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WATER ENERGY

Challenges

Conserving water will require less energy consumption for water pumps.
Conserving water will require less energy consumption for water pumps.

Policymakers are taking a harder look at the state’s water-energy relationship.  The California Energy Commission’s (CEC) primary finding in its 2005 report was that saving water saves energy.  The underlying premise is that reducing water consumption avoids the amount of energy used “upstream” in the water use cycle (to collect or produce that water, to transport and treat it, and to deliver it) and “downstream” (to treat wastewater and safely dispose it).  The CEC used the term “energy embedded in water,” or “embedded energy,” to represent the value of energy savings accumulated upstream and downstream of reduced water consumption.

At the crux of the state’s water-energy initiative is the question: should investor owned energy utilities recognize water conservation as an energy efficiency measure due to the embedded energy saved, thereby making it eligible for energy efficiency incentives?

California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is conducting several embedded energy in water studies to help answer this question and come to a policy decision.  A number of water-energy pilot projects that demonstrate the potential energy savings from water conservation are currently undergoing evaluation, measurement, and verification. 

One of the barriers to answering this question is the disconnect between the locations in which water is conserved and energy is reduced.  Conserved water saves energy both upstream (all the way to the source) and downstream of the end user.  This means water savings in Southern California can save energy at pumps in Northern California often crossing energy utility service areas.  It’s unclear which energy utility should fund water conservation or gets credit for associated energy savings in this scenario.

A broad state-wide perspective and valuation of the benefits of conserving water and embedded energy could add additional impetus to water efficiency programs.   However, stakeholders need not wait for such a policy – there are many opportunities for water agencies, energy utilities, and consumers to collaborate now on innovative ways to save both energy and water.

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Water Treatment Plant Operator holding a sample of recycled water
Water Treatment Plant Operator holding a sample of recycled water
Recycled Water Study

In the U.S., many non-potable uses are served by potable water that has been treated to safe drinking water standards established by the federal Environmental Protection Agency and state and local agencies charged with protecting public health and safety.  Recycled water can be used to safely displace use of potable water for these types of non-potable uses such as toilet flushing, landscape irrigation, commercial car washing, and fire protection. 

Recycled water is produced by treating municipal wastewater.  California treated about 5 million acre-feet of municipal wastewater in 2002.  About half of that amount was recoverable as recycled water.  However, as much as 70% is discharged without beneficial use to natural waterways and to the ocean every year, representing a viable, untapped resource – a lost opportunity.

Recycled water could be used to enhance potable supplies after undergoing highly advanced treatment. Several water agencies in Southern California are taking advantage of advanced technologies to produce recycled water that exceeds California drinking water standards.  These agencies are using this recycled water to protect and replenish groundwater aquifers that serve as a major potable supply to the region. 

In May 2008, the Alliance released a study titled The Role of Recycled Water in Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Reduction that estimated the potential energy and carbon benefits of accelerating and increasing the development and use of recycled water in Southern California.

Results of the study show up to 580,000 acre-feet of existing recycled water supply in Southern California is currently being released to streams and the ocean without benefit.  This supply could meet all of Southern California’s projected increase in water use through 20301 . According to the study, every gallon of recycled water that is not used to offset potable water use is a missed opportunity for California to increase water and energy supplies and to reduce carbon emissions.

Download the full report for more information.  See the appendices for profiles of each of the participating water agencies.

1As projected by the Department of Water Resources under a Business As Usual scenario

Agencies include:

Appendices include:

Water Energy Video

Water-Energy Nexus

Water related energy use accounts for nearly 20% of all electricity consumed in California. Below, Cynthia Truelove, Senior Water Policy Analyst, California Public Utilities Commission, discusses the water-energy nexus and how water can be conserved and used more efficiently to decrease energy usage. As part of California's Climate Action Team focused on water and energy, Cynthia discusses six measures identified as principle targets to reduce GHGs in addition to those required under AB32.

Showcase Water Agencies

In the last two years, the Alliance recognized two water agencies as leaders in sustainability: Inland Empire Utilities Agency and Sonoma County Water Authority. The Alliance celebrates their success and the excellent work they are doing to improve sustainability and provides important information to other organizations about the strategies that these water agencies have used to achieve their goals.

Inland Empire Utilities Agency is a leader in best-in-class projects and initiatives that range from green buildings and energy efficient systems and operations, to innovative environmental and resource management strategies. The Agency has become the leader in recycled water production in California as it accelerated development of its infrastructure so that all recycled water produced through its wastewater treatment activities can be beneficially used.

IEUA Headquarters
Inland Empire Utilities Agency's LEED headquarters.

Sonoma County Water Agency pledged to eliminate its carbon footprint by 2015 through its Carbon Free Water effort. The Agency has taken several steps towards its goal including: improving energy efficiency, using hybrid vehicles into its fleet, installing three solar projects, conducting ongoing studies of alternative energy generation options, and co-founding a county-wide financing mechanism to spur investment in efficiency and renewable energy for existing homes and buildings.

SCWA Solar
Sonoma County Water Agency’s solar panels.