Book      Maps      Models      Journal

The models are based on the symbols designed using a grid structure whose proportions come from the water molecule geometry. They represent the concept of virtual water, foundation of the water footprint indicator introduced by Prof. Arjen Hoekstra. Virtual water is defined as the amount of water consumed in the production process of a product. Prof. Tony Allan claim that people do not only consume water when they drink it or take a shower. In 1993 he strikingly demonstrated this by introducing the “virtual water” concept, which measures how water is embedded in the production and trade of food and consumer products. ‘Behind that morning cup of coffee are 140 litres of water used to grow, produce, package and ship the beans. That is roughly the same amount of water used by an average person daily in England for drinking and household needs. The ubiquitous hamburger needs an estimated 2,400 litres of water. Per capita, Americans consume around 6,800 litres of virtual water every day, over triple that of a Chinese person.’