13060 Highway 9
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
831-338-2153

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Our Carbon Footprint
Greenhouse gas emissions

What is a carbon footprint and how is it measured?

A carbon footprint is the total CO2 and other greenhouse gases produced by a home, business or government agency. To measure its carbon footprint, SLVWD joined the California Climate Action Registry (CCAR) in 2007 and the national Climate Action Registry in 2008.

Using CCAR's established protocols, SLVWD inventoried all of its greenhouse gas emissions in 2006 LINK TO 2006 GHG EMISSIONS REPORT and 2007 LINK TO 2007 GHG EMISSIONS REPORT, and 2008 LINK TO 2008 GHG EMISSIONS REPORT. CCAR certified these results, in 2010, recognizing SLVWD as a "Climate Action Leader." SLVWD is now working on its 2009 inventory.

What are SLVWD's sources of greenhouse gas emissions?

As the chart below shows, SLVWD's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions is electricity, which is used mostly to operate our deep-water wells. SLVWD purchases our electricity from PG & E, which includes both fossil-fuel and alternative energy sources in its mix. Clearly, well-pumping is our largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.


Comparing SLVWD’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions from 2006, 2007 & 2008

The chart above shows the District’s greenhouse gas emissions over the past three years, by source. 2008 emissions, shown in yellow, include estimates for the Felton water system for the entire year (a reporting requirement), even though the District acquired that system in September 2008.

Mobile combustion

Note that mobile combustion from the District’s vehicle fleet has increased slightly from year to year, especially with the addition of the Felton system in 2008. This was primarily due to increased driving to service the Felton area.

Stationary combustion

The District’s emissions from stationary combustion are generated by natural gas and fuels to run generators. Note that these emissions have remained relatively low and about the same from 2006-2008.

Purchased electricity

Clearly, electricity is the source of most of the District’s greenhouse gas emissions, and emissions have increased significantly from 2006 through 2008. The large majority of the District’s electricity, which is purchased from PG&E, powers groundwater pumping and booster bumps.

Since 2006 was a wet year, groundwater pumping started relatively late in the season, and demand was not as high.

Since 2007 was a very dry year, groundwater pumping started relatively early in the season, and demand was high.

2008 was also a dry year, but not as dry as 2007. Even though the District used about the same amount of electricity in 2008 as it did in 2007, its greenhouse gas emissions increased dramatically. This increase was the result of PG & E’s change in its mix of electricity sources for that year, a factor which the District has no control over.

How can SLVWD reduce its green house gas emissions?

The SLVWD Board approved a climate change resolution in September 2008 LINK TO CLIMATE CHANGE RESOLUTION that commits the District to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020.

SLVWD cannot control the weather or droughts. But we can and do encourage water conservation as a way of life. The less water we use, the less energy we consume, and the lower our greenhouse gas emissions.

SLVWD has installed solar panels at its wastewater treatment plant and other facilities, and more solar panels are planned.

SLVWD is also working to reduce fuel consumption by its vehicle fleet, phasing out the most fuel intensive vehicles and replacing them with more efficient ones.

How is SLVWD addressing the impacts of climate change?

SLVWD's 2009 Watershed Management Plan LINK TO CHAPTER 7 and 2009 Water Supply Master Plan LINK TO WATER SUPPLY MASTER PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY both discuss how climate change will affect local water supplies. There are likely to be more dry spells, so that water conservation becomes even more important.

SLVWD continues to work collaboratively with other local water agencies to prepare for climate change impacts on local water supplies LINK TO 4/23/08 PRESS RELEASE.

   

 

February 16, 2011