Interactions between energy, greenhouse gas emissions and climate for urban water supply

Abstract

This paper examines the interactions between energy requirements, greenhouse gas emissions and the effects of climate change for the water supply system for metropolitan Adelaide. A computer model was developed to simulate the operation of the Adelaide system over a 40-year time horizon (2010 to 2050). The model includes a number of supply options such as runoff from local water supply catchments, water pumped from the River Murray, desalination and harvested stormwater and reclaimed wastewater. The security of supply, operating cost, energy requirements and greeenhouse gas emissions for various combinations of options is assessed for the projected planning horizon. The impacts of rainfa variability and changes in rainfa due to climate change is also assessed. It is concluded that the current headworks provide a high security of supply but have high operating cost, energy requirements and greenhouse gas emissions. There is a case for greater reliance on reclaimed stormwater and wastewater for non-potable use.