Rural Community Assistance Partnership

Practical solutions for improving rural communities
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Energy Efficiency at Wastewater Treatment Facilities

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  • Are your community’s utility costs rising faster than revenues?
  • Are you afraid or unwilling to raise your rates?
  • How would you like to cut your utility’s energy bills by 10 to 40 percent or more?

Facts:

  • 30 to 60 percent of a municipality’s energy budget is spent on the treatment of water and wastewater.
  • According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, energy audits typically identify potential savings to the user of 10 to 40 percent, with 20 percent being the average.
  • Over the next 15 years, the cost of electricity is expected to increase by 20 percent.

This video presents to those in small, rural communities who are responsible for managing and overseeing wastewater treatment systems - boards or other governing bodies, staff and decision-makers - opportunities for saving on energy costs (many opportunities in the video also apply to drinking water facilities). The video helps these leaders find and start implementing ways to make energy use at their facilities more efficient.

Energy-saving projects implemented now will have a compounding effect, meaning energy cost savings will continue to grow into the future.

RCAP staff across the United States are able to carry out energy audits for drinking water and wastewater facilities. Find the contact information your RCAP region at rcap.org/regions

Format: 
Video
Topic: 
Operations - technical operations of facilities and infrastructure
Energy use
Planning
Conservation
Source: 
RCAP
Audience: 
Operator
Board/council member
Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)
Plant manager
Financial manager/accountant/bookkeeper