There are many other uses for water besides that used for drinking. Water is used for agricultural, industrial, environmental, and other municipal purposes.
Municipal use includes supplies to homes and businesses (including schools and prisons) as well as industrial purposes. Numerous municipal needs range from sanitation and sewage systems to food preparation and landscaping.
Water is used in industry throughout the manufacturing process as well as in the gathering of raw materials such as mining and drilling for oil and gas. Water is also an important element in the power industry, playing a vital role in generating electricity.
Water is also used for agriculture both in the care of livestock and in the irrigation of crops. It is also essential in maintaining the health of Texas streams and other bodies of water and the plants and wildlife in and around them.