The water footprint is representative of the amount of water that’s consumed, used and as well, polluted, by the human population (Water footprint Network, 2016). The water footprint does not only show the amounts of water that’s consumed and polluted, but also shows the locations at which this water is consumed and polluted. It is important to study water footprint as stated by Professor Arjen Y Hoekstra, the creator of the water footprint concept, emphasizes the study of water footprint, in order that such issues as water shortages and water pollution, may be understood relative to the production and supply chain as a whole. As per the Water Footprint Network, there are three types of water footprints. The first is the blue water footprint, and this entails all freshwater, relative to its evaporation from the ground so as to aid in the manufacture of the goods that are consumed within a particular community. The second one is the green water footprint; this entails the amount of water that in fact did evaporate from moisturized soil, more specifically during the incorporation of goods that had been in the soil. The final one is the grey water footprint, which is the amount of water that is polluted with respect to the manufacture of consumables, goods and services (Water footprint Network, 2016) According to statistics by the Water Footprint Network, a conservancy organization, an average American’s water footprint is 52,911 glasses of water. Recent reports by scientist Brian Richter show that an average of 2.7 billion people are affected by water scarcity for at least one month a year (The nature conservancy, 2016).
The Grace Water Footprint Calculator, generates 1447.5 gallons per day, as my water footprint results. On average, I use the following gallons of water per each one of my daily activities. My Bath shower usage is 20 gallons per day, for an interval of under 5minutes, as such, it is the product of a value of 4 minutes, multiplied by 5gpm. My bathroom sinks usage is 6 gallons per day, for an interval of under 4 minutes, as such, it is the product of a value of 4 minutes, multiplied by 1.5gpm. Further to that, my toilet usage is 16.5 gallons per day.
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The Personal Footprint Level Calculator, fixes my water footprint levels at 1157 gallons of water per day (Hoekstra et al, 2015). Further to that, the Easy Calculator estimates my water footprint levels to be 1324 gallons of water per day, but after having tabulated of my data (Easy calculator).
I used three different water footprint calculators and in each case, the results generated had notable variations. Primarily, the differences are attributable to the fact that the 3 water footprint calculators run independent to each other. As such, they not only use employ different questions to determine their outcomes, but also apply different algorithms with respect to the same. For instance, whilst one water footprint site calculates its responses relative to the time that one takes in the shower, the other is more preoccupied with establishing the number of times that one showers in a day. This is an obvious contributor to the variations in the results which they generate. Conversely, the three sites subject participants to similar questions, and these are based on such matters as to whether or not one flashes his loo and also, are based on the number of cups of tea and coffee that one consumes in a day, alongside the loads of clothes that one washes in a week. Therefore, the witnessed variations, are a direct result of the differences in the questions asked.
My personal water footprint is not acceptable at all, seeing as, on an annual average, it is very high as compared to that of any other average American’s. Wastages make a considerable contribution to my high personal water footprint and as such, I owe it to nature to use water more sparingly in order to conserve the ecosystem. It is alarming that my water footprint, even though it does not include the water in the foods that I eat and in the clothes that I wear, is such high.
The three sites generate data, all of which, acting in independent capacities, evidence the urgent need for me to reform my water consumption habits. I use a lot of water, domestically, and therefore, my personal water footprint is very high. Consequently, I believe that it is prudent for me to implement considerable changes in regard of my lifestyle. Going forward, I intend to never leave any taps running and also, to always urgently fix any broken taps. Neither will I do any more of my future cleanings using running water. This will help me both with saving water and with reducing my water footprint.
At more personal levels, this calculations has fostered my understanding of the global water problem, and more specifically, has improved my awareness relative to my personal contribution to the same. I have, thus, decided to cut my water consumption levels in order to lower my water footprint, seeing as this stands to impact the ecosystem positively.
References
Water footprint Network (n.d). What is water footprint . Retrieved from https://waterfootprint.org/en/water-footprint/what-is-water-footprint/
The nature conservancy (2016). Water footprint of America . Retrieved from https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/riverslakes/explore/water-footprint-of-america.xml
Arjen ,Y., Hoekstra, A.K. (2015). Chapagain and Mesfin M. Mekonnen, Personal Calculator, Retrieved from https://waterfootprint.org/en/resources/interactive-tools/personal-water-footprint-calculator/personal-calculator-extended/
Easy Calculator (n.d). Water Footprint Calculator . Retrieved from https://www.easycalculation.com/other/water-footprint-calculator.php
Grace communication foundation (2016). Water footprint calculator. Retrieved from https://www.gracelinks.org/1408/water-footprint-calculator
