State and Local Policy Database

Water Services

The actions of water utilities play an important role in the efficiency of a community. Considerable energy savings can be gained from improvements made to pumps and motors, and a significant, often uncaptured, opportunity exists for energy generation in processing wastewater. Beyond efforts to directly conserve energy, energy demand can also be reduced through investments aimed at reducing water demand.

This sub-category includes information on four topics: energy and water efficiency programs jointly offered by the energy and water utilities to address energy and water efficiency, or single programs that address both water and energy; community-wide water savings targets and progress towards these goals; energy efficiency target, comprehensive energy efficiency strategy or energy efficiency initiatives in place at water and/or wastewater utility; waste energy capture at wastewater facilities (self-generation through methane capture or other means of on-site use of captured energy resources).

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this point, the City of Akron Utilities Business Office has not established a water savings target or goal. The city does offer water saving tips on its website, however. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

The water utility has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies for their drinking and wastewater facilities. Akron began generating electricity from anaerobic digestion at its Water Reclamation Facility in 2013.  

Last Updated: July 2021

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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. However, PPL Electric does include water measures in its energy efficiency programs, such as faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, and thermostatic shower restriction valves. At this point, the City of Allentown and its water utility have 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 does operate a CHP at its Kline's Island wastewater treatment plant. 

Last Updated: July 2021

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

Although the energy and water utilities do not offer joint efficiency programs, Georgia Power Company does offer water-saving fixtures and controllers on the marketplace. The Department of Watershed Management also offers water efficiency programs, such as the water saver kits available to water customers. Each kit contains a showerhead, faucet aerator, and toilet-leak-detection tablets. The City of Atlanta offers rebates for high-efficiency toilets for residential and multifamily units. Through an innovative program called Care and Conserve, the City offers water bill payment assistance, plumbing repair assistance, and water conservation counseling to approximately 500 low-income households annually. The City has also launched a Water Efficient Restaurant Certificate Program to help restaurants become more water efficient through audits and by providing them with free faucet aerators.

The City has also adopted a goal of achieving a 20% reduction in per capita citywide water consumption below its 2009 levels by 2020. In 2017, it achieved a 10% reduction per capita.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

To meet its Better Buildings Challenge commitments, DWM made energy efficient improvements to 28 facilities, including drinking water plants, wastewater treatment plants, and pump stations. The agency also developed a model for measuring water efficiency. DWM recently entered a 15-year partnership with NORESCO to implement upgrades designed to save 1.7 billion gallons of water a year. This work is largely funded by $107 million worth of savings from improved energy performance.  The Department’s current capital improvement program (CIP) includes several projects that will result in significant offsets to the 191,000 MWh consumed annually across all of its facilities. Two large-scale energy-saving performance contracts with Schneider Electric and NORESCO, planned for completion in 2019 and 2021, are expected to deliver energy savings in excess of 10,000 MWh annually through various energy conservation measures at multiple DWM water and wastewater treatment facilities. Many other projects in the Department’s CIP include energy savings components as well. With all the investments in its current CIP, it is estimated DWM may realize up to 55,000 MWh in annual energy savings by 2023, a sizable step towards its clean energy goal for 2025.

The RM Clayton wastewater treatment facility’s combined heat and power system converts waste biogas into energy, which is used on-site.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this point, the Augusta Utilities Department has not established a water savings target or goal, but it does offer water-saving tips on its website. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

The water utility has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies, nor does the city’s water system self-generate its own energy. 

Last Updated: July 2021  

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

In 2019, Aurora Water entered a partnership with Xcel Energy to provide financial incentives for energy efficient and low water use commercial laundry machines. Xcel Energy also offers low-flow showerheads, aerators, clothes washers, dish washers, and spray valves to customers of Aurora Water. Aurora Water strives to achieve a 10% reduction in GPCD by 2040.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Aurora Water has studied energy efficiency measures for many years. In 2011, a formal Energy Master Plan study was commissioned to identify cost-effective energy saving measures for AW’s facilities. Among the desired outcomes of the study was to establish a baseline carbon footprint and a methodology for long term measurement and tracking and to evaluate the potential for renewable energy and energy recovery. The Energy Master Plan study identified multiple programs and projects that have been implemented over a multiyear timespan. These projects include increased pump motor efficiency and replacement with more efficient parts, pump automation, major lighting upgrades, and creation of a power monitoring dashboard across all systems city-wide, along with facility-specific upgrades and installations.

Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, which treats Aurora's sewage, uses methane gas from the solid digestion processed as fuel to make enough electricity to power almost 5,000 homes.

Last Updated: September 2023

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

SoCalGas offers water efficiency measures that also save natural gas energy through numerous programs serving the residential, commercial, and public sectors, which are available to customers in the City of Bakersfield. PG&E does not partner with the City but does offer water-efficiency measures in several of its Residential and Industrial/Agriculture EE programs. PG&E also offers rebates for high-efficiency commercial dishwashers. At this point, the City of Bakersfield has not established a water savings target or goal, but it does have several strategies it follows to conserve water.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

California Water Service Company, which serves other cities beyond Bakersfield, has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies, but it has implemented several energy reduction strategies for the water plants serving Bakersfield. We could not determine if the city’s water system self-generates its own energy.

Last Updated: July 2021

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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. Entergy Louisiana does offer faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads in its residential programs, however. At this point, the City of Baton Rouge and its water utilities have not established a water savings target or goal. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

To our knowledge, neither the water nor the wastewater utility has set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies, and the city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy. 

Last Updated: July 2021  

City-wide water efficiency and goals 

Although the water and energy utilities do not provide water efficiency programs, Birmingham Water Works does provide this list of helpful tips for saving water at home. Currently, Birmingham Water Works does not have a specified goal for water efficiency. 

Water plant efficiency and self-generation 

The City of Birmingham has not yet established a goal or comprehensive strategy for energy efficiency in its municipal water service operations. We could not confirm if any of the city’s Wastewater Treatment Facilities self-generate energy that is used on site. 

