Public Water Energy Efficiency

There is significant potential for gains in energy efficiency (EE) in the U.S. water sector that, if realized, would support the security of water supply for its various uses at a lower cost over the long run than business as usual. This paper specifically examines the potential benefits of and barriers to EE implementation in the publicly-supplied water sector in the United States. The paper addresses this specific piece of the water sector to provide a focus on areas where local governments and municipal water utilities operate and can directly and quickly effect change. I examine the potential for EE along each stage of the public water cycle. Using case studies of communities that have tried to improve EE in their water sectors, I discuss the incentives and disincentives to implementing energy efficiency policy in the public water sector and assess the success of several water utility EE programs. I conclude with a recommendation for local government leaders and water utility administrators to collaborate on designing and financing energy efficiency measures in the public water system.