Water Footprint

In our everyday lives, we use water not only when we turn on the tap, but also through the food we eat and the products we buy. For instance, producing a pair of jeans or the food we consume requires significant amounts of water, even though this use is not visible in the final product. The water footprint captures this often overlooked “virtual water” embedded in agricultural and industrial production processes.

To put this into perspective: in Italy, direct water consumption averages around 214 litres per person per day (ISTAT, 2022), while the European average is approximately 150 litres per person per day. When considering the total water footprint—including all the water embedded in food and consumer goods—the figure rises to about 6,400 litres per person per day in Italy, compared to an EU average of roughly 4,815 litres per person per day.

Through the LIFE Svolta Blu project, Viacqua seeks to raise awareness among families and businesses about the water footprint and to encourage concrete actions to reduce water consumption.

Each of us can play a role: understanding how much water we use, both directly and indirectly through the products we consume, is the first step towards protecting and valuing this essential resource.

To calculate your estimated Water Footprint, click here.
You will also receive practical tips to help you reduce it at home—from the bathroom to the kitchen, from the garden to your diet.