Water Footprint: A Review Based on Concepts, Methods, and Implications

Abstract

Water footprint assessment has become a useful method for assessing how much water is used by products and activities related to humans, offering insights into how water resources might be managed sustainably. While agricultural production accounts for the majority of water consumption worldwide, the industrial and residential sectors also use large amounts of water and cause pollution. This review article provides an examination of the approaches and uses of water footprint assessment in a range of industries and geographical areas. The notion of water footprint and its elements green, blue, and grey water footprints as well as the corresponding computation techniques are introduced at the outset of the work. The most recent developments in spatially explicit modelling and life cycle assessment techniques, it examines the development of water footprint assessment procedures. The paper explores the many uses of water footprint assessment, from consumer items and urban water management to industrial operations and agricultural output. It provides case studies and real-world examples that show how water footprint analysis may be applied practically to address issues with pollution, water shortages, and sustainability in various settings. The study also looks at the difficulties and constraints that come with assessing the water footprint, such as methodological uncertainty, data availability, and temporal and geographical variability. It talks about current studies as well as potential paths forward for improving the reliability and usability of water footprint measurement instruments. As a comprehensive and integrated method for measuring and controlling the effects of human-induced water usage on regional and global water resources, this study concludes by highlighting the importance of water footprint assessment. In order to promote sustainable water management practices, it highlights the necessity of multidisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder involvement. Keyword: Water Footprint, Sustainability, Life Cycle Assessment, Spatial Analysis.