Water Conservation and Recycling

Water conservation refers to reducing use and waste of water; water recycling specifically means reclamation of water (e.g. “grey water,” treated wastewater or stormwater) for reuse. Because of the strong demonstrated link between water and energy, reducing water use equals reducing energy use. Approximately 19 percent of California’s electricity is used to get clean water to residences and 30 percent California’s natural gas is used to process and convey water (Klein 2005). Although superior to fossil fuels in many ways, some the most common alternative fuel types consume large quantities of water. For example, biodiesel uses many times the water to produce as any fossil fuel (Jones 2008) and solar, geothermal and hydroelectric operations are many orders of magnitude more water consumptive per unit of energy production than fossil fuel thermoelectric or nuclear (Jones 2008). Many of these processes could use recycled water, which wouldn’t have a negative impact on potable water supplies. Water-saving management practices and technology for the home, agriculture, and industry can enhance the beneficial use of water. For example, using grey water (from  sinks and appliances) to flush toilets and water plants;  irrigating crops with reclaimed water; achieving higher efficiency in industrial processes; and desalinating seawater can all stretch valuable water supplies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_conservation). Water conservation is being pursued aggressively in the North Coast (e.g. Humboldt County’s municipal water pump upgrades; the Raw and Recovered Water for Irrigating Public Agencies, Trinity County; Covelo Wastewater Facilities Improvement Project, Mendocino County; and the Crescent City Wastewater Treatment Plant Renovation, Del Norte County) as a means of reducing GHG emissions by reducing overall demand for energy. See “Energy Efficiency Programs.”

Citations:

Jones, W.D. 2008. . How much water does it take to make electricity? IEEE Spectrum Report. http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/apr08/6182

Klein, G., M. Krebs, V. Hall, T. O’Brien, B.B. Blevins. 2005. California’s Water – Relationship: Final Staff Report. California Energy Commission. Prepared in Support of the 2005 Integrated Energy Policy Report Proceeding (04-IEPR-01E). 180 pages.