This experiment was conducted to determine if ractopamine HCl (RAC) can increase nutrient utilization and decrease water use in hog operations. This experiment combined growth (GEXP) and metabolism (MEXP) experiments using 9 dietary treatments (trt) arranged as a 3 x 3 factorial: 3 levels of RAC (0, 5 & 10 ppm) and 3 standardized ileal digestible LYS: DE ratios (1.75, 2.25 & 2.75 g/Mcal DE). In MEXP, higher levels of RAC and LYS improved ADG. RAC decreased water intake and urine output. LYS had no effect on water balance. Therefore, RAC may reduce the environmental footprint of pork production through improved nutrient utilization and reduced water requirements.