Water and Watts

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute, based on an April 2009 issue brief, outlines the interdependence of water and energy systems in Georgia. It highlights the significant water requirements of thermoelectric power plants and the energy costs associated with water heating and treatment, while proposing policy priorities to improve efficiency and resource management.

• In Georgia, thermoelectric power plants account for 50% of all freshwater withdrawals to satisfy cooling requirements, with an estimated consumption of 1 gallon for every kWh produced.
• Water-related energy costs are significant, with water heating representing approximately 25% of a home's energy bill and water and wastewater treatment accounting for roughly 30% of municipal energy costs.
• Adopting high-efficiency fixtures and solar technology can lead to substantial savings; specifically, if 10% of Georgia homes upgraded to WaterSense labeled toilets and faucets, it would result in $24 million in water bill savings and $10 million in energy bill savings. Additionally, solar water heating systems can save homeowners $150 or more annually on energy bills.

APA

World Resources Institute (2009). Water and Watts. https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/southeast_water_and_watts_ga.pdf

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Water and Watts. 2009. https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/southeast_water_and_watts_ga.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Water and Watts |date=April 2009 |url=https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/southeast_water_and_watts_ga.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2009water, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Water and Watts}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2009}, month = apr, url = {https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/southeast_water_and_watts_ga.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }