Energy Audits for Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities
Providing wastewater and drinking water service to Pennsylvania communities requires energy – and a lot of it! Steadily rising energy costs require water and wastewater authorities to better manage energy consumption and identify areas for improvement. Water and wastewater energy consumption generally accounts for 30% to 60% of a local government’s energy bill.
Energy represents the largest controllable cost of providing water or wastewater services to the public. Most facilities were designed and built when energy costs were not a major concern. With large pumps, drives, motors, and other equipment operating 24 hours a day, water and wastewater utilities can account for some of the the largest individual energy expenses in a community.
At a time when many communities are striving to reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions, an Envinity energy audit can provide the tools and resources necessary to help eliminate energy waste and lower operating costs of water and wastewater utilities. A review or thorough study of a facility’s energy performance will identify areas for operational improvements and cost savings such as labor, chemicals, maintenance, and disposal costs. A thorough assessment may alert managers to other issues. An unexplained increase in energy consumption discovered through a utility bill analysis may be indicative of equipment failure, an obstruction, or other problems associated with facility operation.
A wastewater facility energy audit by Envinity allows you to discover ways to save money by improving the energy efficiency of your operations. We examine controls systems and aeration, and offer recommendations for operational improvements. Typically these may include variable frequency drives (VFDs), SCADA control systems, pumping operations and scheduling, building-related inefficiencies, and other upgrades to help your facility use less energy.
As part of the energy audit, you will receive a comprehensive energy management plan offering recommendations for retrofitting, replacement, and energy management opportunities. The plan contains a financial payback analysis, including estimated annual savings, estimated cost to implement, simple payback, and a savings-to-investment ratio (SIR) for each recommendation. This gives you an opportunity to prioritize energy efficiency measures according to your budget and plan for the future.
Many efficiency measures pay for themselves within the first five years. Nonetheless, it can still be a challenge to find funding to implement efficiency measures. Envinity works with municipalities to help identify financing measures and low interest loan identification. Contact us today to find out how your wastewater treatment facility can save money and improve energy efficiency with a comprehensive energy audit.
