calculate your water footprint at h2o conserve

V A L U E S + S O C I E T Y

© Deng Jia © Harley Soltes

S C I E N C E + T E C H N O L O G Y

H2O Conserve’s Web-based Water Calculator

Conserve Water, Protect Life

V A L U E S + S O C I E T YS C I E N C E + T E C H N O L O G Y

What is H2O Conserve?

• a developing nonprofit program promoting a community-based approach to water conservation and water supply protection


H2O Conserve’s Mission

• H2O Conserve encourages people to conserve and protect water as a vital natural resource by raising awareness about water use and threats to the water supply through educational tools including a web-based water calculator.


Water Footprint Calculator

• Web-based tool that gives you an estimate of the total amount of water you use, otherwise called your water footprint.

• H2O Conserve currently focuses its calculations on water use in the United States.


Direct Water Use• Water seen flowing from

the fixture down the drain• Shower: Regular =

3.8 gallons/min.; Low-flow = 2.3 g/m

• Toilet: Regular = 6 gallons/flush; 1.3 g/f

• Faucet: Regular = 5 g/m;Low-flow = 1.5 g/m


Direct Water Use (cont.)• Another activity that uses a

tremendous amount of direct water: lawn & garden watering

• It takes 330 gallons of water to irrigate a 1,000 sq. foot tract of land with ½ inchof water.


Virtual Water (Indirect Water Use)

• You may not drink, feel or see this water, but it makes up the great majority of your water footprint.

• The Calculator takes into account not only the water used in your home, but also the water used to produce the food you eat and the products you buy.


Virtual Water (Indirect Water use)

• Your water footprint includes other factors, such as water used to cool power plants that provide your electricity, and water saved when you recycle.


Indirect Water Use (cont.)• Water is used for cooling

purposes at thermoelectricpower plants (e.g., coal firedand nuclear)

• Water-Energy nexus for thermoelectricity production

• Sustainable energy production like solar, wind, and geothermal use virtually no water.


Indirect Water Use (cont.)• Not only is water used directly

to wash a car (150 g/wash),• But water is also necessary

to produce automobile gasoline indirectly(i.e., debris flush during drilling, oil refining, machinery cooling).


Indirect Water Use (cont.)• A person’s diet is generally

the greatest water use component in his or her life

• Avg. Am. (3-5 servings meat/day) = 1,052 gallons/day

• Vegetarian = 516 g/d• Vegan = 446 g/d


Breakdown of Water Use in USA

• Thermoelectric power: 48%

• Irrigation: 34%• Public Supply: 11%• Industry: 5%• Domestic (self-supplied):

Less than 1%• Mining: Less than 1%• Livestock, Aquaculture:

Less than 1%

Source: USGS;

Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2000


If our home water use is relatively small, why conserve?• (Virtual) Water is contained in almost everything we

use and buy, so we use more water than it seems.• By being conservative with water, we become more

water conscious in our own lives.• This can lead to a Conservation Ethic in society

(local to global)


If our home water use is relatively small, why conserve?

(cont.)• Helps to build a Water Constituency that is concerned about water issues in the U.S. and the world and one that cares about how water is used and where it flows.

• Water Constituents can show the need for water conservation as both a common good for society, the natural environment, and business.

• In this way citizens can consider and collectively decide who has rights to water and how that water is used and distributed water in a responsible manner.


Where to begin?Building a Water Constituency

• Find out the water quality of your local supply; check water quality report

• Get interested in decisions made by your water authority; Where is your water going? Is the water use sensible?

• Lobby local, state, and national officials to make water a priority and its use wise and efficient.

• Educate people, especially children, on the severity of water issues.

• Educational Curriculum, geared towards students from Kindergarten through High School, will be launched on the H2O Conserve website this Fall.


Conclusion: Starting at Home

• After taking the water calculator assessment, your water footprint and series of water conservation tips are given.

• Your individual and household water use is calculated and tips specific to your water use habitsoffered with the option for them to be emailed.

• A “Tips” section also exists.