Last Updated: July 2021

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. Idaho Power does offer energy saving kits that incorporate water efficient items, and Suez North American offers free water-conserving devices (available during the irrigation season), such as rain sensors, hose timers and hose nozzles. While neither the city nor the water utilities have established a water savings target or goal, the City of Boise is in the process of developing initial water conservation planning efforts for city parks and facilities.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The water utilities have not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies, but the city is working to develop and implement community clean energy and energy efficiency goals. The wastewater utility also participated in Idaho Power’s Wastewater Energy Efficiency Cohort to achieve energy use reductions, resulting in an initial 14% electricity use reduction at the city’s Lander Street facility. Regarding self-generation, Boise’s Energy Future plan states the intention to work with Intermountain Gas to capture and use methane at the city’s water renewal facilities. The City also captures methane produced from the water renewal (wastewater) treatment process and uses the captured methane for heating digesters, water, and building.

Last Updated: September 2023

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

Water Efficiency

Boulder has set a goal to reduce water use by 20% from 2000 levels by 2035. Boulder Water Utilities offers a Water Conservation Program including a Toilet "Freebate," rebates for drip kits and timers, xeriscaping garden seminars, low-cost xeriscaping plants called "Garden-in-a-box”, free outdoor irrigation audits and free commercial water assessments. The Water Conservation Program also supports municipal water conservation efforts and analyzes city water loss information.

Energy Efficiency and Self-Generation

Boulder has set an energy efficiency goal for water services in municipal operations in the energy performance contract. Since 2000, Boulder has reduced energy use in municipal water operations by 25%. There are methane recapture facilities on Boulder’s wastewater treatment plants.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Boulder has implemented a stormwater charge/flood management fee for all multifamily housing to fund the city’s flood and stormwater utility fund.   Stormwater efforts include a requirement for education and outreach and public involvement in addition to inspection/enforcement.  The Keep It Clean Partnership effort which focus on stormwater outreach and education as managed by the city. 

Last Updated: October 2015

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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

At this time, neither National Grid NY nor National Fuel Gas partners with the Buffalo Water Department to offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this point, the City of Buffalo has not established a water savings target or goal. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

The Water Board had an energy audit preformed and is near completion in its Energy Performance Construction Contract, which implemented many recommendations including new pumps, HVAC, and lighting upgrades or replacements. 

The Buffalo Sewer Authority, a public benefit corporation of the City of Buffalo that serves more than 550,000 residents over a collection system area of 110 square miles, produces energy through its water treatment processes. Methane gas generated during the digestion process is captured for use in the boilers and incinerators to reduce the reliance on natural gas. More information is available online. Buffalo Sewer Authority released an RFQ in December 2018 to explore engineering options for harnessing capacity of digestion infrastructure to increase energy generation while reducing landfill waste streams in the region. 

Last Updated: July 2021

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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this point, the City of Cape Coral and its water utility have not established a water savings target or goal. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

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

Last Updated: July 2021

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 

The EnergyWise Savings Online Store offers deep discounts on several water conservation measures including low-flow shower heads, water thermostatic valves (TSV) and faucet aerators to assist customers in saving electricity while conserving water.   At this time, the City of Charleston and its water utility have 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: September 2023

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

Water Efficiency

Charlottesville funds several rebates for water efficiency, including a rain barrel rebate and WaterSense toilet rebate.  The city has not adopted a formal water savings target, but reductions have been incorporated into routine practices by retrofitting municipal buildings with high-efficiency fixtures and installing rainwater harvesting systems at municipal facilities. 

Energy Efficiency and Self-Generation

Charlottesville does not have a specific energy efficiency target for its operations of its public utilities, but the regional wastewater utility has pursued initiatives to save energy at its Moores Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The wastewater treatment plant also uses biogas captured from the treatment process to generate electricity onsite. 

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Charlottesville adopted a stormwater utility fee and credit program to encourage the incorporation of green infrastructure onto private properties to manage stormwater.  The fee will also increase capital funding for green stormwater infrastructure. 

Last Updated: October 2015

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

Chula Vista is served mainly by two water agencies, Otay Water District and Sweetwater Authority. Otay Water District works with SDG&E regularly to evaluate the most cost-effective rate plans and leverages incentive plans when possible. Some of the incentive plans include the use of green energy and equipment modifications. Sweetwater Authority has and continues to partner with our local energy partner to promote water and energy efficiency measures. These events include community fairs, community tailgates, and lighting exchange events. Sweetwater Authority provides device-based rebates to consumers for water and energy and ensures these devices meet or exceed current Watersense and EPA benchmarks for efficiency. This measure is a network of multiple agencies that include Sweetwater Authority, San Diego County Water Authority, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, & San Diego Gas & Electric. Currently, water conservation is voluntary. Two bills, SB 606 and AB 1668, that establish permanent water use restrictions throughout the state were signed into law in 2018. Otay Water District and other water providers will work with the State Water Resources Control Board over the next several years to define how the new laws will be implemented. Efficient use of water is a long-term strategy for Sweetwater Authority as implied in its mission statement. This strategy includes a general emphasis on efficient use and conservation of water, as well as specific targets and conservation measures.

In 2016, the City of Chula Vista created a Water Stewardship Plan with stakeholder input that was approved by City Council in the fall of 2016. This originally started as a water reuse framework and came out of climate action planning efforts. Stakeholders included Sweetwater Authority and Otay Water District. In addition, the 2017 Climate Action Plan includes actions making city water use more visible, and water meter data is now being posted in all City facilities on a monthly basis, alongside energy use data. A 2018 update to the City Council on progress can be found here.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Otay Water District has a multi-year performance objective in its Strategic Plan to look for and leverage savings in energy costs. Sweetwater Authority’s Sustainability Action Plan and Strategic Plan contains specific energy efficiency targets and comprehensive energy efficiency strategies.

San Diego Metro, where the City’s wastewater goes, does have a cogeneration facility to capture and utilize methane gas for energy use. Sweetwater Authority’s Richard A. Reynolds Facility also has ground-mounted solar PV panels, which offset the cost of treating water and reduces the facility’s overall carbon emissions.

