Water is an essential yet under-monitored resource in the construction sector, where inefficient usage can exacerbate environmental stress and project costs. This study aims to quantify and analyze the direct water footprint of construction projects across Kerala, offering insights into consumption patterns and inefficiencies at various stages of the construction lifecycle. Real-time water usage data were collected from ten active construction sites, covering both residential and commercial projects. These empirical findings were compared with theoretical benchmarks derived from existing literature, revealing significant deviations—particularly in high-consumption activities such as RCC works, plastering, and foundation construction, where actual usage exceeded benchmarks by up to 52%.To address this gap, a Water Consumption Factor (WCF) was formulated for major construction phases, providing standardized metrics to evaluate and manage water use more effectively. The findings underscore the urgent need for integrated water management strategies in construction and lay the groundwork for future implementation of BIM-based optimization tools. This research contributes to building a regional benchmark library that supports sustainable water practices in the construction industry.