What it means. Like its eco-themed predecessors carbon footprint and cookprint, water footprint is a concept intended to raise your awareness of how much water you consume and, perhaps, inspire you to use less.

The nonprofit Water Footprint Network defines water footprint as the total volume of freshwater needed to produce the goods and services that an individual, business, or community consumes, and some of the figures are enough to make you gulp.

It took almost 37 gallons of water to produce that cup of coffee you enjoy each morning, and about 713 gallons of water for the cotton used in your cotton shirt. Check out this gallery of water footprints for a range of other products.

Why the buzz? Being aware of your water footprint is one way to curb consumption, which in turn could also help save you money, important at a time when steeper water rates and penalties for excessive use are in effect or on the horizon. Read The New York Times' recent in "Saving U.S. Water and Sewer Systems Would Be Costly" for details on how much it's going to cost to repair or replace the nation's aging water infrastructure.

—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Learn about the latest water-efficient washing machines, toilets, and showerheads. And use the advice in "By the Numbers: Wasted Water Adds Up Drip By Drip" to eliminate leaks in your home.