Water Footprint of Products
The water footprint of a product is the total volume of freshwater used to produce the product, summed over the various steps of the production chain. The water footprint of a product refers not only to the total volume of water used; it also refers to where and when the water is used (Source: WFN Glossary). The Water Footprint Network maintains a global database on the water footprint of products: WaterStat
An individual’s daily diet of fruits, vegetables and grains requires more than 1,500 litres (396.3 US gal) of water, as compared to 3,400 litres (898.2 US gal) needed for a daily diet rich in animal protein. Research by the Cranfield University calculated the amount of water required to produce various common foods in the United Kingdom:
| Product | Amount in Litres | Amount in Gallons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup of tea | 32.4 l | 8.6 US gal |
| 1 imperial pint of beer | 160 l | 42.3 US gal |
| 1 glass of wine | 120 l | 31.7 US gal |
| 1 glass of milk | 200 l | 52.8 US gal |
| 1 kilogram (2.2 lb) of beef | 15,000 l | 3,962.6 US gal |
| 1 kilogram (2.2 lb) of poultry | 6,000 l | 1,585.0 US gal |
| 250 grams (8.8 oz) packet of M&M's | 1153 l | 304.6 US gal |
| 575 grams (20.3 oz) jar of Dolmio pasta sauce | 202 l | 53.4 US gal |
For more product water footprints: see the Product Gallery of the Water Footprint Network
Read more about this topic: Water Use
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