Infographic: Energy Used in the Water Cycle

At eight pounds per gallon, water is a heavy substance; especially when utilities move billions of gallons per day.

Vast amounts of energy are needed for the transportation, distribution and treatment of water. Pumping it over mountain ranges or from deep underground aquifers also requires a significant amount of energy. But the largest share of energy use comes from individual customers who heat water to bathe, cook and run businesses.

Graphic by Daniel Cooper, a Ball State University graduate student, with contribution from Brett Walton.