The Link Between Water Loss and Energy Consumption: Southern California EDISON's Embedded Energy in Water Pilot

From Section 4-Working With Water Utilities to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Water, of Track B-Warming Watersheds, from River Network's Winter Training 2010, Reinhard Sturm of WSO--in his presentation 'The Link Between Water Loss and Energy Consumption'--discusses the water energy nexus and the economics of water infrastructure in California.

Pumping, treating and heating water in the United States requires at least 520 billion kilowatt hours per year – equivalent to 13% of U.S. electricity consumption with a carbon footprint of over 290 million metric tons, which means that there is huge potential to reduce the impacts of global warming by saving water. How can local groups work with utilities to promote water conservation policies and get answers to questions about energy use? What results are we seeing with current water conservation pilot projects and related energy conservation programs? How can you reduce water use in your community?