waterintensive

Waterintensive is an adjective used to describe processes, products, or sectors that require large volumes of water relative to output or value. It is commonly applied in environmental planning, industry, and agriculture to identify activities with high water use intensity and to compare efficiency across contexts. Water intensity can refer to water withdrawals from sources as well as the portion of water that is consumed and not returned to the original source.

Sectors typically considered waterintensive include agriculture (notably irrigated crops such as rice, sugarcane, and cotton), mining and mineral processing, and several industrial sectors such as pulp and paper, textiles, and energy production (especially thermal power that relies on cooling water). The concept also applies to consumer products with substantial embedded water, a notion captured in the broader idea of a water footprint.

Common metrics used to quantify waterintensity include water intensity (for example, cubic meters per unit of product), water withdrawal intensity (m3 per unit of economic output), and the water footprint, which distinguishes blue, green, and grey water. It is important to differentiate water withdrawals from water consumption, as the latter reflects water that is not returned to the original source.

Impacts of high waterintensity include heightened pressure on water resources, higher operational costs, and increased environmental and social risks in water-scarce regions. Reduction strategies emphasize improving efficiency (drip irrigation, low-water dyeing, closed-loop cooling), water reuse and recycling, rainwater harvesting, and supplier and policy measures that promote sustainable water use.