Lecture 13-VIRTUAL WATER & WATER FOOTPRINTS

Question 1

what is the difference between real and virtual water

Answer 1

Real water-
* Surface water, groundwater, rainwater
* Can be transported and traded
* Pipe networks
* Containers
* Bottles
* Ice
VIRTUAL WATER-
* “Unseen” water
* Total water used to produce a product
– Growing crops and fodder
– Animals to drink
– Processing food and drinks
– Manufacturing goods

Question 2

water footprint def

Answer 2

The volume of fresh water used to produce a product or services, summed over the various steps of the production (supply) chain (individual, community, country or region)

Question 3

National water footprint def

Answer 3

total amount of water used in the production of goods and services at the national scale

Question 4

BLUE WATER FOOTPRINT def

Answer 4

Consumption of fresh surface or groundwater. Taking into account
water that:
* Evaporates and transpires
* Is incorporated into the product
* Does not return to the same catchment area (but might return to
the sea or another catchment area)
* Does not return in the same period (might be withdrawn in a dry period
and returned in a wet period)

Question 5

GREEN WATER FOOTPRINT def

Answer 5

Consumption of water that refers to precipitation on land that does
not run off or recharge the groundwater but is stored in soil ore
temporarily stays on top of the soil or vegetation.
Taking into account water that:
* Evaporates and transpires from fields and plantations
* Is incorporated into the harvested crop or wood

Question 6

GREY WATER FOOTPRINT def

Answer 6

The grey water footprint (GWF) indicator assimilate of the water volume a pollutant load that is an needed to reaches a
water body. As an indicator of water resources appropriation through pollution, it provides a tool to help assess the sustainable, efficient and equitable use of water resources

Question 7

WHY BOTHER WITH WATER FOOTPRINTS?

Answer 7

• Create greater personal
  awareness and individual
  responsibility
• Encourage water conservation * – water-labelling of water- intensive products * Encourage informed trade of
  goods between nations
• Facilitates tradable water
  footprint permits
• Assist policy makers
  ?