The issue of considering water quality in life cycle assessment of water use

Purpose Available water-use impact assessment methods provide insight into the potential impacts of water use. As water-use impact assessment models develop, the amount of inventory information required increases. Among the parameters needed, water quality is identified as essential since water quality can also influence availability to meet specific water users’ needs. It was argued that these users could be deprived and suffer consequences. However, data on water quality may be difficult to gather and the related impact pathways may entail risks of double counting with emission characterization models. This paper answers to which extent water quality must be considered in water-use impact assessment.