虽然预计工业将通过回收和再利用大幅减少其取水量，但预测表明，由于工业扩张和工艺变化，耗水量将增加。工业是大湖区的第二大用水者。由于水资源丰富且相对便宜，水量不是问题，也不是节约用水的动机。主要动力是维持水质和节省资金。遵守水质法规和经济激励措施已经促使许多地区行业节约用水。额外的工业用水保护可能仅限于那些尚未遵守水质法规的公司。讨论了法律要求、蒸汽电力行业的退出和节能。包括12个参考文献和表格。

Although it is anticipated that industry will dramatically reduce its water withdrawals through recycling and reuse, projections indicate that the amount of water consumption will increase because of industrial expansion and changes in processes. Industry is the second major water user in the Great Lakes region. Because of this abundant and relatively inexpensive source of water, water quantity is not a problem or an incentive for water conservation. The major impetus is maintaining water quality and monetary savings. Compliance with water quality regulations and economic incentives have already caused many regional industries to conserve water. Additional industrial water conservation will probably be limited to those firms not already in compliance with water quality legislation. Legal requirements, steamelectric industry withdrawals, and energy savings are discussed. Includes 12 references, tables.