Water Services

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Programs are available for all residents of Albuquerque connected to the ABCWUA potable water system with specialized programs for low-income residents. Conservation offers to customers enrolled in the Low Income Assistance Credit Program (~800 per year) include monthly high consumption notices, follow up calls to walk them through leak detection or high consumption questions such as how to best save water outdoors, on-site leak and water efficiency audits, and connecting folks with other partners program that offer indoor water conservation kits.

For all customers we offer rebates for high efficiency washing machines ($100 rebate) for indoors, targeted leak audits and irrigation consultations, monthly newsletter reaching to 56,000 residents, performance based Large Water Use Customized Rebate Program and see attachments for our big focus area rebates. This portfolio of rebates was launched between 2019 and 2020.  

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority is improving energy efficiency and resiliency to climate change by implementing renewable energy projects at the production and reclamation plants, the largest sources of energy. Currently, 15% of total energy generation comes from solar and biogas renewable. 11% of the total energy used for treatment and pumping at the Water Treatment Plant comes from solar energy. 24% of the total wastewater reclamation system energy use is from renewable energy. ABCWUA uses operational dedicated funding to improve system energy resiliency and efficiency. Yearly goals and objectives for energy efficiency projects are developed to continually augment our renewable energy portfolio.

The Water Authority solar arrays generate 7.5 MW in electricity for its two treatment plants (drinking water and wastewater). The renewable energy produced by these facilities, plus participation in the local energy utility’s peak electrical demand response program, saves about $2 million annually. Twenty percent of the energy needs at these two plants are achieved through on-site solar arrays. A solar array is planned to be installed near the San Juan-Chama Raw Water Pump Station in 2023 offsetting 30% of the energy needs at the pump station. The solar arrays will provide a total of about 10 MW in electricity. Solar power is obtained through power purchase agreements ensuring no long-term costs to the Water Authority.

Additionally, the Water Authority recently completed a study to look at feasibility and possible benefits of incorporating Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) collected commercially to increase biogas energy generation while simultaneously addressing an ongoing operation and maintenance issue of FOG in the wastewater.

Last Updated: September 2023

Water Efficiency

Arlington County has not yet established a water efficiency target, nor does it have a partnership with the wayer utility to offer joint efficienct programs. 

Energy Efficiency and Self-Generation

Arlington’s wastewater treatment plant is discussed extensively throughout the County Operations Energy Plan, This plant has a 10% efficiency improvement target by 2020. However, this plant does not currently self-generate energy for on-site consumption.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

The Urban Forest Master Plan includes policies to encourage green infrastructure and manage stormwater runoff. 

Last Updated: May 2017

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint water and energy efficiency programs to customers, but Texas Gas Service does offer free water-saving kits to residential customers and direct installation measures including low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to commercial customers through CLEAResult. In addition, Austin implements tiered water pricing and offers rebates for residential customers such as WaterWise landscaping, rainwater harvesting, free shower heads, and other products and actions. There are also rebates available for businesses including rainwater harvesting and commercial process rebates.

In 2014, Austin’s city council adopted a goal to reduce total water use to 140 gallons per capita per day (GPCD) and residential water use to 85 gallons per capita per day by 2024. Austin Water’s multi-faceted conservation program coupled with a strong response by Austin residents has the utility on track to meet or exceed those goals. In 2018, total water use was 124 GPCD. In November 2018, Austin City Council adopted Water Forward, an integrated water resource plan that includes a suite of demand- and supply-side options to address Austin’s water needs over the next 100 years and ensure long-term water availability through a variety of climate conditions. The Water Forward plan includes a 2025 target of 6,970 AF of additional water savings from demand management strategies (including onsite reuse).

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Austin Water looks to both operational optimization and capital improvements to address energy efficiency at the facility, process, and system levels. Examples include: 1) evaluating energy usage and expanding the Building Automation System to additional building facilities to allow for centralized control of HVAC, lighting, and other electrical systems, and help with reducing peak energy demand, 2) initiating a secondary process improvement project one of its wastewater treatment plants, which is anticipated to reduce energy use once complete, 3) evaluating energy savings resulting from water conservation initiatives (which save over 8 billion gallons of water per year) & considering opportunities to extend incentive programs, and 4) enrolling in the DOE’s Sustainable Wastewater Infrastructure Accelerator 2.0.

Approximately one third of the biogas produced by the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant’s anaerobic digestion process is utilized in a Combined Heat & Power system. This largely offsets the plant’s energy use and reduces the amount of digester gas being flared. Austin Water has a study underway to determine best approaches for better utilizing the biogas and reducing flaring. Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The energy utility does not currently provide efficiency programs alongside the water utility, but BG&E does offer some water efficiency measures alongside its energy efficiency programs. Additionally, Blue Water Baltimore provides free water audits and rebates for rain barrels, green roofs, water heaters, and other conservation landscaping to all city residents. The Department of Public Works has also expanded their BaltiMeter project, which aims to replace water metering infrastructure and upgrade the meter reading system.

The Department of Public Works has not yet established a water efficiency goal and does not have any funded programs to help customers save water.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The Department of Public Works uses energy use data to address efficiency issues, but the city does not a specific strategy in place.

Baltimore’s Back River wastewater treatment facilities have a system to generate 3 MW of energy to be used on-site from methane recapture. DPW operates a 2MW combined heat and power plant which uses methane produced by the anaerobic digestion process.

Last Updated: September 2023

Last Updated: July 2021

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) and Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) fund water efficiency programs available to all water customers. While BWSC does not directly issue rebates and incentives under the MassSave program, Boston’s energy utilities—National Grid and Eversource Energy—do offer rebates and incentives for water saving technologies. Notably, Boston customers are offered no-cost water-efficiency kits that include kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators, low-flow replacement showerheads, water-efficiency gauges to test showerheads and sinks, and dye tablets to check for toilet leaks.

Although no community-wide water savings target have been adopted by the city or its utilities, the MWRA has a comprehensive, long-term strategy for water savings as described in their 2013 Water System Master Plan. This plan was updated in 2018.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Through the BWSC 2021-2023 Capital Improvement Program, BWSC has committed to maintaining and improving the water distribution and collection systems including an aggressive renewable and replacement program, reducing unaccounted water, encouraging conservation, and improving the environment. A few of their main projects outlined are the Water Main Replacement Program, Sewer and Drain Replacement Project, and the implement Stormwater/Green Infrastructure Program designed to improve water quality.

