Drops of Energy: Conserving Urban Water in California to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Water use means energy use. The state pumps and treats water and consumers View Drops of Energy: Conserving Urban Water in California to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissionsuse water in energy-intensive ways, such as through water heating and pressurizing. Consequently, the consumption of water in California requires approximately 20 percent of the state’s electricity, 30 percent of its non-power plant natural gas, and 88 million gallons of diesel fuel annually. This paper focuses on urban water use, defined as usage by residents, non-farm businesses, industries, and municipalities.