Benidorm Leads the Way with a Pioneering Water Footprint Project

💧 A Smarter Way to Manage Water

This pioneering initiative analyses the total volume of water used across the city, including:

• Human consumption
• Food production
• Irrigation of green areas
• Tourism and other services

Developed in line with ISO 14046 standards, the project applies advanced methodologies to measure not only water use, but also its environmental impact—such as pollution and resource origin (rainwater, groundwater, or recycled water).

🌍 Sustainability at the Core of the Destination

The project is part of the Tourism Sustainability Plan ‘Benidorm Visión 360’, funded by European Next Generation EU funds. It highlights Benidorm’s ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and efficient resource management.

With an already outstanding 96% water efficiency rate, one of the highest in the world, Benidorm aims to go even further by:

• Understanding water demand across sectors
• Improving efficiency strategies
• Planning future sustainability actions

📊 First Key Findings

Preliminary results reveal:

• Total water footprint: 30.6 hm³ per year
• Per capita consumption: 405.5 m³/year
• Spanish average: ~2,325 m³/year

Breakdown:

• 💧 Blue water (surface & groundwater): 26.6 hm³
• 🌱 Green water (rainwater): 2.3 hm³
• ⚙️ Grey water (pollution impact): 1.7 hm³

👉 These figures position Benidorm well below the national average, reinforcing its reputation as an efficient and responsible destination.

🔍 Looking Ahead

The next phase will focus on:

• Reducing and compensating water impact
• Investing in resource recovery
• Enhancing transparency through digital monitoring tools

The project will also include a public awareness campaign, helping residents and visitors better understand the importance of water sustainability.

✨ Why It Matters for Visitors

• Ensures a more sustainable holiday destination
• Protects natural resources for future generations
• Enhances Benidorm’s reputation as a smart and responsible city