Water footprint analysis as an indicator of sustainability in nonconventional drinking water treatment systems

• Published in: Dyna (Medellín, Colombia) Colombia), 2020-04, Vol.87 (213), p.140-147
• Main Authors: Cerón Hernández, Víctor Alfonso, Hurtado, Isabel Cristina, Bolaños, Isabel Cristina, Figueroa Casas, Apolinar, Restrepo Tarquino, Inés
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Climatic conditions; colombian andean basin; conventional drinking water treatment systems and multiple; cuenca andina colombiana; Drinking water; Environmental impact; FIME; Footprint analysis; huella hídrica; MSF; non; non-conventional drinking water treatment systems and multiple-stage filtration-MSF; rural water supply systems; sistemas de abastecimiento de agua rural; sistemas de tratamiento de agua potable no convencional y filtración en múltiples etapas; stage filtration; Sustainability; Water consumption; water footprint; Water management; Water purification; Water treatment
• ISSN: 0012-7353; 2346-2183
• DOI: 10.15446/dyna.v87n213.81247

The impact of multiple-stage filtration (MSF) was determined in two study systems. Water footprint (WF) was estimated with all its components and their results allowed the identification of those responsible for the environmental impact associated with drinking water production. Climatic conditions of high and low precipitation and socio-cultural context were considered. Results showed technicalshortcomings, such as the presence of fissures that generate losses and the contribution of polluting substances in the effluent from filter washing. Socio-economic limitations increase the WF. Water management can be improved by studying the WF components and their relationships with the socio-cultural component.