Kokonaisvedenkäyttö

Kokonaisvedenkäyttö refers to the total amount of water used by a system, sector, or entity. This encompasses all water withdrawals from various sources, such as surface water, groundwater, and treated wastewater, for different purposes. Understanding total water use is crucial for effective water resource management, sustainability planning, and environmental protection.

In an agricultural context, kokonaisvedenkäyttö includes water for irrigation, livestock, and agricultural processing. For industries, it covers water used in manufacturing processes, cooling, and sanitation. Municipalities track kokonaisvedenkäyttö to manage public water supply, including residential, commercial, and industrial consumption, as well as water for public services like fire fighting and street cleaning.

Monitoring and analyzing total water use helps identify areas of high demand, potential inefficiencies, and the impact of water abstraction on ecosystems. It forms the basis for setting water use targets, developing conservation strategies, and implementing water pricing mechanisms. Accurate data on kokonaisvedenkäyttö is essential for addressing water scarcity, ensuring equitable water distribution, and promoting sustainable water management practices at local, regional, and national levels. It is a key indicator in assessing the overall water footprint of human activities.