Urban water footprint in Mashhad, Iran’s second largest city

Summary The water footprint (WF) is a metric used to quantify the total volume of fresh water consumed directly and indirectly by individuals and communities; it helps to inform responses to global challenges such as water scarcity, climate change and sustainable water management. This study assessed virtual (VWF), direct (DWF) and total (TWF) water footprints in Mashhad, Iran’s second largest city. Data collected from 382 households showed that the average individual VWF was 1314 m 3 per month, the average individual DWF was 228 m 3 per month and the average individual TWF was 1538 m 3 per month. Additionally, key consumption patterns were identified, with rice and bread emerging as the most consumed items and vegetables as the least consumed. Over a 5-year period, direct water use declined. Significant correlations emerged between family size, annual cost and VWF and TWF, yet no association was found between age and the WFs. There were income-based disparities in VWF and TWF but no differences across education levels in terms of DWF, VWF and TWF. These findings offer crucial insights for policymakers and water authorities in formulating effective water-saving policies to address pressing environmental concerns.