Water and energy are closely linked; using one often requires the other. Understanding this relationship helps households see that saving water can save energy, and saving energy can reduce water use, creating multiple benefits for expenses, comfort, and environmental impact.
Professor Michael Webber's book called "Thirst for Power" states the following, "we use more water for our light switches and electrical outlets than our faucets and showerheads because the water is used to cool power plants far away... we use more energy to heat, treat, and pump our water than we use for lighting.
Utility companies use a significant amount of energy to clean and treat water for safe use and to supply water to homes. For water treatment, energy is used to remove contaminants, disinfect, and make it safe to drink. For water supply, energy is used to pump water from rivers, lakes, or underground aquifers to treatment plants and then to homes.
Energy production also relies heavily on water. Many power plants, including nuclear, natural gas, and coal facilities, use water for cooling turbines and equipment, generating steam to turn generators, and processing fuel and managing waste.
Even some renewable energy systems, like biofuels and hydropower, depend on water availability. In regions where water is scarce, high water use in homes and businesses can contribute to stress on energy production systems, making energy supply less reliable and more expensive.