The Water-Energy-Greenhouse Gas Connection

In 2005, California, led by the California Energy Commission, began a serious look at the water-energy- greenhouse gas relationship in the state. Saving water saves energy. Saving energy saves water, both where there are cooling towers on buildings and at thermal power plants which use water for cooling. You save more in Southern California than in Northern California because of the energy attached to imported water. Saving water used outdoors is good (pumping, treatment and delivery), saving water used indoors is better (no waste removal, treatment and discharge) and saving hot water is still better (no energy to heat the water too). This paper will build on the work done by the California Energy Commission by presenting information on both sides of the connection: energy for water and water for energy