Which sector uses the largest share of freshwater resources?

• A. Industry
• B. Residential
• C. Transportation
• D. Agriculture

Answer: (D)

The main concept here is how water use is distributed among sectors. Farming drives the largest share of freshwater withdrawals because irrigation for crops (and water for livestock) requires a vast amount of water. Even in areas with regular rainfall, crops often need additional irrigation, and water can be lost along the way to evaporation, soil drainage, or runoff. Globally, agriculture typically accounts for about seven-tenths of freshwater withdrawals, leaving industry and residential use to share the remainder. While industry and homes are important, they use far less water overall than farming, which is why agriculture is the largest user of freshwater resources.