A Neighbourhood-Level Analysis of the Impact of Common Urban Forms on Energy Use in Drinking Water Distribution Systems

This paper examined the link between common urban forms in North America and the energy use of drinking water distribution systems. (The urban form of an urban area relates to its street topology and population density.) Common street topologies and neighborhood population densities were combined to evaluate the impact on pumping energy and embodied energy in drinking water distribution systems. Embodied energy included the life-cycle activities required for the fabrication, transportation, and initial installation of pipes. The results indicated that the gridiron topology had a lower embodied and pumping energy use than the warped parallel and cul-de-sac/loop topologies. The high population density associated with the gridiron topology produced a lower per capita water demand and pumping energy use.