Water Conservation Isn’t Just About Faucets—It’s About Power, Too

When most people think about saving water, the usual tips come to mind: turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, fix those leaky faucets, and use high-efficiency appliances. And while these are all solid habits that do help, they only address the more visible side of our water use. What many don’t realize is that one of the biggest water users in our daily lives doesn’t come from a faucet—it comes from how we power our homes and lives.

Producing energy takes a lot of water. In fact, the energy sector is the second-largest consumer of water in the United States. A 2018 study in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that around 58 trillion gallons of water were used to meet U.S. power demands. Of that, about 3.5 trillion gallons came from freshwater sources—many of which are in already water-stressed areas like the Southwest.

Thermoelectric power—which includes coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear—still plays a major role in the U.S. energy mix and accounts for about 41% of freshwater use in energy production (as of 2020). Not all fuels are created equal, though. Coal is by far the thirstiest, using around 1,100 gallons of water per megawatt-hour (MWh). Natural gas is the most water-efficient of the bunch at about 800 gallons per MWh. Fortunately, we’ve seen progress: coal plants are declining, and more power is coming from natural gas, which eases some of the water burden.

But if we really want to reduce the water we use through energy, the biggest gains come from going renewable. Wind and solar energy require very little water to operate. Wind power uses none at all—and in some cases, it can even help produce clean water. Most modern solar systems also use minimal water, especially those that rely on dry cooling and just need occasional rinses to stay efficient.

Of course, even renewables come with a “hidden” water cost. Building solar panels and wind turbines, mining materials, and setting up infrastructure all use water. But the key difference? These are mostly one-time costs, and renewable systems typically last 20–30 years. Over their lifetime, wind and solar have a dramatically lower water footprint than thermoelectric energy—and far fewer environmental side effects. Plus, as technology improves, these systems are getting even more efficient and less resource-intensive.

So what can you do to help conserve water through your energy choices?

It starts with simple awareness. Every time we reduce our energy use, we're also saving water. That means turning off lights when you leave a room, unplugging devices that aren’t in use, and upgrading to energy-efficient appliances when possible. These small actions may seem minor, but they add up—especially when we all do our part.

Want to take it a step further? Many utility providers now offer renewable energy options you can opt into—sometimes at no additional cost. You might also qualify for state or federal incentives to install solar panels at home or invest in other clean technologies. It's worth checking out.

Even in places that seem water-rich—like here in Toledo—every drop matters. Water conservation isn’t just about what comes out of your tap; it’s also about the invisible water behind the power we use every day. By being more mindful of our energy use and supporting clean, renewable sources, we’re not just saving money or cutting emissions—we’re helping preserve one of our most vital resources for the future.

By now, most of us are familiar with the basics of water conservation: turning off the tap while brushing our teeth, fixing leaky faucets, and investing in high-efficiency appliances. These are important steps—but they only scratch the surface. One of the largest and often overlooked consumers of water is something we use every day: energy.

Energy requires a lot of water to be produced and represents the second largest water consumer in the US. A study done in 2018 for the journal Environmental Science & Technology showed that about 58 trillion gallons of water was drawn to meet the US power needs. Of that, 3.5 trillion gallons was from fresh water sources including in already water stressed areas in the south-west United States. As of 2020, thermoelectric power production represents about 41% of energy productions fresh water needs- this includes nuclear power production, natural gas, oil, and coal. Coal is the worst offender at approximately 1,100 gallons per megawatt-hour (MWh) and natural gas is the least water intensive thermoelectric option at about 800 gallons per MWh. There has been progress made to reduce the fresh water needs in this form of power production thanks largely to the reduction of coal power plants as well as a shift to the less water taxing natural gas systems.

While these changes are a great step toward greener living and more water-conscious energy production, the best way to conserve water is transitioning to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power which requires little to no water for power production. However, that doesn’t mean that wind and solar energy don’t have need any water at all. Wind power does not need any water to operate and can even be used to produce water in some circumstances. Some solar power does still require about 20 gallons per MWh primarily for cooling, but most have moved to dry cooling and do not require water outside of cleaning.

However, it’s important to consider the “hidden” water cost of renewable energy—namely, the water used in the production of materials, construction, and maintenance. Mining for rare earth metals, manufacturing components, and building infrastructure all require significant water input. Still, these are generally one-time costs incurred at the beginning of the project. With lifespans typically ranging from 20 to 30 years, renewable systems have a much lower lifetime water footprint compared to thermoelectric power. Moreover, renewable energy has far fewer long-term ecological impacts. It contributes less to the degradation of local water supplies and benefits from continuous improvements in technology, making systems more efficient and less water-intensive over time. This combination of low ongoing water usage, long operational life, and reduced environmental impact makes renewable options like wind and solar power the most water-responsible energy sources available today.

So, what can we do to reduce our own water footprint through energy choices? It starts with awareness. Energy conservation—while a topic of its own—is a powerful tool in water conservation. Think about how often you leave lights or electronics on unnecessarily, or how frequently your appliances run. Small changes, like switching off lights when not in use or supporting state and local efforts to adopt renewable energy, can have a big impact. If you're interested in switching to renewable energy at home, check with your utility provider—many offer options to choose greener sources, sometimes at no extra cost, or even at a discount. For those ready to take a bigger step, look into local tax incentives or low-interest loan programs that make installing solar panels or other renewable systems at home.

Even in water-rich areas like Toledo, every drop matters. Water conservation isn't just about what comes out of your faucet—it's also about how we power our homes and lives. By being mindful of our energy use and supporting cleaner energy sources, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future, one decision at a time.