Linking Water and Energy in Local Water Supplies

From Session 4-Working With Water Utilities to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Water, of Track B-Warming Watersheds, at River Network's Winter Training 2010, Mary Ann Dickenson of the Alliance for Water Efficiency--in her presentation Linking Water and Energy in Local Water Supplies--explains typical urban water uses and federal policies-or lack there of--for conservation.

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?