in 2002, the water footprint concept was introduced in order to have a consumption-based indicator of water use, that could provide useful information in addition to the traditional production-sector-based indicators of water use. it is analogous to the ecological footprint concept introduced in the 1990s. the water footprint is a geographically explicit indicator, not only showing volumes of water use and pollution, but also the locations. thus, it gives a grasp on how economic choices and processes influence the availability of adequate water resources and other ecological realities across the globe (and vice versa).