Between 1950 and 2000, the U.S. population nearly doubled. In that same period, public demand for water more than tripled.
The population of the U.S. is expected to grow by another 70 million people in the next 25 years and electricity demand is expected to grow by 50%. Because electricity and water are significantly interconnected – what is referred to as the Water/Energy Nexus – we fully expect the scarcity of water to be an area of increasing focus and concern. The Southeast, Southwest and West parts of the U.S. anticipate the greatest population growth and the greatest water scarcity issues, particularly since water is already in limited supply in these areas. So as the number of people increases, so does the need for both direct water supplies (water for traditional home uses such as bathing and cleaning) and indirect water supplies (all electricity needs).

Water is a critical component to electricity generation for traditional fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are high water-demand fuels. Domestic fuel sources such as biofuels, synfuel from coal, and oil shale also increase the demand for water to produce energy. So how do we produce electricity without over-taxing our water supply? Renewable technologies generate electric power with very little water and can therefore help reduce overall water demand significantly.

According to the EPA:

• Letting your faucet run for five minutes uses about as much energy as letting a 60-watt light bulb run for 14 hours.
  
• If all U.S. households installed water-efficient appliances, the country would save more than 3 trillion gallons of water and more than $18 billion dollars per year.
  
• If one out of every 100 American homes retrofitted with water-efficient fixtures, we could save about 100 million kWh of electricity per year—avoiding 80,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. That is equivalent to removing nearly 15,000 automobiles from the road for one year!
  
• Weather-based irrigation controllers can save nearly 24 billion gallons per year across the United States—approximately equal to more than 7,000 hoses constantly running for a full year.

Water Conservation and Energy Efficiency Go Hand-in-Hand

Since water and electricity are so closely connected, in order to use our water resources wisely, we need to address both water conservation and energy efficiency -- together.
So how can you do that?

Be A Leader. Improve your energy profile using some of the ideas listed below – for a City or for a Building Owner. Johnson Controls offers programs and services to help with all of these strategies.

• Education and public relations – use city communication tools to teach residents about water conservation and how to save water by saving electricity.
  
  
• Encourage residents to install water-efficient fixtures and appliances by providing municipal rebates or tax breaks.
  
  
• Lead by example – become an energy and water efficient City with updated facilities and irrigation systems. Water pumping and wastewater processing account for 30-40% of the energy used by mid-sized cities – support your water utility as they focus on energy efficiency upgrades.
  
  
• If your City does not have individual water meters, add them. Studies show that adding meters reduces water consumption by 13-15% as people find themselves “on the hook” for the water they use.
  
  
• Stop buying plastic water bottles: Producing water bottles costs the Earth water and greenhouse gas emissions.
  
  
• Periodic leak detection studies should be used to make certain your City maximizes the use of the water it treats. A recent government survey showed at least 36 states are anticipating local, regional, or statewide water shortages by 2013. (EPA).
  
  
• Reduce outdoor water use with smart irrigation.
  
  
• Add renewable energy to reduce costs, reduce peak electricity demand, and save resources: Water utilities can “move the dial” when it comes to reducing greenhouse gases, reducing stress on aging distribution systems, and reducing peak electricity demands. How? Even a 5% reduction in utility-generated electricity via renewable energy can make a significant difference in water and energy savings.
  
  
• Energy retrofits: At a water or wastewater facility, energy consumption can be reduced by 10-20% through energy conservation and operational changes.
  
  
• Performance Contracting: An engineering audit uncovers facility improvements that will save energy – the savings are then used to offset the cost of funding the improvements. This popular procurement tool allows you to keep capital improvements in the plan, yet not neglect this important energy focus. Renewable Energy Credits or other renewable energy incentives may also be an option in your state. Ask your Johnson Controls representative.

• Education and public relations – use your communication tools to teach tenants, employees and residents about water conservation and how to save water by saving electricity.
  
  
• High performance green buildings – Become a “green leader” by providing tenants/residents/employees with an environment that is energy and water efficient. Green buildings use an average of 33% less energy than the national average for commercial buildings. Greening your building includes making a variety of energy upgrades, from occupancy sensors for lighting to stormwater management that reduces irrigation needs.
  
  
• Add renewable energy to reduce costs and save resources. Wind, solar, and geothermal options can reduce energy demand and position you as a leader. Keep in mind that 89% of the next generation chooses brands aligned with a social cause (USGBC).
  
  
• Energy retrofits: Buildings account for 40% of all energy use, 68% of all electricity and 12% of all potable water. Save energy and water by performing energy retrofits on your facilities. Energy consumption can be reduced by 10-50% through energy conservation and operational changes.
  
  
• Performance Contracting: An engineering audit uncovers facility improvements that will save energy – the savings are then used to offset the cost of funding the improvements. This popular procurement tool allows you to keep capital improvements in the plan, yet not neglect this important energy focus. Renewable Energy Credits or other renewable energy incentives may also be an option in your state. Ask your Johnson Controls representative.
  
  Sources: EPA, EIA