For most people in the developed world, getting access to clean drinking water is as simple as turning on a tap. Would that paying for water were so simple. But when we think about the water we consume, few of us realise that as much as 80% of its cost is associated with electricity use – a figure that’s as high in Britain as in drought-prone California.
It is surprising, then, that the energy argument rarely features in discussions about preserving water. Yes, water is itself a valuable and vulnerable resource. But when we wash our clothes, have a shower or simply rinse a mug, we should also keep in mind that energy is going down the drain. Let’s talk about our water future alongside our energy future. Read more
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