The study conducted by UC Davis and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reveals that customer-focused water conservation programs are just as cost-effective (and in some cases, more cost-effective) as energy efficiency programs in reducing electricity use, GHGs, and other energy-intensive operations. The research highlights the importance of saving water, as it saves energy, with the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Energy Intensity and Water Conservation Programs
The energy required to move water from various sources to the LA basin varies. For instance, the Los Angeles Aqueduct is gravity-driven and produces electricity as water passes through hydroelectric plants, while the State Water Project and the Colorado River Aqueduct are energy consumers. The study applied three different estimates of energy intensity, which is the amount of energy embedded within water, and found that LADWP saved a considerable amount of energy through its water conservation programs.