All of the wastewater that is collected by BWSC is conveyed to the MWRA Deer Island Treatment Plant in the Boston Harbor. This treatment plant uses methane, which is a byproduct of the treatment process, to power a steam turbine generator and this produces half of the electricity used at the facility. In addition to that, the steam produced also generates heat which is used throughout the facility. This plan also produces electricity through two wind turbines, solar arrays, and hydroelectric assets. In 2020, MRWA self-generated 35.4 million kWh from these resources.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

At this time, neither Southern Connecticut Gas nor United Illuminating Company offers joint energy and water efficiency programs with Aquarion Water Company, Bridgeport’s local water utility. At this point, the City of Bridgeport and its water utility have not established a water savings target or goal.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The wastewater utility has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies, but it does purchase new energy-efficient equipment when old equipment is at the end of its use cycle. For example, two blowers for the aeration system were recently replaced with one high-efficiency blower to save $250,000 per year in electricity.

The city’s water system currently does not self-generate its own energy, but the City is considering pursuing anaerobic digestion at one of its wastewater treatment plants.

Last Updated: September 2023

Water Efficiency

To increase community-wide water efficiency, Burlington City Council passed a resolution to waive all building, electrical, and zoning permit fees associated with the installation of thermal hot water equipment for one year.  Also, Burlington Electric provides low-flow faucets and shower heads for multi-family housing units. There is no established water efficiency target.

Energy Efficiency and Self-Generation

The City of Burlington has not yet established a target for energy efficiency through municipal water services operations. There are no programs or policies in place to increase energy efficiency through the Burlington water system.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

There are no policies, programs, funding, or incentive structures in place to encourage green infrastructure stormwater management in Burlington

Last Updated: October 2015

Water Efficiency

The Orange Water and Sewer Authority enacted a conservation policy to develop, fund, and implement cost-effective water conservation and demand management programs.  We could not confirm if the utility has established explicit water efficiency targets.

Energy Efficiency and Self-Generation

Though an energy-savings target has not been set, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority adopted a sustainability resolution in 2007 that included an objective to increase energy efficiency in operations; the authority also included a goal to develop an energy plan in their three-year strategic plan.  At their wastewater treatment plan, boilers use biogas captured from the treatment process. 

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

There is no funding in place to implement green stormwater infrastructure and we could not find information regarding locally enacted policies, rates, or incentives to encourage green infrastructure on private properties to manage stormwater.

Last Updated: April 2014

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Although the energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs, the city’s WaterSmart program encourages the efficient use of water for indoor and outdoor purposes and offers consumer low-flow plumbing devices, smart irrigation controls, and other products.

Charlotte Water is an active member of the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group, which released a River Basin Water Supply Master Plan in 2014. This plan includes an evaluation of numerous options to extend the available water supply in the region, as well as long-term basin-wide strategies to ensure sustainable and efficient water supplies for decades.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

CLTWater uses a multipronged approach to saving energy including evaluating energy consumption and upgrading lighting and other systems. Charlotte Water enacted Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP) that includes both short and long-term strategies to reduce energy use and climate impact.

The City of Charlotte operates a Combined Heat and Power facility at the McAlpine Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Although Chicago’s water and energy utilities do not run joint water and energy efficiency programs, Chicago’s city-run MeterSave program provides significant incentives to the community. Through the MeterSave program, the city’s Department of Water Management (DWM) supplies a free water meter to unmetered residents and business customers and guarantees bills will be lower than the estimated rate for 7 years post installation. The City of Chicago also offers rain barrels and indoor or outdoor conservation kits to homeowners. In addition, both energy utilities offer water efficiency measures in their energy efficiency programs. For example, the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program includes measures such as low flow aerators, low flow showerheads, pre-rinse spray valves, clothes washers, and dishwashers. Peoples Gas also provides showerheads, faucet aerators, and pre rinse sprayers free of charge to commercial and residential customers via gas utility-only direct install programs (DI), kits programs (low income, non low income, and small business kits programs) and weatherization programs, as well as through electric and gas utility jointly offered low income weatherization programs.

The City of Chicago has a goal to decrease water use by 2% annually, according to the Sustainable Chicago 2015 plan. The City of Chicago also has a program to aggressively replace old water mains, thus reducing water loss from leaking pipes. Through Building a New Chicago, DWM is replacing 900 miles of water main—most of which are over 100 years old—over a 10-year period. DWM has now installed more than 135,000 meters on homes since 2001. By City ordinance, commercial buildings are required to install their own during construction. The City has now replaced over 550 miles of water main under its current capital program and will meet its goal of replacing 900 miles by 2021.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Both the Department of Water Management (DWM) and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) have extensive programs to increase energy efficiency across operations and are pursuing energy efficiency initiatives. DWM is converting several steam-powered turbines and boilers at five pumping stations in the water distribution system to electricity, saving more than $6.4 million/year in energy costs, with additional savings from lower operating costs, and a greenhouse gas emission reduction of 75%. The conversion of the pumping stations from steam to electricity are part of the “Building a New Chicago” program. The Springfield Pumping Station was fully converted from steam to electricity in 2017. The energy efficient station has reduced its carbon footprint and will save an estimated $4M annually with improved reliability and efficiency. The Central Park Pumping Station began construction in Dec 2018 for a similar conversion. The department estimates an annual savings of $4.5M in energy and maintenance expenses.

MWRD has also implemented a sewer thermal heat and cooling system to save energy at its water reclamation plant, where methane is also collected for electricity generation. Moreover, the MWRD operates several anaerobic digesters, generating up to one-third of its energy from the digestion process. A new project will divert 440 tons a day of food waste from the city of Chicago’s solid waste stream, feed it into the digesters at the Calumet treatment plant in Chicago, generate 160% more methane gas, and sell some of this gas back into the natural gas pipeline.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The energy utilities do not provide water efficiency as part of their energy efficiency program offerings. The Greater Cincinnati Water Works has not yet established a water efficiency goal and does not have funded programs to help customers save water. The energy utilities do not provide water efficiency as part of their energy efficiency program offerings.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

MSD is working to reduce energy consumption by auditing and improving light fixtures and the heating and cooling systems at wastewater treatment plants. MSD also self generates energy at wastewater treatment plants by using dewatered sludge to fire two incinerators. Greater Cincinnati Waterworks recently refurbished their 175 KW hydro turbines. In addition, they have two solar arrays installed on their facilities. MSD is in the process of developing plans for a biodigester.

