1. Research Goals and Methods

￮ The intensification of climate change–induced seasonal variability, combined with rising agricultural water demand driven by the expansion of digital industries and smart farming, requires more efficient water resource management. Traditional water management policies have primarily focused on supply allocation based on demographic trends, along with basic quantity and quality control. However, an integrated water use management system capable of tracing and controlling the water involved in the entire production and consumption lifecycle is now needed. 

￮ The water footprint is an indicator used to measure the environmental impact of human activities. It is defined as the total volume of direct and indirect water used across the entire lifecycle of a product or service—from raw material extraction and production to distribution, use, and final disposal. In addition to measuring freshwater consumption, the water footprint also quantifies associated water pollution loads.

￮ The water footprint is classified into three components according to water resource characteristics—green, blue, and gray—which measure the consumption of rainwater, the use of available freshwater resources such as surface water and groundwater, and the amount of freshwater required to dilute pollutants to meet water quality standards, respectively. This integrated analytical framework expands the scope of water resource analysis beyond individuals and firms to the regional and facility levels, enabling more precise assessments of water supply and demand, including the concept of virtual water.

￮ Jeonbuk State is currently at an early stage of introducing water footprint–based policies. To support effective policy development, it is necessary to establish assessment methodologies tailored to regional characteristics and determine the scope of water footprint assessment. In addition, the feasibility of collecting relevant baseline data should be examined and systematic data collection mechanisms established. Building on this foundation, this study aims to evaluate water footprints at the administrative-unit level and derive sustainable water management policy options tailored to Jeonbuk State, focusing on climate change response and water reuse promotion.

2. Conclusions and Policy Recommendations

￮ This study evaluated the feasibility of baseline data collection and identified potential policy applications to support the development of a water footprint assessment framework for Jeonbuk State and its cities and counties. The analysis used 2023 as the base year and employed the Ministry of Environment’s regional water footprint assessment methodology to conduct evaluations at the administrative-unit level. Through this approach, the study assessed the sustainability of data-driven water resource management.

￮ Meteorological observation data from stations across Jeonbuk were collected to assess the baseline status of regional water resources. In 2023, the annual average precipitation was 1,987.4 mm, corresponding to an estimated total precipitation volume of approximately 16,052 million tons per year when calculated on an area basis. The green water footprint was estimated at 5,365.4 million tons per year based on total evapotranspiration derived from MODIS satellite data.

￮ From a water supply perspective, the total annual supply from major dams in Jeonbuk—Yongdam Dam, Seomjin River Dam, and Buan Dam—was approximately 1,120.5 million tons, of which domestic and industrial water uses accounted for the largest share at 586.2 million tons. Analysis of sectoral water consumption, including groundwater and river withdrawals, indicated that the blue water footprint amounted to 1,495.2 million tons per year for agriculture, 81.9 million tons per year for domestic use (excluding Jeonju), and 63.2 million tons per year for industry, respectively.

￮ The blue water footprint assessment results showed that the agricultural sector accounted for the largest share, reflecting Jeonbuk’s regional characteristics, particularly its high proportion of agricultural land. However, given the challenges posed by the climate crisis, high agricultural water consumption may represent a potential vulnerability for the region. Therefore, it is necessary to develop water management strategies for improving agricultural water-use efficiency. 

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