Few Realize Their True Water Usage, Says Expert
Estonians use a reasonable amount of water compared to their EU neighbors but most are still unaware of the far greater ecological impact of indirect water consumption, Veiko Kaufmann, chairman of the Water Works Association, has said.
The average household in Estonia consumes 100 liters every 24 hours while the European Union average is 200 liters and in the US it exceeds 600 liters, Kaufmann told ETV on the occasion of World Water Day, March 22.
The indirect consumption of water through products and services, however, leaves a much greater ecological footprint than most people realize, said Kaufmann. For instance, studies have shown that it can take up to 140 liters of water to produce one cup of coffee, while the production of a kilogram of beef requires around 15,500 liters.
According to Kaufmann, in order to reduce water consumption, people must cut down on food wastage and follow a more sustainable diet.
Of all the water on earth, only 3 percent is fresh, and only 1 percent is safe to drink, said Kaufmann.
Worldwide, 70 to 80 percent of the fresh water is used for agriculture, 20 for industrial use and the rest for household consumption. In Estonia, however, the proportions are different, with 84 percent of freshwater going to industrial use, 9 percent to agriculture and the rest to households, said Kaufmann.
The annual World Water Day, initiated by the United Nations, was first celebrated in 1993.
Ingrid Teesalu