The phrase "draws a lot of water" can have a few different meanings, both literal and figurative:

Literal:

Excessive water consumption:

It can refer to an individual, place, or system that uses a large amount of water, potentially due to physical needs, excessive thirst, or overuse.

Drawing water from a source:

This literally refers to the a

ct of taking water from a well, reservoir, or other source, such as in the movie Chinatown.

Figurative:

Attracts attention or criticism:

In some contexts, it can mean something or someone attracts a lot of attention, particularly if that attention is negative.

A powerful, influential person:

It can be used to describe someone who is influential and well-respected, often in a negative way.

A strong contender or a prominent figure:

Someone who "draws a lot of water" is likely to be a strong contender, especially in the context of a contest or election, for example.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5712777&forum_id=2#48862499)

traditionally "holds water" was used more to technically mean "makes sense" or "logically follows" whereas "holds sway" = "holds influence."

however given the importance of water (in some desert regions in the world especially), and given the prominence of luis on this board, the rest of us were able to pick up what he was laying down. hth

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5712777&forum_id=2#48862518)

i will readily admit i'm not prominent on the bort. i rarely poast after 8 AM except on weekends

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5712777&forum_id=2#48862521)