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Colorado Springs Utilities is both the electric and water utility for the City of Colorado Springs. The utility offers rebates for both water and energy efficiency products. In 2017, Colorado Springs Utilities completed an Integrated Water Resources Plan that recommended a balanced portfolio of water resources including Demand Management activities of 11,000-13,000 acre-ft per year. The city also has a water use efficiency plan that is updated formally every five to seven years.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The water utility has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy.

Last Updated: July 2021

Last Updated: July 2021

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. MidAmerican Energy did offer water-saving measures in its energy efficiency programs, such as low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. At this time, the City of Des Moines and its water and waste utilities have not established a water savings target or goal. However, the city does offer water-saving tips on its website.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Neither the water nor the wastewater utility has set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. Des Moines Water Works is part of the Better Buildings Initiative and became the first U.S. water treatment utility to certify a plant to the ISO 50001 standard and SEP program.

The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy but has completed a renewable gas project.

Last Updated: September 2023

Water Efficiency

Though Dubuque has not established a specific target for water efficiency, the city has a rain garden assistance program, which makes funding available for buying rain barrels and building rain gardens.

Energy Efficiency and Self-Generation

Although the city has not set a target for energy efficiency through municipal water supply operations, Dubuque is converting its wastewater treatment plant to incorporate anaerobic digestion. The project will use waste water effluent for geothermal heating and cooling, in addition to methane recapture.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

To maintain its stormwater management fund, Dubuque has established a stormwater management charge. Charges are computed on residential and nonresidential property based on the number of single family units or area of impervious property.  Also, the Green Alley pilot project reconstructed existing asphalt alleys with pervious pavement surfaces in order to minimize stormwater runoff.

Last Updated: October 2013

Last Updated: July 2021

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The City of Fort Worth does not have any joint water and energy efficiency programs in place. The city does have a SmartFlush program to replace residential toilets with high-efficiency toilets and has time-of-day watering restrictions.

Fort Worth’s water-saving goals are based on the recommendations of the Texas Water Conservation Implementation Task Force, which suggested a 1% reduction in gallons of water used per capita per day per year. In FY2018, average water use was 169 GPCD, slightly above the goal of 168 GPCD and higher than in previous years.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The Fort Worth Water Department participates in the city's energy conservation programs. In terms of energy efficiency, the Village Creek Water Reclamation Facility has been involved with Johnson Controls Inc., as part of an ESPC (Energy Savings Performance Contract), to increase on-site electrical generation to 50% and reduce energy consumption by 20%.

The Fort Worth Water Department participates in self-generation by producing 1500 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) of methane gas from anaerobic digesters.

Last Updated: July 2021

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. However, Consumers Energy does offer a number of rebates to residential customers that include water efficiency measures.

The water and wastewater utilities of Grand Rapids are operating under an ESCO to achieve greater efficiencies. The water utility also participates in Consumers Energy’s demand response program. The wastewater utility utilizes energy programs and rebates by the utility. Both the water and wastewater utilities also participate in the Consumers Energy Business Energy Efficiency Program (CEBEEP), which offers dedicated focus to the Municipal Water and Wastewater sector through the Industrial Energy Program (IEP). The wastewater utility utilizes energy programs and rebates by the utility. At this time, the City of Grand Rapids has not established a water savings target or goal.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The water filtration plant and wastewater treatment plant both have ESCO agreements for the reduction of energy in their operations. The water utility participates in Consumers Energy’s demand response program, while the wastewater utility utilizes energy programs and rebates by the utility. Both the water and wastewater utilities also participate in the Consumers Energy Business Energy Efficiency Program (CEBEEP), which offers dedicated focus to the Municipal Water and Wastewater sector through the Industrial Energy Program (IEP). The water treatment ESCO for the Lake Michigan Filtration Plant (LMFP) is projected to save 676,215 kWh a year and 223,787 cubic feet (CCF) a year with a savings of about $191,427. The wastewater department is a member of the DOE Better Buildings program and has a goal to 25% reduction in energy intensity.

The City of Grand Rapids installed biodigester project with Combined Heat and Power units that will offset 65% of the total electricity purchases from the utility company.  This unit is operational as of 2022.

Last Updated: September 2023.

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Although the local water and energy utilities do not offer joint efficiency programs in Hartford, Eversource and Connecticut Natural Gas’s Home Energy Solutions and Home Energy Solutions-Income Eligible programs will replace inefficient faucet aerators and showerheads. Energize CT is a portal for incentives and programs related to both energy and water efficiency measures. On Energize CT, there is an option to search for natural gas-powered water heaters and hot water-related rebates and incentives. In addition, the City of Hartford and MDC, the water utility, have collaborated to directly provide water conservation materials. In 2018, the City began its Retain the Rain program, and during the fall phase, MDC provided 200 upcycled rain barrels to support the initiative. In 2019, the City received a national grant to fund the next phase of Retain the Rain, a stormwater management program with free green materials for Hartford residents. As a part of the 2019 Retain the Rain program, the City has 700 rain barrels, 200 trees, and 80 composters available for the community, and trees. 200 rain barrels have been distributed thus far. The water utility has assisted in outreach efforts for this program. Although stormwater is a focus of the program, the main purpose of rain barrels is water conservation, capturing and storing water for later use. This program concluded in 2021.

Hartford Metropolitan District (MDC)’s strategic plan includes water conservation as a priority, with several strategies in place to reduce water consumption.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The MDC has not yet established an energy efficiency goal for water operations, but there have been a series of measures undertaken to improve the efficiency of its wastewater treatment facility. Through subsidies from an Energize CT program, the utility was able to complete energy efficiency upgrades as part of its “Bio Nutrient Removal” Phase II Project. A total cost savings for the project is anticipated to be $8.2 million from avoided consumption of 55 million kWh over the lifetime of the equipment.

There is a waste heat recapture system at the wastewater treatment facility. The MDC facility converts biosolids to energy which generates up to 40% of the facility’s energy.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Although the energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs, the utility program does have a partnership with Hawai’i County’s Board of Water Supply that includes providing funding for water leak detectors. Additionally, Hawai’i Energy manages the State’s Public Benefits Fund, and the Board of Water Supply (BWS) is in the process of executing an Energy Saving Performance Contract project.

