Douglas E. Huxley, William D. Bellamy, Priya Sathyanarayan, and Matt Ridens

OBJECTIVES:

The intent of this project was to assist water utilities in understanding the need and purpose in quantifying the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of their operations, and to provide the information necessary to prepare GHG inventories in accordance with accepted standards. The project was also intended to provide a framework for development and evaluation of management strategies for reduction of GHG emissions and responding to the impacts of climate change.

BACKGROUND:

Water utilities have a number of reasons to begin to assess the GHG emissions directly or indirectly caused by their operations, including existing and developing regulations that require emission inventories and reporting, the development of a carbon tax and cap-and-trade regulation of GHG emissions, stakeholder initiatives demanding action, and environmental stewardship goals. In addition, the pace of regulatory developments and other drivers for responses to climate change is expected to increase.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The project report provides a comprehensive summary of existing protocols and quantification tools, the fundamental accounting principles used to create a GHG emission baseline inventory, a method of data management specific to water utilities, numerous examples of emission calculations, a discussion of emission sources that are unique to water utilities, and strategies for managing GHG emissions through internal reduction and external project opportunities.

APPROACH:

The goals for this project were to develop a water utility GHG emission inventory guidance document, develop a GHG emission inventory protocol, and identify GHG emission management strategies. The overall project approach was to (1) conduct a comprehensive literature search to identify relevant information associated with the creation of a GHG emission inventory, with particular emphasis on tools and protocols that would be applicable to the water industry, and (2) work with and survey water agencies, the California Climate Registry, and the California Urban Water Association to obtain relevant stakeholder information.

RESULTS/FINDINGS:

This project collected and compiled information from numerous sources that water utilities would need to understand and begin the process of developing a GHG emissions inventory. Much of the information provided would apply to any facility attempting to develop this type of inventory; however, the following information would also be of specific use to water utilities:

• GHG emission baseline inventory data will be more useful to a water utility if it is organized and analyzed in a way that is congruent with typical water utility functionality, that is, by source, treatment, distribution, buildings/infrastructure, fleet, and other.

• Using the recommended matrix organizing the data by sector (i.e., source, treatment, etc.) and scope (direct, indirect, and optional indirect), a water utility can develop benchmarks for its total GHG inventory as well as by scope.

• Issues regarding GHG inventory impacts of onsite renewable energy generation (in particular, hydropower) by water utilities.

• Issues regarding the affect of water conservation projects on GHG emissions and ability of water utilities to claim such reductions against their inventory based on existing contractual agreements, registry rules, and the method by which emissions are reported.

IMPACT:

The prevailing scientific opinion is that anthropogenic GHG emissions are affecting the earth's climate. Water utilities will be affected by resulting regulation and changing water supplies and consumer demand. Proactive utilities will explore ways in which to accommodate and manage these changes, which includes identifying, measuring, and if possible, reducing GHG emissions. The comprehensive guidance compiled in the project report will allow water utilities to practically manage their GHG emissions without the significant investment of finances and time that would be required if each utility were to investigate this matter independently.

RESEARCH PARTNER:

California Urban Water Agencies

PARTICIPANTS:

Santa Clara Valley Water District