28 July 2009 in DC: Dialogue on Water-Energy Connection, 9:30 - Noon

Another big water event in DC on 28 July 2009.

In the morning before the National Water Policy event on Tuesday 28 July 2009, The University of Southern California, The Chronicles Group and The Metropolitan Water District invite you to a dialogue on the critical issues of the connection between water use and energy, and the value that water efficiency can bring to these issues.  In this session, a small group will discuss the issues as a way of sharing information about what we know, and what we are doing to address water, energy and efficiency opportunities.

Date: Tuesday 28 July

Time: 9:30 – noon

Please contact Dr. Mark Bernstein (mabernst@usc.edu) by 23 July 2009 for more information (such as the location). Space is limited - first-come, first-served. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

 

The Dialogue

There is an increasing recognition among water and energy decision makers that there is a nexus between water and energy and that we need to understand it better. The water industry is one of the most energy intensive industries in the U.S.  We also understand that as water becomes more difficult to supply, more energy will be needed for the industry.   Given these concerns we would like to share information on the following questions: 

There is a lack of quality information about the energy used in water and vice versa.  That information would be quite valuable for understanding the connections and helping to create planning solutions for water agencies.

What information about the water-energy nexus and alternative approaches to resource management is needed?

What is the value of increasing resource efficiency for water agencies? How can you position yourselves to take advantage of the opportunities created by future climate and energy policy?

What lessons can be learned from experience?

I'll see you there. Please be sure to RSVP; if too few people express interest, it may be canceled.

“Real wealth is ideas plus energy." -- R. Buckminster Fuller

Comments

[Richard Nielsen]

Until people stop having to wait for hot water in homes and businesses there will always be millions of gallons of water wasted every day. With that wasted water is the waste of energy used in making that water potable and having it delivered / pumped throughout the water distribution network. Wasted chemicals used in processing the water to make it potable. Let us also not forget the "extra" energy required by waste water treatment plants when clean water enters these plants. A 20year waste water treatment plant operator once stated that removing just 20% of the clean water that enters into a waste water treatment plant would extend the life of the treatment plant by up to 7 years.

A high percentage of a state’s energy consumption is from the processing and delivery of potable drinking water. Putting more water into the system will only put more of a strain on underground delivery pipes that are already at their life expectancy. News reports of underground pipes bursting from old age are all too common. The priority should be placed on responsible use of water resources and not on how to put more water into the system.

Campaigns which ask people to conserve water produce limited results, have no guarantee of working and often have no long-term effects. A proven solution that guarantee's reduction in water consumption and waste has been working in drought area's for years. The programs year after year continuance indicates valuable savings are occurring and worth continued investment.

Technology in hot water circulation has leap frogged over the past 10 years. Today's hot water circulators no longer require continuous running pumps that waste large amounts of energy. In the past, homes required a hot water circulation system be installed when the home was built, this is no longer the case. Hot water circulators of today can be installed by homeowners themselves in less than 30 minutes. When people no longer wait for hot water they save water as well as power because lights are on less. The benefits from reduced stress and frustration by living a more efficient lifestyle are obvious.

Efficient hot water readiness saves limited resources and time. Like any other products there are those that do the job efficiently and then there are those that do the job inefficiently. Running out and purchasing a price-based engineered hot water circulator results in frustrations from now having to wait for cold water and from your water heater consuming energy needlessly due to poorly engineered products that sacrifice efficiency, consumer comfort and cause hot water line siphoning when cold water is utilized.
Since installing our hot water circulator with owner optimized adjustable temperature control our life has changed for the better. We no longer have to wait a minute or more for hot water before showering or hand washing. The routine of turning on the shower and returning a minute later once the water is finally hot are over forever. Our family will no longer be wasting gallons and gallons of water every day waiting for hot water, like before. Any product which makes life more efficient and saves water and frustration multiple times a day should be given national attention and news worthy status for immediate savings of water resources.