The City and County of Honolulu Board of Water Supply has water conservation goals detailed in their 2016 Water Master Plan. This document includes a comprehensive program that looks ahead 30 years to evaluate the entire water system, quantify future demands and source options, identify necessary improvements, and balance needs and costs of providing water to residents and visitors. The City’s Board of Water Supply also has a goal of achieving an average of less than 145 GPCD (gallons per capita per day) by 2040. This goal was formed via a 2016 baseline of 155 GPCD based on current island-based regional trends and projection for future conservation.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The City’s Board of Water Supply is currently implementing a $33 million “efficiency plus” contract to reduce the City’s Board of Water Supply energy use by 12% or 8 million kWh and ~6k MT CO2e annually. These projects target the water authority and wastewater treatment improvements financed by $143 million in taxable green bonds.

The city has a pilot wastewater plant that generates approximately 800,000 therms of energy annually, enough to power 0.86% of O‘ahu households. In December 2018, Hawai‘i Gas became the first in the state to capture and process biogas from the City and County of Honolulu’s Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant on O‘ahu. Hawai‘i Gas was awarded the contract for capturing and processing biogas at Honouliuli from the City and County of Honolulu in August 2016 after a competitive bidding process.

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Citizens Energy Group (CEG) provides water and natural gas to Indianapolis residents, including energy and water savings educational information to customers. Citizens’ has a toilet replacement program and water leak repair program for low to moderate-income homeowners. Toilets are replaced with low flush (1.6 gpf) toilets. IPL offers multiple water savings measures through its programs, including faucet aerators, pre-rinse spray valves, and showerheads. Currently, Indianapolis does not have a specified water-saving goal but Thrive Indianapolis contains a long-term strategy for water savings.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

As of August 2011, the Citizens Energy Group assumed responsibility for Indianapolis’s water and wastewater utilities. Citizens Energy Group pledged to operate the utilities for community benefit and to create operating efficiencies that would lower costs. Combining the city’s water and wastewater systems with Citizens' natural gas, steam, and chilled water utilities will help to reduce future utility rate increases by 25% from the increases currently projected. During 2015, Citizens Energy Group implemented measures in their operating facilities to reduce energy consumption and enhance the efficiency of their operations. CEG also has a company-wide program to reduce energy use.

The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy.

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Although KC Water has funded water efficiency rebates in the past through WaterWorks, we could not confirm if the utility still funds programs to help customers save water. KC Water has established a non-revenue water (NRW) goal to reduce commercial and actual NRW, or water loss from leakage, metering inaccuracies, unseen line losses, and theft.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The Wastewater Treatment Division of Kansas City is currently working to reduce energy usage by 1% per year and assure all new equipment is as energy efficient as reasonably possible, within the context of the overall lifecycle cost of the asset, consistent with the Green and Sustainable Procurement Policy. However, there is no formal approach or dedicate funding source for comprehensive upgrades. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy.

Last Updated: July 2021

Last Updated: July 2021

Southwest Gas and NV Energy collaborate with the Southern Nevada Water District to offer energy and water conservation tips to local business and residential customers as well as provide separate electric efficiency, gas efficiency, and water efficiency programs. Water saving measures include tankless hot water and solar hot water rebates. Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) also offers smart irrigation clock coupons.

SNWA established a conservation goal of 105 GPCD (gallons per capita per day) by 2035. In order to meet this goal, the SNWA and Las Vegas Valley Water District use a four-pronged approach of tiered pricing, drought and water use restrictions, incentives for purchasing equipment like pool covers and green landscaping, and education and outreach. In addition, as a part of the City's 2050 Master Plan, the City will align with current and future SNWA goals with respect to water conservation and long-term water resources planning. Southern Nevada has reduced its water demand from about 314 gallons per person per day to about 127 GPCD, a 36% decrease since 2002. As part of the 2050 Master Plan, Las Vegas has aligned the current and future water conservation goals and long-term water resource planning with SNWA.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Las Vegas Valley Water District is pursuing energy efficiency initiatives in accordance with the city’s Sustainable Energy Strategy, but a specific energy efficiency goal for operations is not in place. The City's 2050 Master Plan sets a goal to reduce municipal energy consumption by 2% annually. Upgrades are funded through the city’s Sewer Enterprise Fund and Internal Service Fund as part of annual capital projects funding.

The City of Las Vegas Water Pollution Control Facility digesters use methane capture and have 3.3 MW of solar power generated on site. In addition, power transmitted to the wastewater plant is received from the Colorado River Commission which receives power from Hoover Dam’s Hydropower Systems. The City is in partnership with Southwest Gas to also introduce a natural gas program using feedstock (FOG) injected into the City's WPC.

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

LADWP’s Efficiency Solutions division administers both energy and water efficiency programs, such as the Home Energy Improvement Program (HEIP). HEIP provides water conserving toilets, low-flow aerators for bathrooms and kitchens, and low-flow showerheads, as well as incentives for clothes washers and irrigation systems. . The LADWP Landscape Incentive Program pays customers to replace turf grass with drought-tolerant plants or mulch and stormwater capture components.

The Sustainable City pLAn calls for 22.5% reduction of per capita consumption of water by 2025, and a 25% reduction of per capita consumption of water by 2035 below baseline year 2014. The recent update to the plan preserves this goal. LADWP offers a number of free water conservation devices such as showerheads and aerators. Also, the LADWP Landscape Incentive Program pays customers to replace turf grass with drought-tolerant plants or mulch and stormwater capture components. LADWP has also completed a water conservation potential study to outline a pathway to meeting these water conservation goals. The City of LA has also set goals in the pLAn to achieve a 50% cut in the amount of imported water purchased by the Department of Water and Power by 2025 and source 50% of the City's water locally by 2035 (based on a 2014 baseline).

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The city has a goal to improve energy efficiency at drinking water treatment and distribution facilities, although no specific targets are available. However, the Bureau of Sanitation has an energy group at the Hyperion Wastewater Treatment plant that focuses on tracking power use and implementing energy saving measures. In 2013, the LADWP Commission adopted an aggressive policy requiring the utility to achieve 15% energy savings through energy efficiency by 2020 below baseline year 2010. The 2019 Sustainable pLAn update includes further energy reduction goals for all building types: 22% by 2025; 34% by 2035; and 44% by 2050.

The Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation operates four treatment and water reclamation plants, two of which generate electricity from captured biogas. In addition, the Digester Gas Utilization Project (DGUP) is a cogeneration project that uses Hyperion's digester gas as a renewable energy source to generate electricity and steam for use on site in plant operations. It has been awarded an Envision Platinum award.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Madison Water Utility offers a rebate for toilets. MGE supports energy efficiency projects with the Madison Water Utility and promotes Focus on Energy incentives. Madison has met its goals outlined in the conservation plan and is in the process of developing new water savings targets.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Neither the water utility nor the wastewater utility has set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. Madison Water Utility, however, has undertaken several measures to decrease energy use at its plants. Madison Water Utility (MWU) pumping accounts for approximately 20% of the city’s electrical consumption. As part of a previous report, a list of water distribution strategies was developed. The list of water distribution optimization strategies included system optimization and controls, infrastructure upgrades, and an end-user reduction program. Water distribution system optimization includes measures that reduce electrical consumption by coordinating zones, optimizing system pressures, and improving cross-over operations. These efficiencies would be achieved through enhancing the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) platform, programming updates, and related control system hardware and sensors.

Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District uses anaerobic digestion to produce biogas that is used in CHP systems and boilers to help offset power and heat demands for operations.

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

While the MLGW programs focus on energy efficiency, water efficiency is included in My Account analytics and self-audits, low-income repairs, and customer communications to help preserve and protect the aquifer system. The Energy Education webpage includes information on both energy and water efficiency.

The City of Memphis does not have a water efficiency goal.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The city does not have a comprehensive energy management strategy in place for its water and wastewater utilities. 

Both of the city’s wastewater treatment facilities supply biogas to the water utility for use on-site.

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The City of Miami has an online water efficiency pledge, which includes energy efficiency measures, and they also offer high-efficiency rebates for water fixtures. The City also offers landscape irrigation evaluations with rebates for installing recommendations. In 2006, the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners adopted the Miami-Dade Water-Use Efficiency Plan through city resolution, with a goal of reducing water consumption by 1.5 million gallons per day by 2015 from a 2007 baseline. As a part of the implementation, the plan administered a variety of customer programs including rebates and free water-saving measures including showerheads, toilets, and landscape irrigation. The goal of the plan was exceeded in 2015. The City has not yet updated its water savings target since achieving its previous goal.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

At this point, the City of Miami has not established a goal or program for energy efficiency through the municipal water service operation system. However, the city follows the Miami-Dade County goal of reducing water consumption per person by 30% by 2030.

The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy.

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

While the City of Minneapolis does not run a program with deep water savings measures and energy savings measures, CenterPoint Energy offers water efficiency measures, including low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, as part of its Home Energy Squad direct installs and DIY program, and Xcel offers several efficiency measures that also save water, such as efficient showerheads, faucet aerators, ENERGY STAR clothes washers, and efficient commercial dishwashers. The City is currently subsidizing Home Energy Squad visits (free for Green Zone residents) and 0% financing on weatherization improvements (for all Minneapolis residents). The free Home Energy Squad visits include free direct installation of low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.

The City’s Waterworks is focusing their water efficiency efforts on non-revenue water at a system level using the American Water Works Association’s Water Audit Software and methodology. Their goal is reducing the unaccounted-for water portion of the non-revenue water to 10% or less. WTDS recently completed a leak detection study of most of the water distribution system that searched for and identified leaks. In addition, the City’s residential meters are at the end of their useful life and are due for replacement. As a result, new meters will be installed over the next five years. Both of these efforts lead to either identifying or reducing non-revenue water.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Minneapolis’s Water Works (a city water park) is included in the 1.5% annual goal to reduce energy use in city facilities. Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (Metro) came very close to meeting its 2015 energy goal of reducing energy purchases by 25% from 2006 levels. After reaching 23% reductions, a new goal was set to further reduce energy purchases by 10% between 2015 and 2020. Specific strategies to meet the goals include optimizing aeration processes, installing the Blue Lake wastewater treatment plant digester, installing the non-condensing steam turbine at the Metro wastewater treatment plant, and replacing the return- and waste-activated sludge pump drives at Metro.

The Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant currently uses incinerators to burn the biosolids removed from the treated water to create energy for the operations of the plant. At the Blue Lake wastewater treatment plant, methane biogas recovered from the digester facility replaces 9 million BTU/hour of natural gas that powers the solids facility.

Last Updated: August 2023 

City-wide water efficiency and goals

Metro Water Services has not established any water efficiency programs, policies, or goals. The City of Nashville does have a water loss strategy, which involves replacing old water mains, reducing leakage rates, quickly repairing leaks, and running a MeterSense Meter Data Management System that evaluates water losses.

Water plant efficiency and self-generation

The City of Nashville has established an energy management strategy aimed at increasing energy efficiency throughout the city’s water service operation system. This strategy is focused at analyzing and optimizing energy usage in treatment plants and in watershed management operations. Metro Water Service has upcoming energy reduction projects designed and ready for construction. These projects include solar panel installation at three of the plants, switching to fine bubble aeration at the Whites Creek wastewater treatment plant, designing and pursuing LEED certification on all new buildings, and utilizing digester gas from the Dry Creek wastewater treatment plant in a CHP system.

Nashville’s wastewater treatment plant uses biogas captured from the treatment process to generate electricity onsite. Metro Water Services utilizes approximately 75% of its digester gas onsite to assist in biosolids production at the large Central Wastewater Treatment Plant. The digester gas is used to power the dryers and boilers instead of purchasing natural gas. By refining the use of the digester gas, Metro Water Services saves nearly $1,000,000 by not purchasing natural gas.

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Currently, the energy and water utilities do not partner to provide joint energy and water efficiency programs. The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans does not have a water efficiency goal in place, but it is in the process of upgrading many of its leakiest pipes to address system water loss.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans has not yet established an energy efficiency goal for water operations. There are not currently any programs in place for energy efficiency in water operations. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy.

Last Updated: September 2023

Last Updated: July 2021

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) provides water saving solutions and rebate programs for residential and commercial buildings that include both water and energy efficiency measures.

