Water-Energy Legislative Policy Principles

The use of water requires energy. Energy is used by consumers and in the treatment and delivery of water. Residential use of water, alone, accounts for 5.5 percent of all electricity consumed in the United States. This includes energy used to heat, treat and pressurize water, as well as transport ground and surface water from its original source to the residential user. The water and wastewater sector consumes about 4 percent of total electricity used in the U.S. In California, water and wastewater agencies are already meeting some of their electricity demand with renewable energy. Currently, these facilities generate over 3,000 MW of renewable energy and an additional 1000 MW are under development.