A feasibility study to estimate household water footprint in Iran: Adaptation and application of a localized questionnaire

Abstract

Iran, grappling with the challenges common to arid and semi-arid regions, is confronting a significant freshwater scarcity that exacerbates its water crisis. Central to this issue is the provision of an adequate domestic water supply. This study embarked on adapting a localized water footprint questionnaire to gauge individual household water footprints within the Iranian context. Utilizing a cross-sectional approach, we adapted and validated a water footprint questionnaire tool tailored for Iranian consumers. The original questionnaire, derived from watercalculator.org, comprises 35 questions encompassing direct household water use, direct non-household water use, and indirect water use. Following its translation, cultural adaptation, and validation, the questionnaire was deployed for data collection. The investigation unveiled average water footprints as follows: a direct indoor water footprint (DWF_in) of 133.31±65.54 lpcd, a direct outdoor water footprint (DWF_out) of 1.89±1.73 lpcd, and an indirect water footprint (IWF) of 4284.94±714.33 lpcd, culminating in an overall average water footprint (WF) of 4420.14 ± 695.17 lpcd. Despite the study's limitations, including a sample that may not fully capture all provincial demographics, the findings underscore the practicability of employing this methodology in Iran and the significant potential for water conservation through heightened awareness and the policy-driven implementation of water-efficient practices at the household level.