Study: Efficiency upgrades at urban water utilities can conserve energy, cut costs

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently published a study on

how energy efficiency in urban water-supply sources can be cost-effective, promoting energy and water savings for the water-utility sector.

"While there have been some macro-level examinations of this sector, NEMA's component-level energy study appears to be the first of its kind," NEMA President and CEO Kevin Cosgriff said.

 The study report, “Increasing Energy Efficiency in Urban Water Systems: Summary Report,” is a collaborative effort between NEMA and water consultancy GEI Consultants Inc., and with more than 50,000 water utilities in the U.S. that vary in age and functionality, NEMA narrowly focused on electricity in water sourcing, treatment and delivery sectors. Each utility's level of modernization, energy consumption and water movement varied, and no central database on energy savings and related data exists.

"The summary report affirms that there is clear indication of an opportunity for metering and for control- and software-based management systems," Cosgriff said. "And we heard loud and clear that utilities want to know more about available energy-saving products and workforce development resources."