Assessing the carbon footprint of water supply and distribution systems

Water utilities are demonstrating increasing concern about the growing threat of climate change. The vast majority of energy consumed by these utilities is used to pump water and is a significant source of greenhouse emissions. Moreover, a large percentage of that energy is then lost in the distribution system through pipe friction, across control valves, and at customer taps. Energy loss is wasteful in systems requiring pumping. In gravity systems, it is a potential free energy source squandered. This article describes a simple approach for calculating the carbon footprint of the energy use in distribution systems and introduces a method for assessing distribution system efficiency. The new measure will enable the water industry to conceive and formulate optimized decisions for potential energy savings to reduce its carbon footprint, thus contributing to healthier air quality, minimizing environmental impacts, and improving water efficiency and infrastructure sustainability.