The City has set a goal of reducing potable water consumption per capita by 20%, which has been reduced from 92 gal/day in 2012 to 83 gal/day in 2017. The City has also developed a Water Resource Strategy to address water conservation concerns.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

In 2015, the Orlando Utility Commission set a Clean Energy Strategy goal of 20% of retail sales from renewables and energy efficiency by 2020. This target will require significant investment in both landfill gas and solar generation. The wastewater division is an enterprise fund, which requires it to make strategic investments to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Three of OUC’s generators at their Energy Recovery System are dedicated for co-generation and heat recovery. They are started, regulated, and stopped based on methane gas availability in the gas holding digester.

Last Updated: August 2023

Water Efficiency

The Park City Water Department has set a goal to reduce its per capita water consumption by 25% by 2050 from a 2000 baseline. In order to meet this goal, the water utility offers its customers Free Water Checks - water usage tests for a home's or business's irrigation system. Rebates are also available for smart controllers and efficient irrigation systems. In 2014, the Park City Water Department launched WaterSmart, providing individualized feedback to users on their water consumption and has seen a 5% decrease in water consumption to date. 

Energy Efficiency and Self-Generation

Park City's Water department has not yet established a target for energy efficiency through municipal water services operations. However, the department has integrated a number of efficiency measures into the system and explores energy impacts (and potential efficiency upgrades) as part of project construction planning.  The department also intends on integrating micro-hydro turbines into the system for electricity generation in 2014, though there are not self-generation facilities incorporated into the Park City wastewater treatment facilities just yet.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

The City has instituted a Storm Water Quality Credit Program to raise funds through storm sewer fees for non-residential properties that use Landscaping, Water quality, underground detention measures. Discounted rates are subject to approval by City Engineer and are based on reduction in peak discharge and volume of stormwater discharged to city facilities and water quality loading reductions. Park City does not currently offer public funding for green stormwater infrastructure on public property.

Last Updated: October 2015

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Currently, the energy and water utilities do not offer joint efficiency programs to residential or commercial customers. The City of Phoenix is a major contributor to the Water Use It Wisely campaign, an educational campaign aimed at increasing water efficiency across Phoenix. As a result, water use per capita has dropped 34% since 1996 and 6% in the last two years. The city also retrofits 200-250 income-qualified homes with high-efficiency fixtures and toilets. Phoenix partners with Salt River Project on a water conservation program that encourages residents to reduce water and energy use in landscaping.

Currently, the energy and water utilities do not offer joint efficiency programs to residential or commercial customers. The City has set nonrevenue water-saving goals at their water department, which are aimed at keeping annual water losses below 10%. The wastewater utility has undertaken significant energy upgrade projects such as variable speed pumps funded through water revenues. The business plan has set goals related to energy efficiency.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The Water Services Department (WSD) partners with local electric service providers to implement energy conservation measures at its facilities. To date, energy conservation measures from these programs have saved 5.8 million kWh annually. The WSD has joined the Department of Energy’s Better Plans Program, setting a goal to reduce energy intensity (kWh/million gallons) by 25% over a 10-year period, baseline year 2015. It is also participating in the DOE’s Wastewater Infrastructure Accelerator through the Better Buildings Program. The city-owned water utility also falls under the city-wide goal to reduce energy use by 20% by 2020 from 2009 levels despite a growing population and water services. The department goal is to operate at the highest level of efficiency and cost effectiveness and has upgraded many of the facilities and pumping stations.

Digester gas is used at the 91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Facility, in boilers to maintain digester temperatures, offsetting its thermal load by 68,000 MMBtu per year. Additionally, a large Energy Services Company (ESCO) is under contract to build and operate a facility recovery and clean-up digester gas that is currently being flared. In 2018, the City invested in a $25M gas capture and treatment plant that receives wastewater from 5 nearby cities that converts methane captured from wastewater to green gas and inserts it into the natural gas pipeline—generating $6M annually in gross revenue through a partnership with Ameresco. The facility will provide an annual energy offset of approximately 693,500 dekatherms annual renewable natural gas, reducing carbon emissions by nearly 45,000 tons/year, which is the equivalent of taking over 70,000 cars off the road or planting over 87,000 acres of trees every year. In addition to treating 100% of the wastewater for the region, and capturing all the waste methane and converting it to green gas, the City also extracts the sludge and puts it on non-food crop farmland as a fertilizer replacement. Phoenix is the only City in the nation that utilizes all three wastewater streams for beneficial use.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency measures. Energy Trust does offer a variety of reduced-flow energy-efficiency measures such as showerheads and faucet aerators, as well as irrigation measures and industrial projects that reduce water consumption. The Portland Water Bureau offers free water efficiency kits to residential customers as well as toilet and irrigation rebates and incentives. The Bureau offers many programs for commercial customers including the multifamily toilet replacement program, Business Industry and Government (BIG) technical assistance program.

The Water Bureau of Portland has not established a specific goal for water savings.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The City's Environmental Services Wastewater Group has set a target of 1% annual reduction in energy use compared with FY2013-14. To identify and implement energy efficiency projects, the Wastewater Group is actively involved in the Energy Trust of Oregon's Industrial Energy Initiative, which provides technical assistance and financial incentives to promote efficiency projects at the wastewater treatment plant.

The City of Portland’s Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant captures methane to generate heat and power in a 1.7 MW cogeneration system. In FY 2015-16, the combined heat and power (CHP) system generated 10.6 million kWh of electricity and 3.9 MMtherms of natural gas. The treatment plant also began to capture the remaining biogas for use as renewable transportation fuel beginning in 2019.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs.

At this point, the City of Reno has not established a water savings target or goal. However, TMWA does have a water conservation plan.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The water utility has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy.

Last Updated:  September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Riverside Public Utilities serves both electricity and water to its customers, and it administers both water and energy efficiency programs. The city offers rebates for water-efficient appliances, drought tolerant landscaping and free sprinkler nozzles for both residential and commercial customers. The RPU coordinates with regional agencies, both SoCal Gas and the Metropolitan Water District as well, to offer water conservation and energy efficiency measures. SoCal Gas partners with Riverside in the delivery of the Energy Savings Assistance Program that serves income-qualified residents of Riverside. In addition, the RPU partners with Metropolitan Water District and Western Municipal Water Districts offer rebates for high-efficiency clothes washers, premium high-efficiency toilets, weather-based irrigation controllers, turf replacement, rotating sprinkler nozzles, rain barrels and cisterns, soil moisture sensor systems, water flow monitoring devices, soaker hose incentives, and hose bib irrigation controllers.

