The Water Footprint Network is working together with the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture to measure the impact of certain fruit industries on the South American country’s freshwater resources, according to a report by Chilean news publication The Santiago Times.
As part of the programme, studies are being carried out on table grapes (Chile’s largest fresh produce export item), avocados, apples and blueberries.
The majority of measurements are currently taking place in regions of the Atacama dessert, such as Huasco and Copiapó, the areas reportedly most affected by water shortage issues.
Results are expected in December for six Atacama-based agricultural enterprises who are participating in the study.
The initiative is being overseen by the Netherlands-based non-profit organisation the Water Footprint Network, which measures the quantity of freshwater used in the production of a specific product.
Throughout the process, the organisation measures three contributing factors.
The green factor measures the contribution of precipitation, the blue factor measures the harnessing of surface and ground water, and the grey factor measures the pollution generated throughout the production process.
According to the report, the idea is to take the average measurement and apply it directly to the geographical water basin that serves as a supply for the given company.
The study is expected to not only provide crucial information about the water usage of local areas, but also incentives for the companies stepping forward to participate in the studies.
While there are no laws currently in place requiring businesses to take such precautions, some believe that in the next few years regulations could be introduced, and some have voluntarily stepped forward to participate in the awareness project.
The Water Footprint Network is currently partnered with the University of Chile, Fundación Chile, Green Solutions consulting firms, and Concha y Toro, De Martino, and Errazuriz wineries.
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