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 

Cleveland Water, the City-owned, regional drinking water utility has taken several steps to improve energy performance. This includes capital projects to address pump efficiency improvements within its distribution system, as well as significant investment in water main renewal to address break rates, water loss, and flow deficiencies caused by undersized and older water mains.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District has a LEED Gold-certified Renewable Energy Facility (REF) that provides biosolids dewatering, handling, malodorous air capture & treatment, and incineration. The process is autotrophic, so it does not require additional natural gas, which provides a savings of ~2.5M cubic feet per year of natural gas that previously went into the incineration of biosolids. Waste heat from the process is recovered and used to generate electricity for elsewhere in the wastewater treatment plant.  The REF began operation in 2014

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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The EnergyWise Savings Online Store offers deep discounts on several water conservation measures including low-flow showerheads, water thermostatic valves (TSV), and faucet aerators to assist customers in saving electricity while conserving water. At this point, the City of Columbia and its water utility have not yet established a water savings target or goal. The city does offer water saving tips online. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

The water utility has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies, but Columbia Water has installed more efficient systems.. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy but is planning a solar field at the wastewater treatment plan.  

Last Updated: August 2021  

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The City does not currently offer deep water savings measures, but provides efficiency tools. Columbus has a toilet leak detection brochure and offers free test strips.

The City of Columbus has taken several actions to ensure it continually focuses on improving the energy efficiency of their assets, including digester improvements that produce methane fuel for boilers and electricity generation, installation of generators and other equipment to provide beneficial reuse of digester biogas which will produce about half of the total electricity used at the plant and large amounts of boiler heat for the treatment process and buildings. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

The Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant is proceeding with a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) project, which is currently under construction. Construction began in 2021 with the system anticipated to go online later in 2023.

Last Updated: September 2023  

Dallas’s water and energy utilities do not jointly administer water and energy efficiency programs. DWU does participate in ERCOT’s 4 Coincident Peak program, which reduces electrical demand during peak time. The city has watering restrictions and offers its own water efficiency programs including the New Throne for your Home program, irrigation system checks, rebate programs, multi-sector water audits, and support for minor plumbing repairs. 

While Dallas’s Water Conservation Strategic Plan (2016-2020) calls for an average of 1% per year reduction in per capita consumption for the five-year planning period, the city does not have a new water conservation target.  

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

The Dallas City Council’s strategic plan calls for energy recapture opportunities in the water and wastewater systems. DWU has a project underway that will look at the installation of smart water meters to help reduce water loss and increase efficiency in the water treatment and delivery system. 

The Southside wastewater treatment plant has a bio-digester that generates electricity used on-site. The Cogeneration Facility has been in service for approximately 10 years and supplies about 50% of the wastewater plant’s electricity needs. 

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. Vectren does offer water savings measures in its Energy Efficiency Kit program and School Education program. These savings measures include low-flow showerheads and aerators. At this time, the City of Dayton and its water utility have 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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Denver Water partnered with Xcel Energy on Xcel’s Commercial Refrigeration Efficiency pilot program by providing efficient water pre-rinse spray valves when applicable as well as water efficiency information. Xcel also offers measures that reduce energy and water use, including low-flow showerheads, aerators, clothes washers and dishwashers. Denver Water offers free water audits to all customers as well as toilet and irrigation rebates and incentives.

Denver’s 2020 water quantity goal is to reduce per capita potable water use by 22% from 2001 (to 165 GPCD). That goal has been achieved and the city is finalizing a new water savings plan with goals.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Denver Water has not yet established a specific goal for energy efficiency in water services. Denver Water has implemented several energy efficiency initiatives at its pumping stations and reports its greenhouse gas emissions to The Climate Registry. As part of Denver Water’s comprehensive Operations Complex Redevelopment plan, overall energy use is expected to decrease by 5% annually. Additionally, Denver Water participates in Xcel Energy’s Process Efficiency program to identify opportunities for energy conservation specific to pumping operations. The Metro Wastewater Reclamation District also participates in Xcel Energy’s Process Efficiency program to identify opportunities for energy conservation specific to wastewater operations.

The Metro Wastewater District operates a 5 MW combined heat and power (CHP) system that captures methane gas and generates electricity used on-site. The National Western Center redevelopment is striving for net zero energy and will utilize the waste heat from Metro Wastewater’s Delgany line.

Last Updated: August 2023

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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

In partnership with DTE Energy, 110 customers that participated in the water utility's assistance program, WRAP (Water Residential Assistance Program), received refrigerator upgrades and other energy-saving services, including furnaces, through EcoWorks, WRAP's implementation partner in 2018. There are currently no water-saving targets in place for the City of Detroit.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Currently, there are no programs in place for energy efficiency in water operations at the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Detroit’s wastewater treatment plants do not have methane self-generation capacity, but the facility’s solar panels have a generating capacity of 20 kW and produce an estimated 21,500 kWh per year.

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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The City of El Paso does not have joint water and energy efficiency programs. The city uses reclaimed water and gives away water-efficient shower heads. El Paso Electric includes water efficiency measures in the low-income energy efficiency program and the educational LivingWise program kits installed in homes with electric water heaters. 

According to its 2014 Water Conservation Plan, the City aims to lower the per capita use to 118 GPCD by the year 2060, which equates to a decrease in per capita use of 3 gallons per person per day per decade. Since 1977, EPWater has reduced its per capita water use by 42% to 128 gallons per capita per day in 2018. In the new 2019 Water Conservation Plan, EPWater sets goals to reduce consumption to 126.5 GPCD within five years and to 125 GPCD by 2030, which is in line with the 2016 Far West Texas Plan and shows a continuing commitment to achieving the long-term goal of 118 GPCD by 2060. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

El Paso Water Utility’s updated Strategic Plan for 2015-2016 outlines strategies to increase efficiency, such as by reducing water main breaks by 10% and reducing operation budget and electricity costs by 2% over the next 3 years. The Plan also aims to reduce energy consumption by 1% and increase water capacity by 3 MGD through resource recovery by 2015. 

El Paso Water Utilities has installed three biogas recovery systems at wastewater treatment plants. This accounts for 25% energy savings. The utility is implementing energy management initiatives that reduce energy costs and is investing in equipment that protects critical operations from interruptions in the energy supply. The Roberto Bustamante WWTP has a cogeneration system in place. 

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, PG&E does offer rebates for high-efficiency commercial dishwashers.

Regarding water savings, the City of Fresno actively supports the challenge for all Californians to achieve a 20% per capita reduction in urban water demand by 2020, and conservation measures are in place to achieve this goal. We could not determine if the city is on track to meet this 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 yet 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. 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 

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this time, the City of Greensboro and its water utility have not established a water savings target or goal. However, the city does offer water saving tips online. 

