Water Footprint FAQ
What is a water footprint?
A water footprint is the amount of produced water used to produce an item, good or service. Produced water is water that has been removed from a water source, such as a well or lake, and treated for use. It does not include rainwater.
What are the footprints of some everyday items:
- 1 cup of coffee = 37 Gallons of Water
- 1 pair of blue jeans = 2642 Gallons of Water
- 1 single pasta noodle = 1/2 Gallon of Water
- 1 smartphone = 240 Gallons of Water
- 1 disposable diaper = 144 Gallons of Water
How can these items require so much water?
Many of these items need water to be grown, produced, manufactured and transported. Beef, for example, which takes 4068 gallons to produce 2 lbs, requires water not only for the cattle, but for the grain grown to feed the cattle, manufacture and transport.
Becoming aware of your water footprint is a great place to start building awareness of just how much water we REALLY use.

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