Mitigation Strategies

  • Water conservation


  • Energy conservation at water facilities


  • Energy generation at water facilities

EPA WaterSense
www.epa.gov/watersense
 

Energy Star
www.energystar.gov



<< Back   Next >>
Key Actions in the National Water Program Strategy

Goal 1: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Strategies for Water Programs

Many of the actions that can help reduce greenhouse gas releases also help conserve scarce water supplies and help improve water quality. Some key actions related to mitigation identified in the strategy:

Water Conservation: Water conservation is a win-win-win situation—in many cases, a single program investment will have greenhouse gas, water supply and water quality benefits and will lead to economic savings and greater sustainability of water infrastructure.

By choosing energy- and water-efficient options, businesses and individuals can conserve water resources and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted. Information on energy-efficient options is available from the ENERGY STAR Program (www.energystar.gov). Designed to save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices, the ENERGY STAR Program is a joint program between EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy. The WaterSense program (www.epa.gov/watersense), a partnership sponsored by EPA, promotes water-efficient products.

Energy Conservation at Water Facilities: Energy use by drinking water and wastewater facilities accounts for approximately 3 percent of U.S. energy consumption (EPRI, 1994), and these facilities are often the largest energy users in a municipality’s budget. Drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities have the potential to achieve 15–30 percent energy savings (CEE, 2007, p.1) by implementing energy conservation measures alone, and even more with on-site energy generation.

Energy Generation at Water Facilities: Wastewater treatment facilities have opportunities to generate energy. For example, some facilities can capture methane and burn it to generate electricity.

References:

CEE (Consortium for Energy Efficiency). 2007. Initiative Description: CEE National Municipal Water and Wastewater Facility Initiative, accessed August 31, 2009. Exit EPA Disclaimer

EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute). 1994. Energy Audit Manual for Water/Wastewater Facilities: A Guide for Electric Utilities to Understanding Specific Unit Processes and Their Energy/Demand Relationships at Water and Wastewater Plants. CEC Report CR-104300. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), St. Louis, MO accessed August 31, 2009. Exit EPA Disclaimer

<< Back   Next >>

Section 39 of 50