Key Issues
Water Consumption at Nuclear Power Plants
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May 2008
Key Facts
May 2008
Key Facts
- Power plants circulate significant volumes of water in the process of generating electricity but actually consume a small amount of water relative to other uses.
- Of all the freshwater consumed in the United States, electricity generation accounts for 3.3 percent—less than half of the freshwater consumed for residential uses (6.7 percent), according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
- Nuclear power plants circulate water to cool 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 small environmental impact and produce reliable electricity in a wide range of weather conditions.
