Key Issues
Water Consumption at Nuclear Power Plants
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March 2008
Key Facts
March 2008
Key Facts
- Power plants circulate significant volumes of water in the process of generating electricity but consume a very small amount relative to other uses.
- Electric power generation consumes about 3 percent of U.S. freshwater, less than half of freshwater consumed for residential uses (7 percent), according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
- Nuclear power plants circulate water to cool their equipment. This water quickly returns to its source and never is exposed to radioactive material.
- Nuclear power plants consume less water per unit of electricity produced than some forms of renewable energy.
- Nuclear power plants have a low environmental impact and produce reliable electricity in a wide range of weather conditions.
