Vannkrevende

Vannkrevende is a Norwegian adjective used to describe activities, processes, or products that require substantial amounts of water for production, operation, or maintenance. The term combines vann, water, with krevende, demanding, and is commonly used in assessments of resource use and sustainability.

In agriculture, crops that rely on irrigation, such as certain high-yield or heat-demanding varieties, are described as vannkrevende because their yields depend on large water inputs. In industry and manufacturing, processes such as cooling, washing, rinsing, and chemical processing can be water-intensive, consuming significant volumes of fresh water over time. In energy production, power plants and cooling systems can also contribute to high water use, depending on technology and local constraints.

The concept is closely related to the broader idea of water footprint or water intensity, which measures water use per unit of output. Vannkrevende activities pose environmental and economic challenges in regions with limited water resources or seasonal variability, making efficient water management a priority.

Mitigation strategies include water recycling and reuse, closed-loop cooling systems, installation of more efficient equipment, rainwater harvesting, and process optimization to reduce losses. Policy measures and corporate governance increasingly emphasize water stewardship, transparency about withdrawals, and risk assessment for climate-related variability.

Although the term is Norwegian, similar concepts exist in other languages, such as water-intensive production. The awareness of vannkrevende use has grown as societies seek to balance growth with sustainable water use.