Which industry uses the most water?

There is a lot of talk about what we as consumers can do to minimize water consumption. But what is the biggest offending industry in regards to inappropriate use of water in the world?

Taxonomy

• Industry Association
• Wastewater Use
• Water Reuse & Recycling
• Water Scarcity
• Water Security
• Industrial Water Reuse
• Scarcity
• Environment
• Water Recycling
• Reuse
• Water Management
• Consumption
• Water Conservation
• Water Management
• Water & Energy Conservation
• Water & Wastewater Operations

2 Answers

1. Largest Use of Water
   
   

   The greatest use of water is a regional answer.  However, overall energy creation is the greatest use.  Coal, gas, radiation are all used to heat up water.  Hot water creates steam.  Steam moves turbines to create electromagnetic energy and we turn on the lights.  

   A few years ago I was on a committee for the western parts of the US, Mexico and Canada to discuss water use.  Based on this we decided the greatest waste of water was for ranching.  Years ago people took their cows and walked them along mostly river valleys to city centers where they were sold.  Grass was always there.  Today, the cows stay on the ranch and water is used to grow the grasses they eat, a lot of water.  Ranchers have been getting smarter every year, at least some of them, but that we thought was the area that could be changed the most.

2. What is inappropriate use?
   
   

   Dear David, 

   The answer to your questions implies a judgement on "inappropriate" use.

   70% of the worlds water use is for agriculture. My reply would therefore ask a refined question as to what the most inefficient use of water is for agriculture that with known technologies could be remedied.

   Best, 

    

   Trudi