Currents

An Energy Newsletter for Local Governments

Third Annual Water Conservation Showcase

Celebrate World Water Day by attending the 3^rd Annual Water Conservation Showcase on Wednesday, March 22^nd. This event will provide information on water-conserving strategies for building designers, managers and operators through presentations and table-top displays. This event is organized through the efforts ot :

• Northern California Chapter – US Green Building Council
  (http://www.usgbc.org/chapters/northerncalifornia/)
• East Bay Municipal Utility District
  (http://www.ebmud.com/)
• Build It Green
  (http://www.builditgreen.org/)
• The Pacific Energy Center
  (http://www.pge.com/pec/)

Many experts believe that water will surpass energy as the most notorious and coveted resource in California. The state has experienced extended droughts in the past (the last one from 1987-1992), has grown in population by about 15% since the last drought, and has limited reserves in snow pack and reservoirs. These and the unpredictability of long-tern precipitation levels place us in a constant state of anxiety about our future water supply. Some of the other issues contributing to the California water challenge include the fact that we dedicate about 75% of available water to agriculture and a large portion is diverted from northern California to our neighbors in the more arid south.

Water also has significant energy implications. The Californian State Water Project that is responsible for moving water from sources to customers is the single largest user of energy in the state. Additional energy is required to heat, cool, pump and treat water. Reducing water use produces significant electricity and natural gas savings.

Presentations: The showcase will include lectures by experts from state and local governments, water districts, research institutions and engineering firms. These talks will address recent research, new water policies, technological developments, and case studies for both commercial and residential building projects. The water-energy relationship will be included in several of the presentations.

Exhibits: Recent studies estimate that up to one-third of California’s current urban water use can be saved using existing technologies, many of which will be discussed at the presentations or displayed in the vendor area. The vendor displays will feature the latest cutting edge products, systems and services available to help Californians conserve and wisely manage this most abused and critical natural resource. Products in the showcase may include water-efficient fixtures, drought-tolerant landscaping, gray-water equipment, permeable pavement, drip irrigation, and rainwater harvesting systems.

Registration: To attend the water showcase you must register at this web site: www.pge.com/pec/classes. You will find the Water Conservation Showcase by selecting “water efficiency” as the Primary Topic category on the web page.

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