Water footprint analysis as an indicator of sustainability in nonconventional drinking water treatment systems

Abstract

The impact of multiple-stage filtration (MSF) was determined in two study systems. Water footprint (WF) was estimated with all its components and their results allowed the identification of those responsible for the environmental impact associated with drinking water production. Climatic conditions of high and low precipitation and socio-cultural context were considered. Results showed technicalshortcomings, such as the presence of fissures that generate losses and the contribution of polluting substances in the effluent from filter washing. Socio-economic limitations increase the WF. Water management can be improved by studying the WF components and their relationships with the socio-cultural component.

Assessment of the Water Footprint in Low-Income Urban Neighborhoods from Developing Countries: Case Study Fátima (Gamarra, Colombia)

“…Likewise, WF gray considered the wastewater discharges (WF gray-D ) from the study area to the Baquero wetland (Equation ( 3)). For this, six discharge points over the Baquero wetland were selected and analyzed for parameters such as the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS), following APHA standards [31]; these parameters were selected according to recommendations from previous studies [8]. The selected six points were the most critical pollution points identified from information provided by the environmental authority in the study area (CORPOCESAR) through interviews with neighborhood social leaders (supplementary material Figure S1).…”

“…The WF gray is related to the daily activities that impair the physicochemical water quality without wastewater treatment and generate environmental problems due to pollutants and excess nutrients. This situation affects aquatic ecosystems due to the proliferation of species such as invasive macrophyte plants and the increase of sediments that reduce navigation and artisanal fishing, which is an essential people s livelihood for many lowincome communities [8,56]. All these issues are present in the study area due to untreated wastewater discharges to the Baquero wetland.…”

“…Understanding the linkages between productive activities and the pressure over water resources is essential to improve water management and achieve the SDGs. The water footprint (WF) concept is an indicator that allows associating people's consumption practices in specific geographic places with their impact on water resources [8]. The WF estimates the quantity and use of water during a period associated with product manufacturing or service provision.…”

Análisis de la huella hídrica azul como indicador de sostenibilidad en pymes del Valle del Cauca

“…Aunado a lo anterior, la hh gris no se tuvo en cuenta para el cálculo debido a la falta de datos para su medición, ya que las pymes a la fecha del estudio no contaban con los reportes de las caracterizaciones fisicoquímicas y microbiológicas de sus efluentes. Este indicador se relaciona como la cantidad de agua dulce requerida para asimilar el agua residual que se produce durante el proceso de consumo o producción [17]. En el presente estudio se cuantificó la hh azul de las pymes contemplando todos sus procesos.…”

Why Don’t Scientists Follow the Water Footprint Assessment Manual? Example of One Study

“…Chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSSs) were chosen for the study [1]. This was based on the recommendations of the study by Cerón-Hernández et al [15]. However, this referenced source focuses on drinking water production and not on wastewater management.…”