Determination of water footprint of dairy products industry

In this thesis, it was aimed to determine the green, blue, and gray water footprints of three different dairy products (white cheese, kashar cheese and yoghurt) by using the method developed by the Water Footprint Network (WFN). Direct and indirect water footprints were determined throughout the dairy production farm, milk collection and transmission facility, and dairy facility. Total water footprints were determined as 12879 m3/ton for kashar cheese, 8371 m3/ton for white cheese, and 1674 m3/ton for yoghurt. Approximately 97.5% of the total water footprint of dairy products occurs on the dairy farm, and a significant part of this is related to the production of feed crops. Therefore, in reducing the water footprint, it is important to ensure regional regulations regarding the production of feed ingredients and to research technologies that will enable less water consumption.