In this Section
Issues > Water Main Page > All Water Documents
Energy Down the Drain
The Hidden Costs of California's Water Supply
In the western United States, there is a close connection between water and power resources. Water utilities use large amounts of energy to treat and deliver water, and even after utilities deliver water, consumers burn more energy to heat, cool and use it. This August 2004 report from NRDC and the Pacific Institute shows how water planners in California have largely failed to consider the energy implications of their decisions, and suggests a model for how policymakers can calculate the amount of energy consumed in water use. Integrating energy use into water planning can save money, reduce waste, protect our environment and strengthen our economy.
|
|
| For printed copies of this report, see our Publications List. | |
OVERVIEW & QUICK REFERENCE
Press Release
FULL REPORT IN PDF
Adobe Acrobat file (size: 757k)
Click here if you need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Links indicate sections available as individual webpages)
Executive Summary
Chapter 1: The High Cost of Energy Use in Western Water Systems
Chapter 2: The Connections Between Water and Energy
Chapter 3: San Diego County -- Energy and Urban Water
Chapter 4: Westlands Water District -- Energy and Agricultural Water
Chapter 5: The Columbia River Basin -- Energy and Hydropower
Chapter 6: Recommendations for Water Policy
Appendix A: Urban Model Description
Appendix B: San Diego Case Study Data Sources and Assumptions
Appendix C: Agricultural Model Description
Endnotes
Sign up for NRDC's online newsletter
Water on Switchboard
NRDC experts write about water efficiency, green infrastructure and climate on the NRDC blog.
Recent Water Posts
- California's Co-Equal Goals for the Delta
- posted by Doug Obegi, 11/12/09
- California Takes a Big Step Forward in Improving Water Efficiency
- posted by Doug Obegi, 11/11/09
- EPA unveils new federal strategy for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay
- posted by Nancy Stoner, 11/9/09
Related NRDC Press Releases
- 11/4/2009
- Historic Water Reform Package Passes California Legislature
- 10/2/2009
- San Joaquin River Reborn
- 9/11/2009
- EPA Puts Brakes On Mountaintop Removal Mining
Related Links
Find Your Favorite NRDC website
- Global Warming & Energy:
- Beat the Heat
- Activism:
- Save BioGems
- NRDC Action Fund
- Ocean Protection:
- Your Oceans
- Green, Healthy Living:
- Simple Steps
- Smarter Cities
- This Green Life
- Green Paws
- NRDC Cool Sites:
- It's Your Nature
- GreenDay+NRDC
- For Kids:
- Green Squad