The water footprint is consumption-based indicator of water use. Water footprint is defi ned as
the total volume of both indirect and the direct freshwater used for producing goods and services
consumed by individuals or inhabitants of community. There are many studies regarding the
direct water use but studies incorporating both direct and indirect water use is defi cient. This
study tries to estimate total volume of water based on the consumption pattern of different
commodities by individuals of Kathmandu Metropolitan city using extended water footprint
calculator. The average water footprint of individuals appears to be 1145.52 m3
/yr. The indirect
and direct water footprint appears to be 1070.82 Mm3
/yr and 46.59 Mm3
/yr respectively which
cumulatively give the total water footprint of Kathmandu Metropolitan City of 1117.40 Mm3
/yr.
This volume is equal to 2.27 times the annual fl ow the River Bagmati. The indirect water footprint
includes food water footprint of 1055.60 Mm3
/yr or 2.14 times the annual fl ow and industrial
water use of 15.22 Mm3
/yr or 0.03 times the annual fl ow while the direct water footprint includes
domestic water use of 46.59 Mm3
/yr or 0.09 times the annual fl ow. In food water footprint, cereals
consumption shared the highest contribution of 34.82% followed by meat consumption with
share of 32.62% in total water footprint. Per capita per day water use of inhabitants appears
to be 3138 liters which includes water use in food items of 2965 liters, industrial water use of
43 liters and domestic water use of 131 liters. The per capita per day domestic water use is
90 liters more than supplement of 41 liters by the water operator of Kathmandu Valley. Per
capita per day domestic water use is already 5 liters more than expected improvement in water
supplement of 126 liters per capita per day in 2025 after accomplishment of Melamchi water
project. And, it is expected to increase further observing the rapid urbanization of Kathmandu
Metropolitan City. The study showed water footprint of individuals is directly related to food
consumption behavior, life style and services used therefore it is necessary to initiate water
offsetting measures at individual level and water operator to fi nd environmentally sustainable
alternatives along with ongoing water project to fulfi ll demand.