In 2008, the city approved the Riverside Recycle Water Project, which will use highly treated wastewater rather than high-quality potable water to serve the agricultural and irrigation needs throughout the city.

In Spring 2023, the wastewater division will undergo two major projects to save energy and reduce costs. The first is shutting down the Activated Plant and treating all wastewater in the MBR plant. This will reduce electricity use by shutting of redundant systems and streamline operations. The second project is the reduced Chlorine Contact Time (CCT) project which will reduce energy and chemical use. The CCT project is scheduled for completion in Fall 2023.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

While the City of Riverside has not established a goal for energy efficiency across municipal water service operations, RPU has worked to replace or rehabilitate inefficient pumps and motors during upgrades.

The wastewater division of the Riverside Public Works department self-generates electricity by capturing methane generated from the wastewater treatment plant's anaerobic digesters. Methane is currently begin utilized at the City's wastewater treatment facility to fuel a 1.4 MW fuel cell and two 9.9 MMBtu per hour boilers. Waste heat from the fuel cell is captured in an onsite heat loop which is used to process heat for the anaerobic digesters. The wastewater division is also undergoing a project to upgrade digester gas (biogas) to pipeline quality renewable natural gas (RNG), upgrade the Digestate Management Facility and rehabilitate digester.

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Sacramento provides rebates for water-efficient sprinkler systems, toilets, and clothes washers, and employs Water Wise conservation specialists to identify home and business water savings opportunities. Additionally, the Department of Utilities (DOU) is in the process of upgrading the city’s meters to smart water meters. The DOU offers no-cost water leak assistance repair services and installation of water efficient fixtures to low-income homeowners through the Leak Free Sacramento Program. PG&E also offers rebates for high-efficiency commercial dishwashers.

PG&E’s low-income ESA program had a collaborative relationship with California American Water and Sacramento in 2021 that covered the Sacramento area. Program Services included evaluating toilets for leaks, assessing and replacing eligible toilets, conducting outdoor assessments, performing meter checks, isolating leaks, water conservation education, and delivering water conservation items such as hose nozzles, shower timers and water agency program literature.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The City of Sacramento is committed to having all its operations be carbon-neutral by 2045. Given that water and wastewater are part of municipal operations, the energy for these processes will be carbon-neutral. DOU also participates in the SolarShares program which helps create more offsite solar. DOU has internal dashboards to help them track energy efficiency of their facilities and equipment. Sacramento is also a founder member of the Water-Energy Nexus Registry which was recently launched by the California Environmental Protection Agency and The Climate Registry. The registry helps water agencies and utilities better understand the energy and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the water management and treatment processes.

SRCSD, in partnership with Carson Energy, operates an on-site cogeneration plant at the Sacramento regional wastewater treatment plant in Elk Grove. The cogeneration plant is partly fueled by the biogas produced by the treatment plant’s digesters. The Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant harnesses methane from its treatment process.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The City of San Diego’s Department of Water Utilities offers water use calculators for household and landscape use. There are also rebate programs available for micro irrigation, turf removal, and rain barrels. The City of San Diego is also a member of the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), which has been partnering with SDG&E for more than twenty years on administering water efficiency programs, such as low-flow showerheads, small business water efficiency equipment, leak loss detection, and education and outreach.

The City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan has several water savings targets and long-term strategies to reach those targets. One target is to reduce daily per capita water consumption by 4 gallons by 2020 and 9 gallons by 2035 below 2010 levels. The core strategy is to implement an Outdoor Landscaping Ordinance that requires use of weather-based irrigation controllers. Supporting strategies to meet these targets are to record the annual volume percentage of recycled water used and planned to be introduced through 2035 and pursue additional financial resources and incentives for implementing energy and water efficiency measures identified by the conservation and ordinances, and to promote the expansion of greywater systems.

The City is also launching Pure Water San Diego, a phased, multi-year program that will provide one-third of San Diego's water supply locally by 2035. The Pure Water Program will use proven water purification technology to clean recycled water to produce safe, high-quality drinking water. The program offers a cost-effective investment for San Diego's water needs and will provide a reliable, sustainable water supply.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan encompasses both local water and wastewater utilities’ operations and include targets to reduce energy consumption at municipal facilities by 15% by 2020 and an additional 25% by 2035 below 2010 levels. Strategies to reach these targets include implementing a Smart Energy Management & Monitoring System for facilities to monitor and track energy consumption and using those results to identify opportunities for great efficiency and demand response along with pursuing LEED for Existing Buildings: Operation and Maintenance Certification for municipal facilities.

Since 2000, the Public Utilities Department has maintained a California Energy Commission-trained Energy Audit Team. Nearly all of the Department's major facilities have energy audit reports. The Department has invested an average of $400,000 per year in energy efficiency projects which have upgraded almost all of its emergency generators, department-owned administration buildings, as well as many of its largest pump stations and wastewater treatment plants. Projects have included lighting re-lamping and control, air conditioning system improvements, and process improvements.

The City of San Diego Public Utilities Department’s Wastewater Branch has multiple self-generating facilities and projects. The City also aims to capture 98% of wastewater treatment gases by 2035. At the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant (PLWWTP), methane gas is captured to fuel two generators for a total capacity of 4.57 MW. The system also produces heat which is used to heat the plant’s digesters. The excess captured digester gas is sold to a private company that cleans the gas to utility standards, injects it into the utility company’s natural gas pipeline, and is used for resale by the privatizer. Methane capture is also utilized at the Metro Biosolids Center (MBC) and at MBC's privatized total cogeneration capacity of 9.6 MW. At the Metro Operation Complex, Department has two solar systems for a total capacity of 0.430MW. The Department’s Water Branch has multiple solar generation facilities. The Alvarado Water Treatment Plant has a 0.95MW privatized solar system. The Otay Water Treatment Plant has a 0.80MW privatized solar system, and the Bayview Reservoir has a City-owned 0.160MW solar system. A 1MW Solar System was recently installed on Clearwell #2 at the Miramar Water Treatment Plant.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The San José Municipal Water System offers free water fixtures for its San Jose customers, including showerheads and kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators, and has also started to partner with PG&E to increase conservation efforts. PG&E also offers rebates for high-efficiency commercial dishwashers.

