Water is the foundation of all life on Earth…
… and an indispensable resource for humans, animals and plants. Without water, we could not exist, because our bodies are made up of more than half water, which serves as a building material for cells and as a transport medium for nutrients and waste products. Water regulates our body temperature, supports digestion and is important for many vital processes such as the production of oxygen by plants.
When it comes to water requirements, the following categories are distinguished:
Drinking water requirement
On average, we drink about 2 to 3 litres of water daily, because our body constantly needs water to maintain vital functions. Water is essential for our health. This gives us a direct drinking water requirement of around 1,000 litres per year.
Direct water requirement
The direct water requirement includes only the water that is used directly from the tap. In addition to drinking water use, this also includes all domestic activities. The largest share is accounted for by personal hygiene. This figure is approximately 121 litres per day and corresponds to about 44,000 litres per year per person.
Water footprint: indirect water requirement
The indirect water requirement refers to the „virtual water“ needed to produce all consumed products, such as food, clothing, electronics and other goods. This also includes the water used in the production of imported goods. Indirect water consumption is many times higher than direct consumption. The total water footprint of a German is estimated at several million litres per year, with the majority accounted for by food production. This means that indirect water consumption amounts to several thousand litres per day, well above direct consumption.
Despite its apparent abundance, fresh water makes up only a very small share of the water on Earth, and of that only a fraction is usable as drinking water. Globally, water is unevenly distributed, and through overuse, pollution and climate change this vital resource is increasingly under threat. Water is therefore not only a basic substance of life, but also a valuable resource worthy of protection, and sustainable management of it is of utmost importance for the survival of all living beings.
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