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  

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 

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. Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) also offers smart irrigation clock coupons

SNWA provides service to Henderson, Boulder City, Laughlin, North Las Vegas, and Las Vegas. These communities are all in SWG’s southern Nevada service area. Henderson is part of the SNWA group to reduce water use in southern Nevada. It also enforces water restrictions on landscape watering. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

At this time, the water utility has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. We could not determine if the city’s water system self-generates its own energy. 

Last Updated: July 2021  

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

The City of Houston has participated in load saving programs over the years with CenterPoint energy during high demands. Certain plants and associated pieces of equipment were identified to help lower electrical demand when specified.

The City of Houston Water Conservation Plan sets water conservation goals and aims to preserve long-term and water supplies for the city and greater Houston region. The City recently established a water conservation task force to develop conservation goals and best practices.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The City of Houston recently released its Climate Action Plan, which includes a goal to reduce water and wastewater energy consumption by 10% through optimization of facility operations and water conservation. The City has also implemented several energy conservation upgrades and improvements for wastewater treatment plants and wastewater lift stations, as well as upgrading infrastructure with lower energy consuming lighting. The city also installed a Specific Energy Pump Optimizer system at a facility to minimize energy consumption.

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

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

JEA provides direct installation of high-efficiency toilets, showerheads, and aerators through the Neighborhood Efficiency Program. JEA also provides a free computer-based home energy assessment that provides a review of both water and electricity use, as well as abnormal consumption alerts, and free irrigation assessments. There is no adopted water efficiency goal for the city of Jacksonville.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The City of Jacksonville has not yet established a goal or comprehensive strategy for energy efficiency in its municipal water service operations. JEA’s Buckman Wastewater Treatment Facility, however, does self-generate energy that is used on site. Buckman Wastewater treatment plant electric consumption is offset by an 800-kW generator fueled by biogas produced at the plant. Biogas produced by the sludge digestion process is used in place of a portion of the natural gas used to heat and dry the biosolids. In addition, updated controls installed in 2014 optimize the UV disinfection system, resulting in an energy reduction of 200 kWh.

Last Updated: July 2021

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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

KUB is the water utility in Knoxville and an EPA WaterSense partner. KUB, in partnership with TVA, is providing free energy and water conservation workshops to the community. KUB has presented workshops to over 800 customers since April 2019, and workshop attendees receive conservation kits valued at more than $40. The kits include water conservation measures. Additionally, through a current partnership with the City of Knoxville, CAC, and others, some water efficiency measures are being installed in some of the homes being weatherized through KUB’s Round It Up program.

At this point, the City of Knoxville has not established a water savings target or goal.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

KUB has made significant investments to improve energy efficiency. Plant efficiency has been optimized with the installation of efficient equipment (e.g., variable frequency drives) and operational adjustments. KUB has had multiple energy assessments of its plants conducted by third parties. One such assessment was conducted by the State of Tennessee in 2015, and the results noted KUB’s plants are extremely efficient and there is little more that can be done to improve efficiency. Still, KUB strives for efficiency in its water and wastewater operations, and recent efforts include installing LED lighting, participating in TVA’s demand response program, improving aeration systems, and implementing advanced technology to prevent water loss.

In addition to water and energy conservation, KUB is a Platinum-level participant in the National Biosolids Partnership, through which all of the organic solids (approx. 33,000 wet tons per year) from the wastewater treatment process are certified as fertilizer by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and applied to regional farmlands at no cost to the farmers. An interdisciplinary team within KUB remains active in exploring additional efficiency opportunities. Implementation of data analytics software is scheduled to support efficiency efforts.

KUB’s Kuwahee (KUW) Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) produces approximately 359 MMBTU of biogas per day. Biogas is captured for direct use of two processes at the plant including mixing and heating sludge. Biogas used for the heating process is redirected away from the environment and provides an alternative to natural gas.

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. The water utility does offer water conservation kits and toilet rebates. At this time, the City of Lakeland has not established a water savings target or goal, but it does offer water saving tips online. 

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

BWL is the local water utility for Lansing, MI. The BWL Hometown Help program, which is part of BWL’s residential energy efficiency programs, provide free of charge energy savings kits to participants. One of the items provided in these kits is a high efficiency shower head for customers that currently have electric water heaters.  

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

Water Efficiency

The city of Lawrence has not established a goal for water efficiency through the city. However, the Utilities Department uses non-potable water for operational use at the wastewater treatment plant, and is working with Parks and Rec to use non-potable water for watering medians, trees, right-of-ways, etc. and making production changes at the water plants to decrease the amount of water used for process purposes.

Energy Efficiency and Self-Generation

The city has not yet established a target for energy efficiency through municipal water services operations. However, Lawrence will be identifying private sewer line infrastructure that is damaged and in need of replacement, and will be working with homeowners to replace those.  At the wastewater treatment plan, methane gas is captured from the anaerobic digesters and is used in place of natural gas to operate the sludge heaters and provide heat for the building.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Lawrence offers incentives for stormwater detention.  The property owner receives a 57% discount on their stormwater utility bill for detaining the 1% chance storm. No public funding is available for green infrastructure on public lands.

Last Updated: October 2013

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this time, neither the City of Little Rock nor its water or wastewater utilities have established a water savings target or goal. The water utility does offer water-saving tips online. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

Neither utility has set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy. 

Last Updated: July 2021  

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

In 2020 LBWD launched two direct installation programs for customers residing in low income and disadvantaged communities. The Direct Installation for Multifamily Efficiency (DIME) Program provides and installs high efficiency toilets, showerheads, kitchen and faucet aerators as well as communal coin operated clothes washers in multifamily dwelling units at no cost to the customer or resident. The Direct Install Gardens (DIG) program is a turf replacement alternative program for customers residing in low income and disadvantaged communities. The DIG program replaces non-functional grass lawns with a multi-benefit, low water-use garden. Through the DIG program, the customer’s existing irrigation system is upgraded to a more efficient option consisting of drip irrigation, micro-spray, high efficiency spray or a hybrid system integrated with a weather sensor.  There are several rebates offered by the city utility such as clothes washers, toilets, sprinklers, rain barrels, and weather based irrigation controllers.  They city also offers a Native Plant Parkway and the Lawn 2 Garden turf replacement assistance programs.

