Peak Oil Task Force Report - City of Bloomington - State of Indiana

VULNERABILITIES
Production of Bloomington’s water is energy intensive and produces a large quantity of
Bloomington’s greenhouse gas emissions. The treatment and pumping of water requires
approximately one million kilowatt hours per month. This usage translates into a price tag
of almost $60,000 per month. 59
Grid vulnerability means two things. First, as oil becomes more costly, it is reasonable to
anticipate that individuals and institutions will power their vehicles and heat their homes
and other buildings with electricity. This will put increased strain on an aging grid and will
trigger more frequent grid failure. Therefore, we must think through ways to provide
water in light of a compromised grid. Secondly, we know that as the demand for electricity
rises, so too will its price. It is only sound fiscal policy that we address ways in which we
might lower the cost of treating water. Given the City’s commitment to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, any prudent remedy will not call for increased carbon
emission. 60
Lastly, Bloomingtonians use a lot of water. Subtracting out the IU on‐campus housing
population, Bloomington residents use an average of 85 gallons per capita per day. 61 In the
U.S., typical domestic indoor per capita water use is 80‐100 gallons per capita per day; 62
outdoor water use can increase that rate to as much as 165 gallons per day. 63 Meanwhile,
the average (western, industrialized) European uses an average of 53 gallons per day. 64
59 This energy is supplied by Duke Power primarily from coal combustion plants. Because of combustion inefficiencies
and transmission line losses, an estimated 6,600 short tons of coal per year are burned to generate the power to treat and
pump water to Bloomington area residents, resulting in carbon dioxide releases to the atmosphere of about 19,000 tons,
or 1 lb. of CO2 for each 134 gallons of water treated and delivered.
60 Mayor Kruzan has signed the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement and the City Council has endorsed ratification of
the Kyoto Protocol. See http://bloomington.in.gov/media/media/application/pdf/927.pdf
61 Black & Veatch, Water Supply.
62 U.S. E.P.A., National Performance Track, Water http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack/tools/wateruse.htm
63 Christopher Kloss, U.S. E.P.A., Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure: Municipal Handbook – Rainwater
Harvesting Policies, EPA‐833‐F‐08‐010 (December 2008).
64 Water Aid 2006.
Report of the Bloomington Peak Oil Task Force
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