San José Municipal Water System (Muni Water) continues to implement water efficiency practices and new technologies that meet and exceed its water savings goals for multiple agencies and programs. For example, Muni Water has already met and exceeded its California SB-X7-7 2020 goal of 145 gallons per capita per day (GPCD) by reaching 126 GPCD in 2015. This is monitored and tracked through each retailer's Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP). Muni Water is also actively working towards reaching California’s recently passed AB-1668 bill calling for an indoor residential water usage of 50 GPCD in 2030. Muni Water is working towards that goal in conjunction with Climate Smart San José, which sets the residential GPCD target to 42 GPCD by 2030. Water-efficient practices continue to remain in place and new technologies are being implemented to continue the reduction of water use to meet these goals.

San José Municipal Water System continues to implement its enhanced water conservation outreach efforts. San Jose’s General Plan also outlines specific water savings targets, which include reducing citywide per capita water consumption by 25% by 2040 below 2010 levels and achieving 50 million gallons per day of water conservation savings in San Jose, by reducing water use and increasing water-use efficiency by 2040.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Although there is not an energy efficiency goal established for municipal water service operations, the wastewater utility has implemented a number of energy efficiency measures, including installing more efficient fine bubble diffusers in its aeration tanks, as well as practicing pulsed, or episodic aeration, both of which significantly reduce energy demands for the aeration process. The wastewater utility has also installed LED streetlights throughout its 170-acre campus, and it continues to evaluate additional energy conservation measures. In addition, the wastewater utility is undergoing a $1.4 billion, 10-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to rehabilitate and upgrade the entire treatment process for greater energy efficiency and reliability. The CIP has plans to invest in energy efficiency projects including $36.4 million aeration tanks rehabilitation and blower improvement projects which will reduce up to 40% of kWh and $1 million annually in secondary treatment once these projects are completed. San José Municipal Water System also aims to purchase 100% carbon-free power by the end of 2021 and install solar systems by 2025.

In 2022, the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF) generated about 78% of its power needs in-house through the capture and use of digester gas and the combustion of natural gas. In addition, the wastewater facility captures waste heat from the engines to keep digesters warm for the optimal operation of the digestion process, adding to overall energy efficiency.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

To help customers reduce water use, the Saving Water Partnership (SWP)—which is made up of Seattle and its 18 water utility partners—offers water-saving rebates, community and youth education, cost-sharing with customers who retrofit old water-using equipment with new equipment that is more efficient than required by national and state codes, as well as educational campaigns for efficient water use in the landscape. Seattle City Light collaborates with Seattle Public Utilities on joint energy and water efficiency programs, often focusing on water heating.

The SWP has a ten-year regional water use efficiency goal to keep the total average annual retail water use of SWP members under 110 million gallons per day from 2019 through 2028.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The Wastewater Treatment utility, operated by King County, has an energy conservation goal of 2% per year from a 2007 baseline. Additionally, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is implementing its Sustainability Energy Management Plan. As part of this effort, SPU has recently engaged in an ongoing energy efficiency audit of facilities it operates, including pump stations and water treatment plants, to identify and implement energy efficiency improvements.. Several of the water treatment plants generate energy on site from digester gas, and the West Point treatment plant has a combined heat and power system over its anaerobic digester which additionally produces 23,000 MWh annually. In addition to the wastewater treatment plants, SPU has also installed a 167kw solar array on its North Transfer Station to help reduce its energy consumption. More recently, as part of its Sustainable Energy Management plan, SPU is expanding its renewable energy capacity by exploring the potential for new solar and in-line hydropower throughout its infrastructure.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this point, the City of St. Petersburg has not established a water savings target or goal. However, it does offer some suggestions for conserving water and offers a water-saving program.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

St. Petersburg Water Resources Department has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. However, it is part of the Better Buildings Initiative. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy.

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this time, the City of Syracuse has not established a water savings target or goal.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The water utility has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy.

Last Updated: July 2021

Last Updated: July 2021

Last Updated: August 2021

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

DCSEU offers programs that include incentives for water saving measures like water heaters, thermostatically initiated shower restriction valves, and efficient clothes washers. The District of Columbia offers water efficiency programs separately from the energy utilities. The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) developed the award-winning High Usage Notification Application (HUNA) as a free service to proactively notify customers of high-water use - including unknown household leaks, sprinklers accidentally left running, or ruptured washing machine hoses.

Sustainable DC 2.0 established a goal to decrease potable water consumption by 20% from a 2012 baseline by the end of 2032. The 2021 Sustainable DC progress report shows a 19.4% reduction in per catia water consumption.  Supporting actions include updating the District’s building codes to increase water-efficiency standards and allow the use of alternative water systems, developing incentives for water-efficiency measure in landscaping and buildings, and piloting water efficiency projects in District Government buildings to lead by example. DC Water is committed to protecting and preserving the national and local water supply through encouraging water-efficient practices, products, and services. By partnering with the EPA’s WaterSense program, DC Water will offer consumers useful water-saving techniques and encourage them to look for WaterSense labeled products, when making product choices. These products use about 20% less water and perform as well as, or better than, conventional models. Supporting actions include updating the District’s building codes to increase water-efficiency standards and allow the use of alternative water systems, developing incentives for water-efficiency measure in landscaping and buildings, and piloting water efficiency projects in District Government buildings to lead by example. Progress toward the Sustainable DC 2.0 goal is included in the annual progress report.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

DC Water has pursued several projects to reduce energy used for wastewater treatment. It has systematically retrofitted diffuser equipment at the Blue Plains treatment to significantly reduce energy consumed through the treatment process. It has also been improving tidal gates on an ongoing basis to reduce infiltration and water treatment volume. DC Water operates an anaerobic digester to generate electricity and steam from solid waste. The energy facility at the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant uses the solids left over at the end of the wastewater treatment process to create electricity and steam. The project reduces the energy needs of the massive plant by about a third. DC Water expects to expand the capacity and efficiency of the system to meet even more of its energy load in the near future. The Bioenergy facility opened in 2015. It uses thermal hydrolysis to maximize anaerobic digestion.  DC Water also operates a wastewater-sourced thermal energy system at its headquarters In FY22, renewable energy provided 43 percent of DC Water's total energy use. This was made possible, in part, by the Phase 1 Solar Program at Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Last Updated: August 2023

Last Updated: July 2021