Power down the pipe

Water distribution is the most energy-intensive activity in high and dry places. An estimated one quarter (25%) of America's electricity consumption is associated with moving and treating water. Is it any different in your city? Let us know.

Southern Nevada used about 853.8 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2008 to move 439,187 acre-feet of water into valley homes and businesses, according the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Another 119.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity was used that year to treat 22,501 acre-feet of water and send it back to the lake.

When the power is mostly from coal, that means something! Utah is 93% coal dependent and has the largest average household size (3.01) - meaning water consuming appliances will be used intensively in the average home. The per-capita water consumption average in Utah is 250 gallons, way over the 75 gallon national average, with 60% of all water consumed going for yard irrigation.

The national standard in India is around 200 litres per capita per day and even in its silicon valley, Bangalore, the availability is much lesser. Equity issues aside, to pump around 900 mld of water from 300-600 depth, the BWSSB spends about 65 percent of its income (Rs 140 crores) on power!

What can you as a citizen do? For one, harvest rainwater and use recycled water for cleaning cars! Not water pumped from such distances at such costs, such power! Reduce your water print. And share your ideas.