The utility has plans to reduce water use overall and decrease the amount of imported water which will cause energy savings by having to import less water. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

We were unable to verify whether Long Beach's local wastewater utility self-generates energy.

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 

The Louisville Water Company has not established any water efficiency programs, policies, or goals. At this point, the City of Louisville has not established a goal or programs for energy efficiency through the city’s water service operation system. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

The Louisville Water Company and the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District are both participating in the Effective Utility Management program that was developed by the Water Research Foundation, Water Environment Federation, EPA, and others to set metrics for utilities to become more efficient and sustainable operationally. MSD is following an EUM construct to reduce energy usage and is performing an energy audit/study for application at treatment and pumping facilities. Louisville Water Company (LWC) has an overall energy management strategy to minimize energy costs in its production department. This includes real-time demand management and longer-term engineering solutions to evaluate and modify pumps/motors to respond to changing system conditions.  LWC also has incorporated energy saving devices (motion sensors/LED lighting in our offices) in its facilities management area. 

Methane is captured and used as a supplemental fuel in the Rotary Drum Drying process at the wastewater plants. 

Last Updated: July 2021  

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 

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

At this point, the City of McAllen 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  

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

City-wide water efficiency and goals

The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this point, the City of Mesa 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: 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

Focus on Energy distributes low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, funded by a surcharge on utility bills. There are no water efficiency goals or full programs in place for the City of Milwaukee.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

MMSD’s Vision 2035 contains climate change mitigation and adaption strategies with an emphasis on energy efficiency, with the goal of being energy self-sufficient by 2035. MMSD has also issued certified climate bonds to support green infrastructure in the community. The regional wastewater treatment plant uses landfill gas to generate energy onsite.

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

At this time, the energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. Montgomery county has not established a water savings target or goal. 

Water plant efficiency and self-generation

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s Strategic Plan presents two 10-year goals: reduce electrical intensity at the wastewater plants in aggregate by 8% and reduce electrical intensity at water filtration plants in aggregate by 6%. The county’s water system does not self-generate its own energy. The strategic plan lays out energy efficiency and load management strategies to reach these goals.

Last updated: December 2019

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

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

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

We could not confirm if the water utility has set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies.

The Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority operates one of the largest processing facilities in the nation for disposing fats, oils, and grease (FOG) and processes this by heating to remove 99% of the water and then uses the result as supplemental fuel in the sludge incinerator. In addition, the GNHWPA issued a Request for Proposals for the beneficial use of thermal energy from the exhaust gases currently discharged by the sludge burning incinerator at the East Shore Treatment Facility.

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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

While the City of New York does not run a program with deep water savings measures and energy savings measures, the National Grid has a Commercial Direct Install Program, which offers commercial customers no-cost installation of high-efficiency water and energy savings measures. Consolidated Edison provides energy-efficient and low-flow devices through their energy efficiency programs.

In 2019, NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released the updated Water Demand Management Plan, a citywide program targeting a 5% overall reduction in water consumption citywide by October 2022. The plan consists of multiple strategies and more than 21 initiatives to achieve a target reduction of approximately 50 million gallons per day.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

DEP completed energy audits at all 14 in-city wastewater treatment plants and has accepted over 130 energy conservation measures (ECMs) that have the potential to reduce energy use by 2.9 MMBTU per year. While there is no set annual “target” for energy efficiency, the Agency is currently working on an integration study to align those ECMs with State of Good Repair (SOGR) plans and projects so that ECMs are completed concurrently with ongoing, necessary maintenance and repair work at the 14 in-city plants. Additionally, DEP had a target to beneficially use 60% its anaerobic digester gas for thermal and/or electric energy by 2017. DEP currently produces over 3.5 billion cubic feet of anaerobic digester gas (ADG) per year, approximately 60% of which is made of methane. DEP beneficially uses approximately 40% of the produced anaerobic digester gas (ADG). These efforts support the reduction target set by PlaNYC, where city government buildings are to reduce their GHG emissions by 30% by 2017 from a 2005 baseline. Internally, DEP has implemented a Standard Operating Procedure to govern energy conservation and GHG reduction design considerations during the project design lifecycle, from the selection of the designer to commissioning of the installed equipment. Energy design guidelines for unit processes or equipment accompany the SOP and provide guidance on how to increase energy efficiency with any new facility construction or reconstruction projects.

At the Owl’s Head WWTP, there are three 1.6 MW dual fuel engines to generate electricity at the plant which offset approximately 40% of the plant’s electric needs. Moreover, The Coney Island WWTP has four 1.6 MW engine generators. These cogeneration units have been in service for over 30 years. The plant is generating over 80% of total electric power from these engines and utilizes nearly 100% digester gas production at plant. DEP also designed a 16 MW cogeneration system at the North River WWTP which operates at an average of 10 MW and uses ADG and utility natural gas. The system  meets the plant’s base electrical demand and all thermal heating needs.

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 Newark 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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

PG&E partners with East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), the local water utility for Oakland, on the following water-energy efforts: joint customer audit referral programs, joint appliance efficiency upgrade rebates, and shared R&D for joint customer technology and benefits offerings. EBMUD also offers efficiency rebate programs, ranging from residential to commercial and municipal rebates on appliances and equipment, lawn conversion, and audit programs, while PG&E offers rebates for high-efficiency commercial dishwashers.

EBMUD has both a Water Conservation Master Plan and a Strategic Plan to achieve its water conservation goals. Since the Master Plan’s first adoption in 1994, EBMUD customers have saved an estimated 26 million gallons per day (MGD) through conservation practices. EBMUD hopes to save an additional 39 MGD by 2040.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

EBMUD’s Climate Action Plan identifies opportunities to conserve energy and reduce emissions. EBMUD also uses a comprehensive plan to implement energy savings measures throughout the treatment system.

EBMUD self-generates energy through hydropower, solar power, and biogas production. EBMUD also maintains a food scraps recycling program to self-generate energy.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

Oklahoma City’s water and energy utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. In 2013, Oklahoma City’s Department of Utilities implemented a Progressive Water Conservation Program. The city also partners with the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the USEPA WaterSense program, the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE), and several local organizations to promote water conservation, such as through water-saving rebates like low-flow fixtures and dual-flush toilets. 

