The water and sewerage sectors' combined emissions account for just over 1% of total UK emissions, while household water heating accounts for a further 5%. Energy use, particularly electricity, is the largest source of emissions in the sector. Water efficiency measures should therefore result in reduced emissions from a lower demand for water and wastewater treatment and pumping, as well as from decreased domestic water heating. Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) is actively pursuing measures to reduce its carbon footprint. This paper investigated the carbon impacts of implementing a household water efficiency programme in Northern Ireland. Assuming water savings of 59.6 L/prop/day and 15% uptake among households, carbon savings of 0.6% of NI Water's current net operational emissions are achievable from reduced treatment and pumping. Adding the carbon savings from reduced household water heating gives savings equivalent to 6.2% of current net operational emissions. Cost savings to NI Water are estimated as £300,000 per year. The cost of the water efficiency devices is approximately £1.6 million, but may be higher depending on the number of devices distributed relative to the number installed. This paper has shown clear carbon benefits to water efficiency, but further research is needed to examine social and cost impacts.
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Research Article|
September 21 2013
Water efficiency as a means of reducing carbon emissions in Northern Ireland (NI) water
Beatrice Smyth
;
1
NI Water, Westland House, 40 Old Westland Road, Belfast, BT14 6TE N Ireland, UK2
Current address: Clean Energies Research Group, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AH, N Ireland, UK
E-mail: beatrice.smyth@qub.ac.uk
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Alan Crilly
;
Alan Crilly
1
NI Water, Westland House, 40 Old Westland Road, Belfast, BT14 6TE N Ireland, UK
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Karen McDowell
Karen McDowell
1
NI Water, Westland House, 40 Old Westland Road, Belfast, BT14 6TE N Ireland, UK
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Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2013) 62 (8): 525-533.
Article history
Received:
March 15 2013
Accepted:
July 19 2013
Citation
Beatrice Smyth, Alan Crilly, Karen McDowell; Water efficiency as a means of reducing carbon emissions in Northern Ireland (NI) water. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 December 2013; 62 (8): 525–533. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2013.061
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Beatrice Smyth, Alan Crilly, Karen McDowell; Water efficiency as a means of reducing carbon emissions in Northern Ireland (NI) water. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 December 2013; 62 (8): 525–533. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2013.061
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