The water footprint of the cotton industry, major retailers in South Africa have committed to increasing locally made clothing lines in their stores from roughly 50% to 65% by 2030. However, this ambitious goal raises a critical question: where will the water come from?
Few sectors understand the true cost of water better than commercial facilities and industrial manufacturers. Yet many consumer products sold today require vast amounts of water as part of their larger infrastructure assembly. Each step in the supply chain contributes to both a direct and indirect water footprint.
Local cotton production in South Africa dates back to 1690 in the Western Cape. Today, it is a prominent crop grown across Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and Northwest. Although cotton thrives in warm, humid weather, nearly 50% of South Africa’s cotton is planted in very dry areas, placing stress on water resources.
The total water footprint of cotton is divided into approximately 42% groundwater, 39% rainwater, and 19% grey water.
The manufacturing process is particularly intensive, consuming approximately 30 m³ per ton for bleaching, 140 m³ per ton for dyeing, and 190 m³ per ton for printing. For example, creating a single pair of jeans involves growing the cotton, ginning, spinning, weaving, sewing, and wet processing the fabric. This brings the average water footprint of a finished pair of jeans (weighing 1 kilogram) to 11 m³.
MEB has over a decade of experience in water management, optimization, and wastewater improvement from both a regulatory and production perspective. We focus on understanding the relationship between water, production value chains, and water footprints to effectively apply our treatment solutions. Contact us to achieve your sustainability goals and take the vital step from concept to practice.
