Cutting Your Energy Usage and Costs

Environmental management systems (EMS) involve a set of management processes and procedures that allow an organization to analyze and reduce the environmental impact of its activities. EPA has developed a step-by-step workbook to help utilities use an EMS approach to reduce energy use at water and wastewater facilities and is holding a number of workshops to promote the approach.

Ensuring a Sustainable Future: An Energy Management Guidebook for Wastewater and Water Utilities (PDF) (113 pp, 1.2MB, About PDF)

Best Energy Practices

Once you know your baseline energy use and where you are consuming the most energy, you can identify and prioritize energy conservation opportunities. These opportunities are often easily achievable and involve implementation of best industry practices for energy management.

Water and Wastewater Energy Best Practice Guidebook (93 pp, 923 KB)
Evaluation of Energy Conservation Measures for Wastewater Treatment Facilities (PDF) (222 pp, 7.08 MB)
Water & Wastewater Energy Management Best Practices Handbook (PDF) (94 pp, 1.26 MB)
Energy Efficiency RFQ/RFP Guidance for Water-Wastewater Projects (2 pp, 104 KB) - The Consortium for Energy Efficiency guidance for requests for qualifications (RFQs) or requests for proposals (RFPs) is an informational resource for water and wastewater utilities seeking to improve the energy performance of their facilities through an upgrade, expansion or new construction project. After reading this Guidance, municipal RFQ/RFP writers should have an increased understanding of how to translate interest in energy efficiency into solicitations for energy improvement projects.
Consortium For Energy Efficiency Premium Efficiency Motors List
Improving Pumping System Performance, A Sourcebook for Industry (PDF) (122 pp, 3,154 KB)
How to Hire an Energy Services Company (ESCO) (PDF) (112 pp, 1,282 KB)

Case Studies

Case Studies in Residual Use and Energy Conservation at Wastewater Treatment Plants (PDF) (EPA 832-R-95-003) (71 pp, 5,096 KB)
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Green Project Reserve of 2009, through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, provided funding for a number of energy efficiency projects. The case study, "Increasing Energy Efficiency Through ARRA Funding: New York State Wastewater Initiatives (PDF)," (EPA-830-F-10-001) (4 pp, 3,176 KB) highlights many energy-efficient, ARRA-funded activities and achievements at wastewater facilities throughout New York State.

Training

EPA's Office of Water is conducting a series of energy management workshops around the country to help water sector utilities develop energy management programs, using EPA's Energy Management Guide for Wastewater and Water Utilities. For details on these workshops, please see EPA's Final Energy Management Highlight Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 164 KB).
The ENERGY STAR program recently added wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities to the suite of facilities addressed under its Portfolio Manager , an interactive energy management tool that can be used to track and assess energy and water consumption. The tool can help a utility set targets for investment priorities, verify efficiency improvements, and calculate its carbon footprint. ENERGY STAR offers free, online training to help get you started. No travel, no lost time out of the office, and no cost. EPA makes it easy to get the information you need today.

Paying for Energy Efficiency Improvements

EPA's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) serve as an important source of financing for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Equipment upgrades to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use are eligible for funding from these programs.

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. DSIRE provides information about energy incentives, tools, and resources in each state.
Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)
This FEMP Web page provides information on incentives, by state, regarding energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
Industrial Technologies Program - State Incentives and Resources Programs
The States Incentives and Resources Database provides information about energy incentives, tools, and resources in each state.
How to Finance Public Sector Energy Efficiency Projects

State Efforts to Promote Energy Efficiency

States are beginning to develop programs to assist public water systems and wastewater treatment facilities to better manage their energy use.

Massachusetts - Energy Management Pilot for Wastewater and Drinking Water Plants
Wisconsin - The Energy Center of Wisconsin developed a report that looked at energy use at drinking water facilities, which included information on steps facilities can take to reduce their energy use. The state public service commission has a link to the final report .
New York - The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority offers financial assistance to municipalities to identify opportunities and install new equipment for energy-efficiency upgrades in their water and wastewater treatment facilities. Some projects include benchmarking of energy performance, 50:50 cost shares for energy assessments by pre-qualified consultants, and the installation of sub-metering equipment to determine the energy consumption of the various processes within the facility.

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