Ontario’s Water-Energy Nexus

Published On: April 1st, 2010

Author: Carol Maas

POLIS’ second report on the water-energy nexus offers Ontario’s first estimate of the large quantities of energy used to pump, treat and heat water and to generate steam. The study reveals that pumping and treating water and wastewater consumes enough energy to light every home in the province. In addition, heating water for activities such as showering and doing laundry was found to be the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the residential and commercial sectors because of the heavy reliance on fossil fuels. As a result of these findings, initiatives to support greater water conservation and efficiency could be a path to realizing future energy savings, to the benefit of municipalities, taxpayers and our environment.

Ontario's Water-Energy Nexus

Summary Report: Ontario's Water-Energy Nexus

Technical Appendices: Ontario's Water-Energy Nexus