In 2017, the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust and City Council adopted the Water Conservation Plan. The plan provides both internal and external strategies to engage customers in water-efficient practices. Active plan implementation is ongoing. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

Oklahoma City’s Department of Utilities has not yet established an energy efficiency goal for water operations. However, it does implement a mandatory odd/even day watering program which effectively cuts daily peak customer water demand, reducing electrical usage. 

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

Last Updated: July 2021

City-wide water efficiency and goals 

Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) is a natural gas and water utility. It offers a rain shut-off device program to promote outdoor water conservation, as well as a $50 rebate for rain-sensors. 

At this point, the City of Omaha has not established a water savings target or goal, but its website does list plans for water conservation and water emergencies

Water plant efficiency and self-generation 

The water utility has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies, nor does it self-generate its own energy. 

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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. However, as a participant of the California Green Business Program, the City of Oxnard through the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance Partnership builds partnerships with local business-related organizations to promote the Green Certification Program. The program, which includes measures taken to reduce water consumption as part of the certification process, certifies businesses that promote and operate in an environmentally responsible way. Additionally, SoCalGas offers water efficiency measures that also save natural gas energy through numerous programs serving the residential, commercial, and public sectors, which are available to customers in the City of Oxnard.

The City of Oxnard is in the process of adapting a water savings target and currently has required water saving and conservation measures.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Neither utility has set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy.

Last Updated: September 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

The city of Philadelphia does not have joint water and energy efficiency programs. PECO’s EE program offers saving in water consumption through direct install

Efficiency Efforts in Water Services

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

PECO does partner with the local water utility, directly installs shower heads and will potentially address leaks in the current health and safety pilot program. PECO’s EE program also offers savings in water consumption through direct install low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and pipe wrap as well as rebates that reduce the initial cost barrier for customers purchasing and installing efficient water heating equipment that are typically sold through major retail outlets. PGW also offers low flow faucet aerators and showerheads in its programs. To help low-income water customers reduce water waste, the Water Department runs the Water Conservation Assistance Program, which brings efficiency through repairs to plumbing and installation of water conservation devices.

Philadelphia has not yet set a water efficiency target.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) has not yet established an energy efficiency goal for water operations. However, it has developed a utility-wide strategic energy plan containing energy efficiency goals.

PWD established an agreement with Ameresco to design, build, and maintain an innovative wastewater biogas-to-energy facility at the Northeast water pollution control plant. The project, completed in 2013, uses biogas from the wastewater digesters to generate thermal energy and 5.6 MW of electricity for on-site use.

Last Updated: August 2023

low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and pipe wrap as well as rebates that reduce the initial cost barrier for customers purchasing and installing efficient water heating equipment that are typically sold through major retail outlets. PGW also offers low flow faucet aerators and showerheads in its programs. To help low-income water customers reduce water waste, the Water Department runs the Water Conservation Assistance Program, which brings efficiency through repairs to plumbing and installation of water conservation devices.

Philadelphia has not yet set a water efficiency target.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) has not yet established an energy efficiency goal for water operations. However, it has developed a utility-wide strategic energy plan containing energy efficiency goals.

PWD established an agreement with Ameresco to design, build, and maintain an innovative wastewater biogas-to-energy facility at the Northeast water pollution control plant. The project, completed in 2013, uses biogas from the wastewater digesters to generate thermal energy and 5.6 MW of electricity for on-site use.

Last Updated: July 2021

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

Pittsburgh’s energy and water utilities do not run any joint efficiency programs. Even though there are no established water efficiency goals, PWSA supports two fulltime leak detection crews that employ electronic correlators and acoustic sound sensors to pinpoint leaks on both utility- and customer-owned water lines.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below 2003 levels by 2023. Old pump motors are being upgraded to more efficient equipment. ALCOSAN, the county sewer authority, uses steam generated from incineration of the sludge to heat buildings and to generate electricity.

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

Although Providence’s water and energy utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs, the Providence Water Supply Board offers water efficiency kits for residential customers and efficiency audits for commercial and industrial customers.

In accordance with R.I. General Laws §46-15.3-5.1 (c) and §46-15.8-5, the Water Supply Board established a residential average annual water use target of 65 gallons per capita per day.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The City of Providence has not yet established a target for energy efficiency through municipal water services operations. However, in October 2017, the water utility received grant and rebate money that it used to implement several energy efficient measures at its plant. As a result of its efforts, the COF project received a “Lead by Example Award” from the RI Office of Energy Resources in recognition of significant contributions toward comprehensive clean energy measures that are helping to reduce energy burdens and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The agency installed a rooftop solar array, which is expected to offset about 60% of its annual electric consumption. It installed energy efficient LED lighting and lighting controls throughout its facility, purchased three zero-emissions Chevy Bolts, and installed two electric vehicle charging stations on its property. The COF project also installed green infrastructure to mitigate stormwater run-off to nearby Mashapaug Pond.

The wastewater treatment plant currently self-generates some energy through biogas CHP and is powered by 100% renewable energy as of October 2020 via biogas CHP, wind, and solar.

Providence Water is powered by 100% renewable energy as of October 2020.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. The City of Provo has a water savings goal of reducing per capita by 25% based on 2000 levels by 2025. 

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  

City-wide water efficiency and goals

The City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department offers independent water efficiency programs for customers to reduce their water usage. They offer numerous programs, such as a Water Conservation Kit at no cost and run a Showerhead Swap Out Program to promote the use of high-efficiency showerheads. The City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department implements water-efficient incentive programs, public education on water conservation issues, and tiered residential water rates. These efforts have resulted in a steady decline in gallons per capita consumed per day (GPCD).

The long-term goal is to maintain a GPCD value of 90 or below for all combined uses and 50 gallons per capita, per day, through 2060.

