What's water got to do with energy? Everything

If you live in Southern California, you’ve probably seen the television ad with the hand turning off a light switch and exhorting you to “Flex Your Power.”

Have you ever stopped and thought about that statement and what is implied beyond conserving electricity? Did it ever occurred to you that it takes water to create energy, and energy to get that water to us?

Power plants, including nuclear power plants, rely heavily on water for cooling purposes. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists: "Cooling power plants requires the single largest share of U.S. freshwater withdrawals: 41%."

Water also is used to pump crude oil out of the ground, help remove pollutants from power plant exhaust, generate steam that turns turbines and flush away residue after fossil fuels are burned. To produce energy from oil and natural gas, water is used for drilling, completion, fracturing and refining. Water is a key element in biofuels too, vital to grow, refine and distribute such fuels.

How much water it takes to ....

Given all of this, it takes approximately 25 gallons of water to produce 1 kilowatt hour of electricity; 13 gallons of water to produce 1 gallon of gasoline; and 5 or more barrels of water to produce a single barrel of oil from mining oil shale. It takes more water to power homes and appliances than a family uses inside the home. Windmills and solar photovoltaic panels require much less water per kilowatt generated than coal, nuclear and other thermoelectric plants.

Almost 10% of total national energy use is devoted to extracting, moving and treating water.  The amount of energy used to deliver water to residential customers in Southern California is equivalent to approx one-third of total average household electricity use.

Everything consumers buy requires water and energy to make. Electronics, cotton and paper are some of the most water-intensive products. The average American spends about $1,500 a year on electronics, from computers to home entertainment systems.The water required to create your laptop could wash nearly 70 loads of laundry in a standard machine.

Every time you shave minutes off your use of hot water, you save energy and water, keeping more dollars in your pocket. One of the easiest, most effective ways to cut your energy and water footprint is by repairing leaky faucets and toilets, which also saves you money on your water bill.

Making smart energy decisions can greatly reduce the pressure our demand for electricity places on our water supplies. Since every kilowatt takes gallons of water to produce, consider shifting to energy-efficient lighting and appliances. You will save water, energy and Mother Earth.

So the next time you walk out of or into a room not being used, and the lights or appliances are on, be a dear and turn them off!!

Charming Evelyn is a member of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter's Water Committee.