Alliance Brings Watergy Program to U.S. Utilities

Watergy, an Alliance to Save Energy program that has helped bring clean water more efficiently to dozens of cities in developing countries with significant savings in both energy and water, is now being replicated in the United States.  The program just began in Bucks County, Pa., where the Alliance is working with the local water utility and other partners to assess the energy efficiency of the utility’s water distribution system and help identify financing options for implementing energy efficiency recommendations. 

On Oct. 1, the Alliance, Policy Navigation Group (PNG), and Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority held their kickoff Watergy meeting at BCWSA's headquarters in Warrington, Pa.  On Oct. 25, the Alliance, PNG and Process Energy Services LLC began their first energy assessment, which targeted BCWSA's largest pumping systems. The group focused on these largest pumping systems because they are the major energy using applications in BCWSA’s water treatment and wastewater treatment plants.

Watergy: The Link between Energy and Water

The Alliance developed the term "Watergy" in 1997 to describe the strong link between water supply and energy use in municipal water systems. 

Specifically, Watergy addresses the often substantial amounts of energy used in supplying water, and the program seeks to improve the energy efficiency of water treatment and delivery systems. Watergy projects typically optimize municipal or regional water supply and wastewater treatment systems using a suite of technical and managerial improvements. 

Since the program’s launch, Watergy-based projects in more than 100 cities in 16 countries have resulted in total energy savings of about 21 million kWh and monetary savings in water and energy of $5.3 million. In addition to these significant savings, Watergy projects have also improved water service and reliability while freeing up revenue that utilities can then devote  to upgrading their systems and expanding their service to new customers.

• Photo Caption: The first domestic Watergy energy audit occurred on Oct. 25.  From left to right: Alexander Filippov, Senior Program Manager for International Programs at the Alliance; Jonathan Gledhill, president of PNG; John Butler, COO of BCWSA; Len Hughes, waste water treatment supervisor; and Steve Bolles, energy auditor.

Success Abroad & Fertile Soil at Home

Given the success of Watergy projects internationally, the Alliance has long been interested in replicating its success domestically. Moreover, the Watergy program may become particularly relevant for domestic water utilities as drought conditions afflict some parts of the United States and as electric power rates become more variable.

In collaboration with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and Policy Navigation Group (PNG), the Alliance has begun working with U.S. water utilities that have demonstrated strong interest in improving the energy efficiency of their own operations.

Kicking off Watergy in the United States

The first domestic Watergy project is starting with system-level assessments of the authority’s largest pumping stations, using the methodology contained in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ Pumping System Assessment Standard (EA-2-2009). This approach will enable BCWSA to evaluate its pumping systems according to the best practices in energy efficiency assessment services.

In addition, the Alliance and its partners will help develop a robust energy management plan that will identify capital solutions and address operational procedures, public communication and capacity-building activities to complement the assessment.

“We are very excited and optimistic about the cost savings and improved service levels we can realize by participating in this groundbreaking Watergy Partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy, BCWSA and PNG,” said Benjamin Jones, CEO of BCWSA.

• Photo Caption: On Oct. 1, the Alliance and PNG participated in the kickoff meeting of the first domestic Watergy project at BCWSA's headquarters in Pennsylvania. From left to right: Jonathan Gledhill, president of PNG; Benjamin Jones, CEO of BCWSA; and Brian Castelli, Executive Vice President of Programs and Development of the Alliance.

While the international Watergy program has been defined largely by employing engineering experts to conduct audits and aid in retrofitting equipment, the domestic projects will feature broader service offerings tailored to U.S. water utilities. Energy efficiency assessments will still be important, but domestic Watergy projects will also include policy development and outreach activities such as awareness campaigns, sharing of success stories and capacity building. 

Another likely focus of the domestic program will be assistance in identifying and understanding opportunities for financing energy efficiency measures, including performance contracting and accessing capital through revolving funds and incentive programs.