Michigan’s Water Resource Utility of the Future Initiative

In June of 2015, Ed McCormick of Oakland, California, then President of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), spoke at the opening session of the annual conference of the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA). Mr. McCormick’s presentation on the Water Resource Utility of the Future (UOTF) included a vision for improved energy, nutrient and solid’s recycling and recovery at Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs) throughout the country. This vision sparked an impassioned interest in Bill Creal, then Water Resources Division (WRD) Chief for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), regarding the opportunities these concepts provide for communities in Michigan.Soon after this conference, a joint MDEQ/MWEA task force was formed to discuss the opportunities and work needing to be done. These discussions were founded on an excellent relationship between MDEQ and MWEA over years of quarterly meetings and dialogue on issues facing the state’s wastewater industry. A unique outcome of the discussions was a grant issued by MDEQ to MWEA to communicate UOTF concepts throughout the state. Grant tasks included:Documentation of Michigan’s wastewater treatment plant recycling metricsA survey of energy consumption by Michigan’s wastewater treatment plantsReview of foundation documentsOrganization of a Leadership Summit to introduce the concept to Michigan’s wastewater industry and documentation of Leadership Summit outcomesPreparation of a Vision DocumentA Recognition Program and Outreach ActivitiesThe UOTF initiative was designed to align with the Governor’s recycling council goals and with initiatives focused on infrastructure and sustainability; the state’s first Water Strategic Plan; and recommendations of the state’s 21st Century Infrastructure Commission. Overarching Principles associated with this initiative are:Improve effluent quality to protect human health and environmentEnhance sustainable operating structurePeople are our primary resourceRecognize the role of water as a community assetThe Water Resource Recovery Facilities are an asset to the communities in which they are locatedEnergy neutrality as a goal for Water Resource Recovery FacilitiesThese efforts would stimulate economic growth for Michigan’s communitiesThis presentation will describe the efforts of this innovative program that have been conducted to date, work product, and next steps. Focus will be given to introducing the audience to the Michigan Water Resource Utility of the Future Vision document. This document suggests that the Water Resources Utility of the Future model be the goal for all wastewater utilities in the State of Michigan.The presentation will provide insight, ideas, and discussion topics for water resource recovery facility operators and superintendents, design engineers, regulators, and policy makers who wish to move their plants forward toward the Utility of the Future.