Design Delight Studio

You asked, we answered: What’s the real impact of cotton production on water pollution?

We know you care about sustainable choices in your wardrobe and lifestyle.
Cotton appears in many places—the clothes you wear and the textiles in your home.
Yet cotton production has a hidden cost for water quality.
Experts show us how cotton farming pollutes water and tell us what we can do.

🔍 Water Use and Pollution from Cotton Cultivation

Water Use Overview
• Cotton uses much water.
 – WWF tells us that farms in Pakistan use 97% of the Indus River water for cotton.
 – This high use stresses the fresh water available.
• H2O Global News reports that one kilogram of cotton—the fiber for a T-shirt and jeans—needs 7,000 to 10,000 liters of water.
 – This demand puts strain on water in dry areas.

Water Pollution Through Agrochemicals
• The cotton industry uses about 200,000 tons of pesticides each year.
 – It also uses around 8 million tons of fertilizers yearly.
 – These figures represent 16% and 4% of global use.
• Runoff carries these chemicals into rivers, lakes, and underground water.
 – This pollution harms aquatic life and reduces biodiversity.
 – It also affects soil, water, and the health of local farmers and communities.

Ecological Impacts
• The Aral Sea shows the harm of diverting water for cotton irrigation.
 – Its volume fell by 90%.
 – Fisheries collapsed, salinity grew, and dust storms caused health problems.
• Cotton farming often leads to habitat loss and soil erosion.
 – Farmers must expand into new lands as soils worsen.

🚩 Spotlight
• “Cotton’s water pollution harms biodiversity and freshwater quality through runoff of pesticides and fertilizers.” — WWF
• “The water for one cotton T-shirt equals two and one‐half years of a human’s drinking water.” — WWF/ISC
• In Pakistan, 75,000 farmers using Better Cotton Initiative methods cut water use by 39%, pesticides by 47%, and fertilizers by 39%.
 – This change has helped both the environment and their incomes.

💧 Actionable Tips from Experts

• Use water-efficient irrigation systems such as drip or subsurface drip irrigation.
 – These systems can reduce water use by 50% or more.
• Buy from brands that follow Better Cotton Initiative standards.
 – They work to use fewer chemicals and care for water resources.
• Ask local governments to support rainwater harvesting and aquifer recharge projects.
 – These projects help manage water sustainably.
• Look for textiles made of alternative fibers like hemp, flax, or bamboo.
 – These fibers need much less water than cotton.
• Practice crop rotation and soil conservation on farms.
 – These methods keep soil healthy and hold water better.

🌿 Recycling & Circular Economy Insight

Cotton is biodegradable, but its production uses many chemicals.
Therefore, treating wastewater is very important.
Recycling cotton textiles and using closed-loop water systems in mills can lower water pollution even more.

❓ FAQ
Q: How can I reduce water pollution from cotton in my wardrobe?
A: Choose clothing that is certified by the Better Cotton Initiative or made with organic cotton.
 – Support brands that use water-efficient technology.
 – Consider alternatives like hemp or linen that need less water and fewer chemicals.

Ready to learn more and take action for a cleaner planet?
👉 Explore more about water pollution and sustainable cotton choices here

Sources:
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF), “Cotton | Industries” (2025): https://wwf.panda.org/our_work/agriculture/cotton/
• International Science Council (ISC), Kathryn Galloway, “The environmental impact of cotton production” (June 17, 2024): https://council.science/current/blog/the-environmental-impact-of-cotton-production/
• H2O Global News, “Cotton Farming and Water Scarcity: Challenges and Solutions” (Sep 10, 2023): https://www.h2o.global/news/cotton-farming-and-water-scarcity/

By understanding the water impact of cotton, you can choose better for the environment today.

Design Delight Studio is your trusted partner in sustainable textiles, committed to transparency and eco-innovation. Learn more at designdelightstudio.myshopify.com