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How is Water Consumed?

Published in Water Use 2 mins read

Water is consumed when it is not returned to its original source after being used, making it unavailable for immediate reuse.

Understanding Water Consumption

According to the definition provided, water consumption is the portion of water withdrawn from a source (like a river, lake, or groundwater) that is not returned to that source. This differs from water use, where water might be withdrawn, used for a purpose (like cooling), and then returned to the source, albeit potentially at a different temperature or quality.

The key characteristic of consumed water is that it is no longer available in the original water body for other users or environmental needs.

Key Ways Water is Consumed

Based on the reference, water consumption primarily occurs through two main processes:

  • Evaporation: Water turns into vapor and enters the atmosphere. This happens from reservoirs, irrigation canals, cooling towers, and even directly from wet surfaces like fields. Once evaporated, the water is part of the atmospheric water cycle and is not immediately available in the source it was withdrawn from.
  • Incorporation into Products or Plants: Water can become a physical component of a product or biomass. The reference specifically mentions water being "incorporated into a product or plant (such as a corn stalk)". This means the water is now part of the material itself and is not returned to the original water source.

Think of it this way:

Water Use Water Consumption
Used and returned Lost to atmosphere (Evaporation)
Available for reuse Incorporated into materials (Products, Plants/Crops)
Less impact on source quantity Directly reduces available water in the source

For example, in agriculture, a significant amount of water is consumed. While some irrigation water might seep back into the ground or run off, a large portion is taken up by plants like corn stalks and becomes part of the plant's structure, or evaporates from the soil and leaf surfaces (transpiration, which is a form of evaporation from plants). This water is consumed because it's not returned to the river or aquifer it was pumped from. Similarly, water used in manufacturing might end up as a component in a beverage or a product, representing consumption.

Essentially, consumption is the part of water use that represents a net loss from the initial water source.