Managing Water and Wastewater Utility Data to Reduce Energy Consumption and Cost

Data management plays a vital role to managing energy use and cost in the water and wastewater industry. Thus far, only a limited number of water and wastewater utilities are advancing their energy data management practice and there is no a comprehensive knowledge base available for utilities on the new and rapidly changing sets of tools, equipment and software available for energy data management. This study aims to review energy data management practices in water and wastewater utilities for automated data collection and achieving energy efficiency and cost effective operations. This study identifies data sets of value to reduce energy consumption and cost of pumping operations and treatment processes, identifies data acquisition, data transmission, communication, and storage requirements and methods from various information technologies and energy management systems. In addition, the study identifies data analytics, platforms, and display methods that support reduction in energy consumption and cost of water and wastewater pumping operations and treatment processes. This project was funded by the Water Research Foundation with participation from approximately thirty water and wastewater utilities, and software/equipment providers.