Sustainable airport environments: A review of water conservation practices in airports

Airports consume significant amounts of water to maintain their infrastructure. Given the increasing worldwide demand for this type of transport and the current situation of water scarcity in many regions of the planet, efforts should be made to assess water consumption profiles as well as alternatives for its efficient use. In airport complexes, most of the water is used to meet non-potable demands, making them potential environments for implementing conservation practices aimed at reducing these demands – such as water metering and installation of water saving fixtures – and also for searching for alternative sources, such as rainwater and treated greywater or domestic sewage effluent. This review presents information regarding water consumption in globally important airports in order to provide a basis for studies that guide policies and decision-making toward a sustainable management of these environments during the planning and execution of construction, expansion and modernization projects.

► Airports consume much water thus a sustainable management of such environments is necessary.
► Airport water consumption has been assessed and compared in terms of passenger traffic and L/passenger.
► The study shows that the number of passengers does not always reflect on water consumption.
► Investigation of consumption profile helps find adequate practices to reduce water demand.
► The use of alternative water sources provides financial and environmental benefits.