Water plant efficiency and self-generation

At this point, Raleigh’s Public Utilities Department has not established a specific goal for energy efficiency through municipal water operations. However, the City has an ongoing energy intensity reduction initiative. These efforts began with baseline benchmarking to evaluate usage trends and power demands. These efforts include the use of power management software to avoid running water plant raw water pumps during peak energy hours, installation of two solar arrays, consisting of 250 kW and 1.3 MW capacities, and the conversion from aerobic to anaerobic digestion at the Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy. Nevertheless, the City of Raleigh is also in the design phase for the development of an anaerobic digestion facility with thermal hydrolysis and combined heat and power facilities. Under the City's current plan, the methane gas from the digesters will be cleaned and converted to compressed natural gas and service the City's bus fleet. Construction commenced in 2019. Facility design will accommodate 50 buses per day (the equivalent of 5,000 cars).

Last Updated: September 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 

Richmond is an EPA Water Sense Partner, but the city does not fund water efficiency programs. Richmond Department of Public Utilities’ RVAH2O is an integrated effort to manage stormwater, drinking water, and wastewater. Water efficiency programs fall under RVAH2O. The 2017 Clean Water Plan contains goals to reduce use of potable water and increase water conservation by incentivizing updates to end-user water fixtures. 

The Richmond 300 Master Plan, adopted in December 2020, establishes a goal to reduce citywide water consumption by 10% per capita. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

While DPU does not have a comprehensive energy management strategy in place, it has a target to reduce energy usage from its utility operations by 1% annually. For the RVAgreen 2050 integrated climate action plan, specific energy efficiency strategies for the water and wastewater utilities are being developed in order to meet the 80% by 2050 GHG emissions reduction target. 

There are currently no self-generation facilities installed in wastewater treatment plants in Richmond. The Richmond 300 Master Plan contains a strategy to install methane-capture technology at the wastewater treatment plant.  

Last Updated: August 2021  

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

The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this point, the City of Rochester 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: 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 utilities currently do not offer joint energy and water efficiency measures. However, Xcel Energy does offer several efficiency measures that also save water, including efficient showerheads, faucet aerators, ENERGY STAR clothes washers, and efficient commercial dishwashers.

The city’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan identifies specific water conservation goals (water use reduction goal of 2% per person per year) and provides several strategies to achieve those goals. SPRWS has found that the most common cause of unintended increased usage is a running toilet. In 2019, as many as 4,700 water customers experienced a potentially leak-related spike in their bill. SPRWS has established a program for early detection and assistance with identifying/fixing malfunctioning toilets. The program has a dual goal of conserving water and preventing financial strain since water bills can add up quickly when leaks related to malfunctioning toilets are left unresolved.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS) has two solar projects. The first project is a 53.6 KW system with an approximate generation of 56,5000 kWh per year, which was installed above the Engine Room in 2021. The second project is a 1,000 KW system to be installed above the finished water reservoir and completed in the summer of 2023. SPRWS owns both systems. SPRWS installed LED lighting in its facilities and resized the high-service pump, which will save approximately 150,000 to 300,000 kWh per month.

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES), which operates and maintains regional sewers and wastewater treatment, is also dedicated to minimizing its energy use and emissions. MCES has met 50% of Executive Order 19-27, directing state agencies to reduce its energy consumption by 30% between 2006 and 2027. The energy conservation work that MCES has implemented equates to about $3 million per year in savings. Over the next 10 years, the solids improvement projects at Empire and Seneca wastewater treatment plants that will further decrease energy consumption.

The MCES operates two wastewater treatment facilities, the Metro plant and the Blue Lake plant, both of which self-generate energy. MCES also produced methane gas through anaerobic digestion.

Last Updated: August 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

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

The Department of Public Utilities’ 2014 Water Conservation Plan set a goal to reduce per capita water use 25% from 2000 levels by the year 2025 as measured by gallons per capital daily consumption (GPCD). In order to meet this goal, the water utility outlines a comprehensive list of Conservation Practice Strategies in the 2014 Plan. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

We could not confirm if the Department of Public Utilities has established a target for energy efficiency through municipal water services operations. Public Utilities, as with every other Department in Salt Lake City Corporation, is accountable to the City’s Climate Positive 2040 Goals, which include the near-term goal of a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by year 2030. Additionally, like all Departments in Salt Lake City Corporation, Public Utilities participates in the comprehensive energy management planning which convenes annually to present updated energy efficiency projects and progress within the respective departments. 

Salt Lake City’s wastewater treatment plant uses biogas captured from the treatment process to generate electricity onsite. 

Last Updated: September 2023  

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The City of San Antonio offers WaterSaver rebates, free high-efficiency toilets and fixtures, large-scale retrofit rebates for water system upgrades, irrigation design rebates, and drought restrictions. CPS Energy offers rebates for ENERGY STAR water heaters, pool pumps, and solar water heaters.

The City of San Antonio reached its goal to reduce water usage to 116 gallons per person per day by 2020, which is a reduction of 0.06%, and to also use 16,500 acre-ft of water overall per year by 2020. Total per capita was 117 in 2017.

San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS) expects to reduce its total per capita consumption to 88 GPCD by 2070 and to reduce residential per capita consumption to 55 GPCD by 2070, per its 5-year water conservation plan. Its interim target is to reduce water usage to 96 gallons per person per day by 2040.These targets were selected to ensure conservation continues to make a significant water supply contribution.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

SAWS has not yet established an energy efficiency goal for municipal water operations. However, the water system tracks the energy savings from its efficiency initiatives, which include using high-efficiency pumps and motors to distribute water, generating biogas at its treatment facility, and performing lighting upgrades. In 2020 SAWS developed a draft Energy Management Strategic Plan that includes energy reduction goals, timelines, and energy reduction strategies, but the plan has not been adopted yet.

SAWS does have a 20-year contract with AMERESCO to sell biogas, although it does not use the gas for self-generation. Annually, San Antonio produces about 140,000 tons of biosolids. SAWS partnered with Ameresco, a national energy company focusing on renewable energy, and by 2010 Ameresco began to process more than 1.5 million standard cubic feet of biogas a day and deliver a minimum of 900,000 cubic feet of natural gas each day to a nearby commercial pipeline to sell on the open market.

Last Updated: September 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 City of San Francisco and PG&E do not offer joint water and energy efficiency programs, but the city does have water-saving rebates independent of the energy utility. The City has updated codes requiring water-efficient fixtures/systems such as toilets, irrigation systems, and shower heads. Rebates are offered for high-efficiency washers and low-flow toilets, as well as free water saving kits. The City’s water conservation program was expanded to offer custom rebates based on projected savings as well as fixed rebates for common measures, similar to its energy efficiency programs. Additionally, the City provides a rebate for residences building a graywater recycling system on-site. PG&E also offers rebates for high-efficiency commercial dishwashers.

