In a world increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability and responsible management of natural resources, the water footprint has become a crucial indicator for assessing the impact of water on various industries and human activities.
For this reason, in this specific section, we will delve into the world of water footprint and explore its relevance in the real estate sector.
Throughout a series of articles, we will discuss how water impacts the construction, use and maintenance of real estate properties and infrastructure.
We will explore ways to reduce the water footprint and encourage sustainable practices for responsible water management.
What is the water footprint?
The water footprint is an environmental indicator that measures the volume of freshwater used directly or indirectly along the entire production chain of a good or service.
It is expressed in terms of volume of water consumed (liters or m3) and takes into account both water used from surface and groundwater sources and water evaporated or polluted during the process.
Types of water footprint:
There are different types of WH that contribute to assessing the impact of water on production.
Blue WH refers to water used from groundwater or surface water resources. groundwater or surface water resources..
During the production of a good, this water may evaporate, be incorporated into the product or be discharged into the sea.
This category includes water used in agriculture, industry and domestic consumption.
Green WH, on the other hand, is related to rainfall water that is stored in the ground. precipitation water that is stored in the soil, especially in the root zone.This type of water footprint takes on a greater importance than that of the green water footprint, which is stored in the soil, especially in the root zone, and subsequently evaporates, transpires or is absorbed by plants.
This type of water footprint is particularly relevant in the production of agricultural, horticultural and forestry products.
In addition, the gray HH must be taken into account, which indicates the amount of fresh water needed to dilute the contaminated water during the production process until it during the production process until it meets the established quality standards.
This measure seeks to evaluate the effort required to mitigate the negative impacts generated by water pollution.
Real estate water footprint
In the real estate sector, the water footprint is relevant at various stages of a property’s life cycle, from construction to use and maintenance:
- Construction: During the construction of a building, water is required for mixing concrete, for the curing process, and for other construction-related fines.
The amount of water used in this stage contributes to the total water footprint of the building. - Use and maintenance: Water use in a residential or commercial building is an important factor in its water footprint.
This includes water consumption by occupants for daily activities, such as showering, washing dishes, and watering gardens, as well as water use for maintenance of common areas, such as cleaning floors and irrigating green spaces. - Infrastructure: The water footprint can also be related to infrastructure associated with real estate development, such as the construction of storm drainage systems, water supply networks, and wastewater treatment systems.
These infrastructures require the use of water during construction and can have significant impacts on local water resources.
In conclusion, WH provides valuable information to promote sustainability in the real estate sector.
Understanding the quantity and quality of water used at all stages of a property’s life cycle allows us to make more informed decisions and adopt responsible practices that minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable water resource management.
