimized with simple habits and smart tools:

• Low-flow devices: faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, and dual-flush toilets can cut water use by up to 50%.
   
• Rainwater harvesting: tanks for collecting rainwater can be used for irrigation or toilet flushing.
   
• Mindful water use: simple practices like turning off the tap while brushing teeth, running dishwashers and washing machines only when full, and opting for short showers instead of baths can save large volumes of water.
   
• Choosing fresh, unprocessed foods: industrial foods often require large amounts of water to produce. Fresh produce generally only needs water to grow. Reducing meat consumption and drinking tap water also helps lower your water footprint.
   
• Reusing household water: water used to wash vegetables can be reused for watering plants. Greywater from showers and sinks can be treated and reused for non-potable applications.
   
• Fixing leaks: regular checks and timely repairs of plumbing systems can prevent significant water waste.

IDRO Group’s commitment to better water resource management

Reducing the water footprint is becoming an urgent priority—for both businesses and households. Embracing innovative technologies and water reuse strategies delivers both environmental and economic benefits.

Investing in water-saving solutions is a smart move toward a more sustainable future. Raising awareness among employees, families, and local communities also strengthens collective action and improves environmental impact.

IDRO Group is constantly working to promote the sustainable use of water through the development and implementation of innovative, efficient technologies and by encouraging responsible water management practices.

The company supports both public and private initiatives, collaborating with businesses and institutions to foster awareness and tangible efforts to safeguard this vital resource. IDRO Group is committed to optimizing water management, as shown by its participation in the UN Global Compact and its ESG Certification.

The core of IDRO Group’s business is designing and delivering effective, customized solutions for water treatment and management, using cutting-edge systems that help reduce water consumption and environmental impact.

Contact IDRO Group today to find the solution that fits your needs and start reducing your company’s water footprint right away. A more sustainable future starts now.