San Francisco aims to use less than 50 gallons of water per capita per day city-wide. Water use in the city has remained below 50 gallons per capita per day since 2014.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

Energy efficiency projects have been completed at 11 water and wastewater facilities, with additional efficiency improvements planned as part of ongoing system renewal work. For example, through the Sewer System Improvement Program, the Southeast Treatment Plant is undergoing operational improvements and upgrades that will include increased energy efficiency and resource recovery.

The SFPUC has installed large electric cogeneration plants that utilize digester gas at two of its wastewater treatment plants, Southeast and Oceanside. Though no energy-savings target has been set, these systems generate 2 MW and 1 MW at peak, respectively. The electricity generated is used on-site. The SFPUC has also installed six different solar photovoltaic projects at its facilities, including a 5 MW solar project at Sunset Reservoir.

The Hetch Hetchy system delivers water to 2.7 million customers in the Bay Area (including the 867,000 residents of San Francisco) via a gravity-fed siphon system. Embedded in this system are 384.5 MW of hydroelectric generation capacity and 11 MW of solar PV, wind, and biogas, which supplies 100% of electricity used by San Francisco municipal buildings and infrastructure, including water and wastewater treatment.

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 

The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this point, the City of San Juan and its water utilities have 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, nor does the city’s water system self-generate its own energy. 

Last Updated: July 2021  

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

We were unable to verify whether the city or AVISTA provide water efficiency measures to customers in Spokane. 

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs, but Columbia Gas of Massachusetts does offer water efficiency measures in its energy efficiency programs. In 2018, water efficiency measures saved 33,227,757 annual gallons. The City of Springfield has not yet established a water savings target or goal but does offer water saving tips online. 

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 

The City of St. Louis’s Water Division and the energy utilities do not offer joint water or energy efficiency programs. At this point, the City of St. Louis Water Division does not have a goal to reduce water usage, nor does it offer water conservation rebates or incentives to city residents. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

There is currently no goal established for saving energy through the municipal water system operations. The City's Water Division has entered into a formal Energy Demand agreement with Ameren Missouri and is saving energy through this program. 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 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. However, PG&E does offer rebates for high-efficiency commercial dishwashers. At this time, the City of Stockton has not established a water savings target or goal, but it does offer water-saving tips online.

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

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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The City of Tampa offers water efficiency programs independently of the energy utilities, such as water audits, plumbing fixture retrofits, rain sensors, irrigation system efficiency check-ups, and other programs. These programs and general water usage is monitored by the Water Use Restrictions Enforcement Program. The city has a year-round restriction on water use for all water sources except reclaimed water inside the city limits. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

Tampa does not currently have an energy efficiency goal set in place for water services. Tampa’s Wastewater Department employs staggered starting of motor loads throughout their facilities to reduce transient power usage. The methane generators used to power some of the electricity of the City of Tampa Wastewater Department have reached the end of their life, but new generators are included in Tampa’s 20-year Master Plan. 

Last Updated: September 2023

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. However, Columbia Gas of Ohio includes water efficiency measures in its energy efficiency programs, including energy efficient showerhead, faucet aerators, and pre-rinse spray valves. At this time, the City of Toledo and its water and wastewater utilities have not established a water savings target or goal. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

Neither the water nor the wastewater utility has set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy. 

Last Updated: July 2021

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. The City of Tucson follows the conservation target established by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). As of 2012, Tucson was on track to meeting its target. It also has a water plan that includes various ways to conserve water.

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 

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

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

The City of Tulsa has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. However, the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority implements a Strategic Plan Framework through which the wastewater treatment facilities closely monitors energy usage and has established a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for kilowatt hours used per million gallons treated, implements electrical conservation measures at water and wastewater plants, and installs variable frequency drives on pump motors. In addition, the A.B. Jewell Water Treatment Plant invested in the replacement of 350 existing lights, ranging from 70 to 400 watts, with just 259 Dialight LEDs, ranging from just 33 to 212 watts, which saved 446 MWh from the plant’s annual consumption.

Tulsa’s Northside plant captures methane as part of the anaerobic digestion process and uses it to fuel process boilers. Tulsa’s other anaerobic digestion facility has the ability to capture methane to fuel process boilers, but the city will not utilize this option until improvement are made to clean the gas and reduce equipment corrosion. 

Last Updated: August 2021

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Virginia Beach Public Utilities provides water efficiency programs but does not offer energy efficiency measures. Virginia Beach Public Utilities is a member of the EPA Water Sense partnership. It offers a low-flush toilet rebate program funded through the Department of Public Works and provides water conservation tips online. Water Sense participation also includes education, participation in regional water conservation programs, and a full cost recovery rate structure that penalizes excess water usage. The City also helped fund the regional program Ask HR Green, a regional awareness campaign aimed at educating citizens on how to conserve resources and protect the environment. Currently, the City of Virginia Beach does not have a specified goal for water efficiency.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

The City of Virginia Beach has not yet established a goal or comprehensive strategy for energy efficiency in its municipal water service operations. However, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) recently completed an upgrade to the Atlantic Treatment Plant (ATP), installing a combined heat and power (CHP) system comprised of a gas cleaning system and two engine generators for power production and heat recovery. HRSD also recently received the 2019 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award Gold Medal for its SWIFT Research Center.

Last Updated: July 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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. However, the water utility does offer rebates for water and energy-efficient products. At this point, the City of Wichita 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

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs, and the City of Winston-Salem has not yet 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., but the Utilities Department monitors devices and systems to prevent excess energy use.  

At the Archie Elledge Wastewater Treatment Plant, one of two wastewater treatment plants run by the City/County Utilities, methane produced in the digester treatment process is collected and used to help power the treatment plants. The city also uses Combined Heat and Power at the Muddy Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.  

Last Updated: July 2021

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

Although the energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs, National Grid does offer rebates and incentives for water and energy saving technologies, such as faucet aerators, clothes washers, and showerheads. Eversource does not partner with the water department, but it does offer water savings through existing energy efficiency programs.

At this point, the City of Worcester 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