The City of Santa Fe announced the release of a comprehensive study evaluating the embedded energy use and carbon emissions associated with the City’s water system. Conducted by Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG) in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the study quantifies how decades of water conservation have significantly reduced electricity consumption, operational costs, and greenhouse gas emissions—demonstrating that water efficiency is one of Santa Fe’s most impactful sustainability investments.
Santa Fe has reduced per-capita water demand from 137 gallons per capita per day (GPCD) in 2000 to 98 GPCD in 2023—a nearly 30 percent reduction—while serving a population that has grown by approximately 40 percent. As a result, the City decreased total water production by 20 percent since 2000, preserving groundwater resources and avoiding increased energy use typically associated with serving a larger population.
Based on 2021–2023 operating data, the City’s water system uses an average of 28.3 million kWh of grid- supplied electricity annually and produces 24.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e). Santa Fe’s overall water system’s energy intensity is 3,460 kWh per acrefoot, and its carbon intensity is 3,249 lbs CO₂e per acrefoot, with water extraction and conveyance representing the largest share of energy use.
If 2023 water demand had remained at year2000 levels, Santa Fe would have needed to produce 13,400 acrefeet of water—far more than the actual 9,585 acrefeet it produced. The avoided demand resulted in estimated annual savings of: 3,815 acrefeet (or over 1 billion gallons) of water 9.8 million kWh of electricity $1.04 million in electricity costs 8.7 million lbs CO₂e from water system operations
The study also highlights substantial residential energy savings. Reduced indoor water use avoided approximately 10.2 million kWh of electric waterheating energy, 208 million cubic feet of natural gas, and 32.2 million lbs of CO₂e in one year alone.
Christine Chavez, Division Director for the City of Santa Fe Conservation and Sustainability Division says, "Santa Fe’s residents have shown for decades that conservation is a community value. This study proves that every gallon saved does more than protect our water supply—it reduces energy use, cuts carbon emissions, and strengthens our resilience. Conservation isn’t just a habit here; it’s a climate solution.”
"By analyzing the full water cycle—from extraction to treatment to wastewater—we can clearly see how Santa Fe’s long-term commitment to water efficiency delivers measurable environmental benefits,” stated Holly Cannon of ERG. “The City is demonstrating what’s possible when water conservation, renewable energy, and sustainability planning work hand in hand.”
This study was a result of a partnership created at the 2023 Next Generation Water Summit.
For more information contact Christine Chavez cychavez@santafenm.gov with the City of Santa Fe Conservation & Sustainability Division; Holly Cannon with ERG; or Doug Pushard with Kuelwater.