Evaluating water resource management in the face of a carbon market

Abstract

This article discusses tremendous opportunities for water supply and wastewater treatment authorities to contribute to long‐term CO2 emissions reductions through better water resource management. With these opportunities also comes an enormous responsibility to find a balance among energy efficiency, water resource management, and CO2 emission reductions. This balance is unique to each municipal water provider and depends on numerous factors. This article examines three components of the water energy link: subregional energy generation; water resource availability; and, distribution system upgrades and conservation programs. By using examples from three municipal water supply authorities (Chicago, Illinois; Arvada, Colorado; and James City County, Virginia) with markedly different geographical and water resource situations, variations in need and the potential for water conservation and CO2 emission reduction is demonstrated.