Smart water use makes a difference to the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Energy is needed to supply water to your home and treat the waste water which leaves it. For instance pumps are used to pull water up from aquifers and energy is required to operate wastewater treatment plants.
The Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ)’s Water End Use and Efficiency Project found that in some regions, water supply and treatment makes up a significant proportion of local authorities’ greenhouse gas emissions - as much as 40% in some areas.
Resource consents are required by councils in order to take water, and some rivers and underground water sources can no longer be abstracted without causing environmental harm. Taking too much water can also reduce our enjoyment of waterways for recreational activities such as swimming, boating and fishing.
