Electricity Production Plays Big Role in Southeast Water Crisis

June 4, 2009

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Converting to more renewable energy sources would lessen the demand for water from thermoelectric power sources in the Southeast, much of which has been gripped by drought in recent years.

About 40 billion gallons a day are withdrawn from the fresh water supply for use in thermoelectric plants, or about 65 percent of the region’s water use, according to the Water For Watts report from the World Resources Institute.

Residential use, by comparison, totals 13 percent of the supply. Irrigation also accounts for 13 percent.

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Reader Comments

the title says renewable enrgy will offset water use by thermal electric plants and this is indeed true. why not include energy efficiency also as an option to reduce water consumption?

dave laybourn | June 6th, 2009

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