Evolution of Chinese urban household's water footprint

In addition to quantity-induced water scarcity, China at present faces quality-induced water scarcity under the background of rapid urbanization and industrialization. Urban household consumption has significantly contributed to water consumption and pollutant emission. In this study, we use water footprint (WF), which includes water quantity and water quality (represented by blue WF and grey WF, respectively) to calculate the impact of urban household consumption on water resources. Multiple data sources, including the Water Resources Bulletin, China Environmental Statistical Yearbook, China Statistics Yearbook, and First Pollution Sources Census, among others, are considered. The results indicate that the per capita WF of urban household consumption has decreased from 1992 to 2012 in China mainly because of technological innovations. Food consumption contributes the most to the total WF of Chinese urban households. In terms of different income groups, a higher income likely leads to a larger WE. However, reducing the WF intensity may be insufficient for curbing the future increase in WFs. Food related WF has already shown an increase since 2007 mainly because of the diet transition to animal based food with larger WE. Thus, apart from technological innovations, measures need to be adopted to curb the consumption of goods with relatively larger WF and subsequently decrease the WF of Chinese urban households. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.