Basic air and water emission requirements, and power plant design and operating characteristics are defined. Air pollution control particulate removal devices and a variety of flue gas desulphurization (FGD) alternatives are compared in terms of economic and technical applicability, water requirements, water consumption, and liquid and solid wastes production during power station operation with different types of coal. Three possible station water management systems (once-through, recirculation with limited discharge, and zero discharge) are evaluated under selected conditions, and their impacts on water intake, consumption and wastewater treatment are compared in detail. Coal type is shown to have a strong influence on the quantities of wastes produced and type of air pollution control devices which may be used. In turn, the types of control devices selected are also shown to affect the nature of subsequent wastewater and solid wastes problems. Wastewater recirculation and re-use designs incorporated into station water use related to air pollution controls are found useful in reducing water consumption and wastewater production and treatment requirements.