ABSTRACT
Energy represents the largest controllable cost of providing wastewater or water 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 be among the largest individual energy users in the community. In a National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) survey of energy use in a typical wastewater treatment plant, 38% of energy use was for in-plant pumping, 26% for aeration, 25% for effluent reuse pumping, and 11% for other purposes (Jones, 2006; USEPA, 2008).
