Every Drop Counts: The Relationship Between Seattle’s Water Utilities and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
As cities strive to meet climate goals, municipal water systems have emerged as critical yet unexplored contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Seattle Public Utilities, which provides water to over 1.6 million people, aims for carbon neutrality by 2030. Despite Seattle’s relatively clean grid, water-related operations, particularly electricity use, account for approximately 60% of SPU’s GHG footprint. This study investigates how improving GHG emissions within Seattle’s water system can affect the city’s overall emissions and support its climate goals. Drawing on SPU’s 2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, the analysis identifies electricity and facility fossil fuels as a major emission sources within the water system. This paper synthesizes national frameworks, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guide to energy efficiency in water utilities, the global best practices from Amirrahmani (2024), which emphasizes the importance of governance, stakeholder engagement, and policy integration. Additionally, as part of my internship with SPU’s Water Efficiency team, I conducted research on water-electricity facilities, calculated emissions associated with water use, and estimated savings per gallon conserved. The water line of business contributes 60% of SPU’s overall emissions, and roughly 60% of this can be optimized through efficiency improvements in treatment processes, pumping, and building operations. The broader implications of this research suggest that Seattle’s leadership in water system decarbonization could serve as a replicable model for other municipalities. By aligning technical innovation with policy reform and community engagement, Seattle has the potential to redefine sustainable urban infrastructure and contribute meaningfully to global climate resilience.