Water Consumption - Footprint Reflection

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on water consumption at a personal level. The paper involves a synopsis of a calculation of average water consumption against the US average and a discussion of the results. The discussion includes activities that I would take in order to reduce personal water consumption. A conclusion highlights the various ideas gathered from this exercise.

Synopsis

My average water consumption per day is 416 gallon for all the uses. In the calculation of average daily water consumption various factors and activities were included  where water is used regularly. Most of these activities are carried out at home during the performance of normal chores and includes showering, bathtub, bathroom and kitchen sink, toilet, washing dishes and doing laundry.  The other factors considered in the calculation do not directly related to individual activities and include electricity consumption and shopping. The use of recycled paper and plastics were considered in determining the daily average water consumption. My average consumption compared favorably with the entire US average given that among the various factors and activities considered the daily average was way below the overall national average. In addition, among many of the areas with a large national average, I was able to significantly reduce the level of water consumption. Such areas includes toilet use, laundry and in shopping. However, in some areas, my daily water consumption went above the US average especially in showering and cleaning the dishes. The water consumption related to electricity was higher than the US average which can be related to the high power utility in our state. This leaves no room for adjusting or reducing the consumption of virtual water and hence, the higher rate than the US average. In addition, there are areas in which I do not consume any outdoor and virtual water including swimming pool, law and garden, driving and car washing. This means that my overall water consumption per day remains way below the overall average despite higher consumption in some areas.

Discussion

The resulting water consumption level does not come as a surprise given that the areas where water is consumed in large quantity related household activities. The largest amount of water used in household involves toilet flushing, showing and washing dishes. These areas requires large amount of water to be fully done since they are done on daily basis or even a number of times a day. The water consumption during flushing toilet, for instance, was expected to be low since during the day I am rarely at home. In addition, the current toilets and shower heads use lesser amount of water than before.  It was also expected that virtual water consumption would be higher than other areas given that large amount of water is used in producing, processing and manufacturing of various products bought.  Studies have shown that in present time people all over the world consume large amount of virtual water through products from domestic and foreign market. In this case water is expended in industries for production of various goods.  Behind the various food products bought by consumers are large amount of water used in growing, producing, packaging and even transporting them (Orlowsky et al.2014). This is the reason why much of the water I consumed involved virtual water from shopping of various foods stuffs and other products produced in different industries, in local and international markets.  

In order to reduce the amount of water I personally use, I would be willing to take steps towards water conservation. Water conservation is important is important since it helps in reserving a resource that is precious and even lowering the utility bill.  The conservation of water involves ensuring that various laws relating to toilets, showers and water faucets and which aim at allowing a given quantity of water flows each minute are observed (Wolters 2014). The residential homes should include aspects that will ensure that these laws are adhered to and rectifying where there is any shortcoming. The efforts require small changes that will add up to many gallons  of water saved every day and will add up to large amount by year end. These activities include: using shower bucket rather than allowing water to go down the drain, where a bucket is stuck nude a facet while the heating up of the shower water; while brushing teeth, turning off the tap will prevent all the water coming out of the facet to go down the drain; turning of the water tap while washing the dishes or even while washing hands and the small amount of water saved will count at the end; reusing the water for various purposes before letting it down the drain will ensure that there is water reduction in households.

Conclusion

Individual water consumption can be reduced in order to conserve this important resource. Comparing individual daily rate of water consumption with the national average will help in identifying areas where water is being wasted. Through such information, one can take actions or activities that will ensure that waters usage is reduced substantially. The little efforts lead to reduce will lead to conservation of large amount of water at the end of the day.

Reference

Orlowsky, B., Hoekstra, A. Y., Gudmundsson, L., & Seneviratne, S. I. 2014. Todayʼs virtual water consumption and trade under future water scarcity. Environmental research letters, 9.1-10

 

Wolters, E. A. 2014. Attitude–behavior consistency in household water consumption. The Social Science Journal, 51. 1-463.