Saving Water Saves Energy Project

There’s no question that energy and water are related. In the U.S., more than 13% of our electrical energy goes to heat, treat and pump water supplies.

On the flip side, our nation’s electrical production represents 49% of the withdrawals from our rivers, wetlands and fresh water resources.

Additionally, carbon emissions related to our use of water is estimated at 290 million metric tons annually, or 5% of all carbon emissions in the U.S. This is equivalent to the annualgreenhouse gas emissions of 53 million passenger vehicles or emissions from the electricity use of over 40 million homes.

To start some of the work both mitigating and adapting to climate change, the Masco Corporation Foundation and HRWC have launched a 3-year project to develop and disseminate a home “Saving Water Saves Energy” campaign and toolkit for distribution to households in Southeast Michigan and for use by HRWC business partners as well as watershed organizations across the country. For details about climate change at the watershed level see Huron River Report Climate Change Edition, Winter 2009.

Goals

Studies show that a 25% reduction in water usage is well within our reach. HRWC’s goal is to show that promoting water efficiency and conservation can work as a strategy to mitigate climate change. HRWC will educate consumers about water-efficient plumbing products, water saving habits and practices and how saving water at home translates into energy savings, less greenhouse gas emissions, and doing something to combat climate change.

Strategic Partnerships

Early on, the project has led to partnerships with government, environment, and utility groups working on these issues at a national level.

• River Network, a national watershed protection movement that includes nearly 2,000 state, regional and local grassroots organizations whose primary mission is to protect rivers and watersheds.
• Alliance for Water Efficiency, a non-profit organization dedicated to the efficient and sustainable use of water.
• WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and services.

Tips and Tools

See the Save Water pages of our website for the latest and greatest resources on how you can save water, energy, money and the planet — all at the same time!

Join a Focus Group

Have you ever tried to save water? Tell us about your experience! Your valuable insight will help HRWC in teaching other Michigan homeowners to save water and energy.

Volunteer for our focus group or a short online or phone survey seeking your feedback for our “Saving Water Saves Energy” homeowners toolkit. We want to know what motivated you to save water and what helped you to succeed or not.

Contact Pam Labadie, HRWC Marketing Director, plabadie@hrwc.org or 734-769-5123 x 602 to participate in our focus group.