Huella Hídrica de productos regionales: el caso de la cachama blanca (Piaractus brachypomus)

In response to the demand for water resources, the ecological indicator “Water Footprint” appears, which is measured in terms of the water consumed and / or contaminated per liter of water / kg / harvest. The Water Footprint helps to optimize the use of water resources by reducing water changes, increasing planting densities, employing closed systems with recirculation and / or green water technologies. For the calculation of the Water Footprint in fish ponds in the Piedmont Llanero, the climatology, meteorology and hydrological regime in the municipality of Restrepo-Meta-Colombia were characterized. Calculations of potential evapotranspiration were carried out, as well as effective precipitation. The volume necessary for the assimilation of the contaminants by the water bodies and the virtual water for the elaboration of the concentrate was also considered. For the cultivation of white cachama (Piaractus brachypomus), a Water Footprint of 3848.5 L of water / kg / harvest was calculated, a value lower than that reported for other fish cultures and, even, for other agricultural activities. It was also found that the Indirect Water Footprint (2913.3 L / kg) is the one that contributes the most to the total value of Water Footprint. This demonstrates the difference in water consumption in cachama production, bringing it closer to a sustainable production system.