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Potable water comprises only a small fraction of the total use of water in the United States, with the main uses of freshwater resources being agricultural (for example, irrigation, animal feeding operations) and industrial (for example, cooling towers) activities 1. These activities, in addition to medical ones (for example, hemodialysis, dental procedures), are commonly referred to as “other uses” of water.
The Many Uses of Water
Water can be used for direct and indirect purposes. Direct purposes include bathing, drinking, and cooking, while examples of indirect purposes are the use of water in processing wood to make paper and in producing steel for automobiles. The bulk of the world’s water use is for agriculture, industry, and electricity. The most common water uses include:
- Drinking and Household Needs
- Recreation
- Industry and Commerce
- Agriculture
- Thermoelectricity/Energy
Top 5 Causes - Water Not Intended for Drinking*
- Legionella
- Giardia
- Campylobacter
- E. coli
- Cryptosporidium, Hepatitis A, Mycobacterium, Norovirus, Pseudomonas, Salmonella (tie)
Other Uses and Types of Water Resources
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- Page last reviewed: October 11, 2016
- Page last updated: October 11, 2016
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