Uses of Water

Irrigation Water for agriculture or growing crops

Mining Needed to extract minerals such as coal, iron, sand and gravel, petroleum Quarrying Needed to extract minerals such as coal, iron, sand and gravel, petroleum Quarrying

Electricity Production Largest use of water worldwide Thermoelectric Power Plants –Water is heated to produce steam or –Water is used to cool heated water Largest use of water worldwide Thermoelectric Power Plants –Water is heated to produce steam or –Water is used to cool heated water

Public Water Supply Water companies withdraw water from rivers, lakes and reservoirs and deliver it to homes, businesses, and schools Provides the majority of drinking water in the US Water companies withdraw water from rivers, lakes and reservoirs and deliver it to homes, businesses, and schools Provides the majority of drinking water in the US

Commercial Hotels, restaurants, offices, military institutions, prisons, fish hatcheries

Livestock Livestock Water is needed to raise livestock –Chickens –Cows –Horses –Rabbits –Fish Water is needed to raise livestock –Chickens –Cows –Horses –Rabbits –Fish

Wastewater Treatment Cleaning water of wastes from: –Sinks –Showers –Bathtubs –Toilets –Washing machines –Dishwashers –Storm runoff Allows water to be reused or discharged back into the environment Cleaning water of wastes from: –Sinks –Showers –Bathtubs –Toilets –Washing machines –Dishwashers –Storm runoff Allows water to be reused or discharged back into the environment

Domestic Water for indoor and outdoor household purposes: –Drinking –Cooking –Bathing –Washing clothes and dishes –Brushing teeth –Watering the yard and garden Supplied by a public supply co. or a well Water for indoor and outdoor household purposes: –Drinking –Cooking –Bathing –Washing clothes and dishes –Brushing teeth –Watering the yard and garden Supplied by a public supply co. or a well

Industrial Used for production of –Metal, wood and paper products –Chemicals –Gasoline and oils –food –Basically any manufactured product Used for production of –Metal, wood and paper products –Chemicals –Gasoline and oils –food –Basically any manufactured product

Hydroelectric Water flowing through dams is used to spin turbines, which are connected to generators and produce electricity.