How water conservation benefits energy savings & the environment
Posted on Wed, May 25, 2011 @ 01:47 PM
I read a
real interesting article today about a study in California on the link between saving water and reductions in energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
The findings of the report included:
- California uses a tremendous amount of energy to meet water needs every year: 20% of all electricity generated, 88 million gallons of diesel, and 30% of natural gas produced.
- This energy use accounts for over 100 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
- The energy is used for pumping, water treatment, and water delivery, as well as in water-related energy consumption at the household level, such as hot water heaters and dishwashers.
How does this affect you? There's a takeaway for your concrete, asphalt, or mining site:
- If you think water is free or cheap, guess again. Like the study above, at your plant there is energy associated with water pumping, transmission, heating or cooling, treatment and disposal. That energy is not free, and is using electricity or some other form of fuel.
- The associated water costs may be significant. Since the automatic assumption is that water costs are minimal, few really take the time and effort to determine the real costs of water. It's likely an eye-opener!
- The energy use associated with water use at your plant does contribute to impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions. Based on the results of the study mentioned above, the total impact from your plant and that of others may be pretty significant in your state, country, and our world.
Sustainable water management at your concrete or construction materials plant, including activities such as potable water minimization and conservation, process water recycling, and even stormwater harvesting where possible, all help the environment. These activities also help us all by reducing our overall energy consumption as well as our resulting greenhouse gas emissions.
But on the plant level, good water management makes good business sense. Water isn't free, and it may not even be cheap. Doing your part isn't only good for the environment, it also may add more profit to your bottom line.
If you haven't considered having a thorough analysis of your water footprint, and it's impact on your business and the environment,
contact us today.
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