Supporting Implementation of Sustainability Concepts using a System-Wide Modeling Approach - Inland Empire Utilities Agency Case Study

In the water and wastewater industry, there are opportunities to implement concepts of sustainability including measures to protect the environment, its natural resource base and the viability of natural systems. The Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) provides a case study for implementing sustainability concepts in the planning and operation of their wastewater treatment facilities. Working with IEUA staff, Carollo Engineers developed a customized system optimization model, OPTIMO™, to support IEUA's strategic decision-making process. OPTIMO™ provides IEUA staff with information on how to incorporate sustainability concepts into planning and operations, including maximizing existing system-wide capacity, maximizing opportunities for recycled water use, and maximizing onsite energy generation. IEUA's 3-year business plan provides an example of a modeling scenario that will evaluate maximizing delivery of recycled water while minimizing energy usage.