Why Don’t Scientists Follow the Water Footprint Assessment Manual? Example of One Study

Abstract

A recently published study by Parra-Orobio et al. looked at a water footprint assessment in low-income urban neighborhoods from developing countries; specifically, this is a case study of the Fátima site in the municipality of Gamarra, Colombia. However, that study deviates significantly from the water footprint methodology described in the Water Footprint Assessment Manual. Therefore, the results of the study cannot be compared with similar studies. In this Letter to the Editors, different parts of the application of the water footprint methodology used in the mentioned study are analyzed and several main deviations from the standard water footprint methodology are pointed out. It is, therefore, suggested that the authors of the article “Assessment of the Water Footprint in Low-Income Urban Neighborhoods from Developing Countries: Case Study Fátima (Gamarra, Colombia)” should expand or modify this article to clarify any deviations from the standard water footprint methodology.