Idaho Rivers United Seeks to Save Energy by Saving Water with Stimulus Funds

Liz Paul over at Idaho Rivers United recently sent me a two page policy brief she prepared titled "Reducing Energy Costs in Idaho's Schools- Water Efficiency Delivers Big Savings." As the title suggests, Idaho Rivers United is making the case that projects receiving federal stimulus funding to improve energy efficiency should also include water efficiency as a cost-effective energy reduction strategy (download available below).

Water efficiency represents a unique and often overlooked dual-savings opportunity that allows us to simultaneously reduce our consumption of two precious resources: water and energy. While many river and watershed groups are already fighting to make sure the $6 billion chunk of water-related stimulus money (or, more accurately, the 20% going toward "green" water projects) is used to benefit our rivers, the water-energy nexus opens the door to a much bigger chunk of change. Water-efficiency measures--especially those that save hot water--are cost-effective methods to save a lot of energy. California found that 95% of the energy savings anticipated from conventional energy conservation programs from 2006-2008 could be achieved through water efficiency at just 58% of the cost.

Schools and public buildings received large sums of stimulus funding to reduce their energy use, and Idaho Rivers United is making sure that water-efficiency is included in their plans:

"Idaho’s school districts and the Idaho Department of Education are positioned to achieve substantial long-term savings on energy, water and sewage costs with the adoption of simple, low-cost water efficiency measures. Investment in well-tested and widely-available water efficiency technologies will benefit Idaho school children, Idaho taxpayers, and Idaho’s natural resources for decades."

Watershed groups seeking ways to fund water efficiency in their communities should consider framing water-efficiency programs as energy conservation programs. Let policy and decision makers know just how cheap and easy it will be to save water and energy through water efficiency. For example, IRU clearly outlines specific measures that could be adopted:

"The greatest energy savings in our schools will come from reducing use of hot water. Installation of automatic faucet controls ($120) and low-flow showerheads ($10 -$20) will reduce hot water consumption saving water and energy. Fixing hot water leaks will also save energy and money. Replacing a cafeteria pre-rinse spray valve with a low-flow valve and using it 1.5 hours per day saves nearly 52,000 gallons of hot water annually and delivers the following savings:

1) The school (and taxpayer) saves on energy, water and wastewater costs.
2) The water utility (and ratepayer) saves on water treatment and delivery energy costs because the new valve uses half the water of the old one.
3) The wastewater agency (and ratepayer) saves the avoided energy cost of wastewater treatment and disposal.
4) Energy utilities (and ratepayers) save the expense of new generation because of reduction of energy use at water and wastewater treatment plants and reduced cafeteria water heating.

Many other water efficiency technologies reduce the use of cold water and will offer schools energy savings if they have to pump water."

Give IRU's policy brief a read and consider drafting a similar document for your community. Helping the people in your community to better understand the water-energy nexus can open doors to new funding opportunities and bolster your case for water efficiency.

Download: Reducing Energy Costs in Idaho Schools - Water Efficiency Delivers Big Savings (Idaho Rivers United)