Water Consumption and Management Practices

Fresh water is a finite resource and requires care in California—from the management of storm-water runoff to the design of alternative cooling water systems at power plants. At PG&E, we are making strides to protect and conserve this valuable resource by implementing a variety of water conservation activities and storm-water best management practices programs.

Conserving Water through Alternative Cooling Systems

For example, in 2006, PG&E began using "portable" bridges to allow trucks and equipment to cross rivers and streams for PG&E's timber management program; we are one of the first utilities to implement such an approach. By using the portable bridges instead of culverts or earthen fill, PG&E is reducing the amount of sediment going into the watercourses, thus protecting water quality and fisheries' habitat. Moving forward, the bridges will be made available to other company departments for use during construction projects where watercourses need to be crossed.

Portable bridges, like this one crossing the Stanislaus River, minimize impacts to water quality and habitat from PG&E sustainable forestry operations.

Storm-Water Management

In California, storm-water runoff is a serious problem, with rainwater "running off" the landscape into nearby lakes, rivers, wetlands and coastal waters (as well as groundwater)—potentially transporting pollutants along the way. Recognizing the importance of this issue, in 2006, PG&E rolled out a storm-water best management practices (BMP) program for our service centers; the goal of the program is to reduce and eliminate pollutants such as sediments, oil, grease and trash from entering storm drains, culverts and waterways. The BMPs were developed based on a detailed assessment of our service center operations and involved input from numerous lines of business.

To help raise awareness about the program, PG&E provided training for more than 8,500 fleet, construction and operations staff—highlighting steps they can take in everyday operations to protect water quality. In parallel with the program, we launched a storm-drain stenciling campaign—where storm-drains at the company's 172 service centers were stenciled to provide a visible reminder for employees.

Linking Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation

At certain PG&E customer facilities—such as food processing plants and wineries—saving water can also reap huge energy and cost-saving rewards. Every gallon conserved through an industrial process improvement can save energy through a reduction of water pumped, water heated and water treated prior to discharge.

In 2006, PG&E worked closely with Sonoma Wine Company on its plans to
double production at an existing custom bottling facility. The integrated design

In addition to insulating their wine tanks, a planned roof above Sonoma Wine Company's tank farm will catch and divert rainwater from their treated waste stream. Photo courtesy of Sonoma Wine Company.

recommendations being implemented by the company will earn $260,000 in energy efficiency incentives, save $266,000 on gas and electricity each year, and save enough water to eliminate the customer's need to build additional treatment ponds and apply for additional water discharge permits.

Such projects reduce both water and energy use, and PG&E is developing a pilot to expand upon existing programs to save the energy "embedded" in water. For example, a significant amount of energy is used to collect, treat and distribute water to customers, and then to collect and treat the wastewater. More efficient appliances and fixtures, such as low-flow showerheads, high-efficiency clothes washers and low-flow pre-rinse spray valves help customers save money, water and energy; these appliances and fixtures also reduce the amount of natural gas used to heat water.

To target water-embedded energy savings, PG&E is partnering with East Bay Municipal Utility District, Santa Clara Valley Water District and Sonoma County Water Agency.