Citation
Soler Rovira, José and Arroyo Sanz, Juan Manuel and Conde Marcos, Hugo and Sanz Zudaire, Carlos and Mesa Moreno, Alfredo and Gil Pascual, Sergio
(2010).
Regional water footprint and water management: the case of Madrid region (Spain).
In: "7th International Conference on Life Cycle Assessment in the Agri-Food Sector, LCA Food 2010", 22/09/2010 - 24/09/2010, Bari, Italia. ISBN LCA Food 2010. VII International Conference on Life Cycle Assessment in the Agri-food Sector..
Abstract
Water resources and water footprint of the production and consumption in Madrid region were estimated, considering blue water (water resources), green water (soil moisture), grey water (polluted water) and virtual water (water trade in products imported and exported in the region). Water resources in Madrid relay mainly in surface waters and rainfall, so the periodic occurrence of meteorological droughts implies the scarcity of water supply. The main users of blue water are households, municipalities and agriculture. Production water footprint is approximately 2,000 hm3 per year, almost four times the blue water available resources in the region. Consumption water footprint is around 9,000 hm3 per year from which 80% is net imported virtual water, so Madrid depends on external water resources in order to supply the actual consumption needs. These should be more sustainable reconsidering the consumption pattern, as 60% of the water footprint is due to meat production.
