Water Footprint in the Home

Water is essential to our daily lives. Yet, we often overlook just how much of it is used, not only in direct consumption like drinking and bathing but also in the production of the goods we use and the energy we consume. Whether it’s the water needed to produce a cotton shirt or the water used by your household appliances, each item and activity has an invisible water cost. In this blog post, we’ll explore the hidden water footprint of everyday items and share tips on how to reduce your water consumption at home.

The Water Cost of Clothing

*Average water footprint for apparel. [CREDIT: Canva]*

What we wear impacts not only our carbon footprint but our water footprint as well. Here’s a breakdown of the water used to make some common items:

Cotton Shirts: Cotton is known for its water-intensive production process. It takes approximately 725 gallons of water to produce just one cotton shirt.
Polyester Shirts: While synthetic materials like polyester require less water to produce, drying and washing polyester cloth gives it a footprint of 92 gallons. The act of washing synthetic fabrics has been linked to the creation of “microfibers,” small microplastics produced through the shedding of synthetic fibers from clothing. Microfibers are thought to be the most prevalent type of microplastics found in freshwater systems.
Cloth Diapers: It takes 198 gallons of water to produce one cloth diaper, but because it will be reused many times it has a footprint of 4-24 gallons per use.
Disposable Diapers: For disposable diapers, the water cost is even higher—approximately 144 gallons of water are used to make one diaper, considering all production processes. Parents who choose disposable diapers will go through about 8,000 diapers (1.2 million gallons) per child.
Leather Shoes: Leather has a high water footprint due to the water-intensive processes of raising livestock and tanning the leather. It can take around 2,113 gallons of water to produce a single pair of leather shoes. Opting for suede shoes uses less water: roughly 760 gallons.
Jeans: Denim production, especially for the bleaching and dyeing process, uses a significant amount of water. On average, it takes about 2,000 gallons of water to produce one pair of jeans.

Tips for Reducing the Water Footprint of Clothing

Buy fewer, higher-quality items that will last longer.
Opt for clothing made from recycled or sustainably produced fabrics.
Wash clothes in cold water to reduce water and energy use.
Use a clothesline or air dry instead of using a dryer. The energy saved helps save water as well!
Shop second-hand or participate in clothing swaps.

The Water Cost of Energy

*What one kWh of energy can power. [CREDIT: Canva]*

It’s easy to forget that the energy we use also comes with a hidden water footprint. For example, each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity you consume has an associated water cost due to the water used in the production of power, especially in coal, gas, and nuclear plants, which require large amounts of water for cooling. Producing just 1 kWh of electricity requires roughly 14.7 gallons of water. This water is primarily used for cooling purposes in power plants.

Tips for Reducing the Water Footprint of Energy Use

Switch to energy-efficient appliances to reduce overall consumption.
Turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use to save energy and water.
Lower the temperature of your showers.
Wash your clothing on the ‘cold cycle’ and air-dry.

The Water Cost of Technology

*Average water footprint of smart technology. [CREDIT: Canva]*

In our modern world, technology plays a huge role in our daily lives, and each device we use has an impact on water resources. From smartphones to laptops, the production of electronics uses significant amounts of water, primarily in the manufacturing phase and while processing data.

Smartphones: Producing a single smartphone can consume about 240 gallons of water, primarily due to the water used in extracting and processing materials like metals and minerals.
Laptops: The production of a laptop can use about 1,100 gallons of water due to the complexity of manufacturing, including the creation of circuit boards and other components.
AI and Data Centers: The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and large data centers further increases water consumption. Data centers that support AI processing, cloud computing, and other technologies use vast amounts of water for cooling purposes. On average, a large data center can consume up to 1.5 million gallons of water per day.

Tips for Reducing the Water Footprint of Technology

Extend the life of your devices by repairing or upgrading them instead of replacing them.
Recycle old electronics to help reduce the water cost of mining raw materials for new devices.
Minimize unnecessary cloud storage and reduce data usage to lower energy and water consumption in data centers. Deleting those unwanted photos is a great start to freeing up your cloud storage!

The Water Cost of Household Cleaning and Hygiene

*Average water footprint for personal care and hygiene. [CREDIT: Canva]*

Our everyday activities—flushing toilets, taking showers, and running washing machines—have a significant impact on our water resources.

Toilets: Modern toilets can use anywhere from 1.6-6 gallons per flush. Older toilets might use more, up to 7 gallons per flush.
Showers: A typical shower uses about 2-5 gallons of water per minute. A 10-minute shower can easily use up to 50 gallons of water.
Washing Machines: A standard washing machine can consume about 40-50 gallons of water per load, while newer, energy-efficient models may use as little as 15 gallons per load.
Dishwashers: Dishwashers can use between 4-6 gallons of water per cycle, depending on the model, whereas hand washing the same load can consume up to 27 gallons of water.
NOTE: Washing your car in your driveway or street not only uses water but can contribute to excess runoff, carrying soaps and detergents into local waterways.

Tips for Reducing Water Footprint with Appliances

Install water-efficient fixtures, such as low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucets.
Opt for WaterSense and ENERGY STAR rated appliances and fixtures to help save water and energy.
Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads to maximize efficiency.
Take shorter showers and consider turning off the water while lathering to reduce water use.
Go European and install a bidet!
Take your car to a carwash where the used water drains into the sanitary sewer rather than contributing to runoff.

Conclusion

Every item and activity in our homes has a hidden water cost lurking in the background, whether it’s the clothes we wear, the energy we consume, or the technology we use. By understanding the water footprint of everyday items and making small adjustments to our habits, we can significantly reduce our overall water consumption. From choosing more sustainable clothing to using water-efficient appliances, every effort counts in preserving our most valuable resource. Start making conscious choices today—for the sake of the planet and future generations.

[Featured image credit: UF/IFAS, Tyler Jones]