Carbon Free Water – A Successful Case Study in Sonoma County, California

Once identified as the largest energy user in Sonoma County, the Sonoma County Water Agency (Agency) has implemented a series of measures to reduce our impact on the environment with the goal of net zero emissions from our water and wastewater electricity supply. These measures, implemented under the umbrella program Carbon Free Water by 2015, include water efficiency, energy efficiency, development of renewable energy projects, and procurement of renewable energy contracts. Combined, these efforts have resulted in a 97 percent reduction in the Agency's emissions related to our purchased electricity since 2006.In addition to greenhouse gas reduction efforts related directly to the Agency's water and wastewater electricity supply, the Agency has assumed a leadership position by implementing innovative efficiency and renewable energy projects for the region as a whole. Lessons learned from the Agency's work towards achieving Carbon Free Water by 2015 served to develop the expertise necessary to implement these community-wide projects. Overall, Sonoma County Water Agency's experience in working towards Carbon Free Water by 2015 serves as a valuable case study for other utilities looking to reduce their greenhouse gas footprint.