We Won’t Solve Decarbonization Issues Without Considering The Water-Energy Nexus

It’s not often that my jaw drops in disbelief, especially at a industry event.

But that’s exactly what happened. A couple months ago I heard from an industry professional – while discussing our nation’s water crisis -- that perhaps we need to rethink the notion that buildings require on-demand water delivery through plumbing systems at all times.?

Really? Are we so desperate that we might consider a return to 18th-century practices, never mind the fact that intermittent water availability could lead to higher cases of legionella and other diseases??

While I believe his point was that water availability is a vexing global issue, there’s a greater point to be made. And that is …?

Heavy-handed, one-size-fits-all approaches can often cause unintended consequences.

Indeed, that was the central theme of the article I wrote, regarding the water-energy nexus and water conservation, which was published earlier this month in PM Engineer Magazine . You can access it here.?

It’s a topic I ponder quite often, given the unrelenting nexus between water and energy. Quite often, well-intended but poorly thought-out decisions to make improvements in one area can have unforeseen effects that leave us in an even more critical situation.?

An example I discussed in the article is the drought and famine crisis in the Asian island country of Sri Lanka. In 2021, the government banned the use of all chemical fertilizers in an attempt to both cut costs and eliminate the sometimes harmful side effects of non-organic fertilizers.?

Unfortunately, the move, which had been hastily undertaken and poorly planned, severely backfired. The result has been widespread famine due to severe reductions in agricultural output, and an economy left in shambles. (The government has since reversed its decision.) It’s a painful reminder that our actions can have unintended consequences.?

That’s certainly true with respect to the water-energy nexus, something I deal with every day in my role in the world of water and plumbing. It’s a field rife with surprising facts, such as this: Did you know that while much of our nation’s focus on water conservation is centered on the public supply of water, actually the greatest amount of water consumption – 80% -- comes from farming and energy production.?

Thus, while I appreciate the desire to reduce both our water and energy usage in homes and buildings, we need to proceed with caution – because in our ecosystem, everything we do is inextricably linked. To paraphrase an old adage, we as engineers must be mindful of seeing both the forest and the trees.?

Here’s a perfect example of what I mean. In Phoenix, where I live, the population has doubled in the last 40 years or so. But during that time, water usage has actually declined. That’s because agriculture – which once predominated in the Valley of the Sun – requires more water than housing and buildings in urban environments.?

Talk about an unintended (and surprising) positive consequence.?

Similarly, I’m concerned that many in our industry discount the efficacy of nuclear power as a primary source of energy. While renewable energy sources (primarily, solar and wind) certainly have their place in our world to help us sustainably meet energy demand, nuclear – in my view – is clearly the safest and most reliable source of energy. That doesn’t negate the challenges associated with nuclear energy, but we must consider all the facts when making smart choices.

Ultimately, we need to be smarter in how we address all of the challenges and opportunities facing our world. And we won’t effectively solve most problems involving water and energy without understanding – and appreciating – that we must examine the issues holistically.?

Because energy and water are forever linked.?

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In other news:

The timeline for the development of the 2027 edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC?) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC?) is now available online. Get the details.

Headed to Design and Construction Week in Las Vegas? Make a plan to drop by the IAPMO booth N3105 at KBIS on February 1. I can’t wait for you to see how my employer is helping raise awareness about the opportunities for women in the plumbing industry.?