Improving energetically operational procedures in wastewater treatment plants

Abstract

Water and wastewater systems are important energy consumers with an evaluated 3%-4% of total U.S. electricity consumption employed for the movement and treatment of water and wastewater. Water-energy problems are of increasing significance in the case of water shortages, more elevated energy and material costs, and a varying climate. In this economic context, it is vital for utilities to manage performances, both in water and energy utilization. Carrying out energy audits (EAs) at water and wastewater treatment facilities is one method community energy managers may recognize favorable occasions to save water, energy and money. In this review, the significance of energy utilization in wastewater facilities is shown by a case study of a process EA performed for Crested Butte, Colorado's wastewater treatment plant. The EA detected favorable occasions for crucial energy savings (ESs) by examining power intensive unit processes like influent pumping, aeration, ultraviolet disinfection, and solids handling. This case study shows best practices that may be easily applied by facility managers in their search for energy and financial savings in water and wastewater treatment. This article aims to ameliorate community energy managers' comprehension of the action that the water and wastewater sector performs in a community's total energy consumption. The energy efficiency roadmaps defined give information on ESs favorable occasions, which may be employed as a fundamental concept for treating energy management objectives with water and wastewater treatment facility managers. (c) 2018 The Authors. Published by IASE.