Drinking Water Treatment

Drinking Water Distribution

Water treatment entails treating the raw water from the abstraction stage to meet the drinking water standards.

Water treatment energy and GHG emissions can be affected by some of the other stages in the water cycle, as noted on the left column, particularly by the quality and the quantity of the raw water to be treated. However, other factors can impact this stage’s energy consumption and GHG emissions:

Treatment technology selection and efficiency.
Pumping efficiency.
Distribution network design and local topography (hilly or flat).
Energy source (renewable, fossil fuels, grid energy mix).

Impacted by:	Impacts:
Water Abstraction The quality of the water abstracted defines the treatment required; hence the energy required.	Water Abstraction The distance and elevation of the drinking water treatment facilities will dictate how much energy is needed to pump the water from the source to the treatment.
Drinking Water Distribution Water loss in the drinking water distribution system increases the volume of water treated, and therefore the energy requirements.	Drinking Water Distribution The distance and elevation of the drinking water treatment facilities will dictate how much energy is needed to convey the water to the end users at an adequate pressure.
End users Excessive water usage by End Users increases the volume treated and therefore the energy requirements.

What can you do?

Find out more about how you can improve specific areas of your system:

Expand All

Drinking water treatment process optimization
- Add or improve pre-treatment before membrane filtration
  Description
  
  It is essential to establish a good pre-treatment to avoid or minimize fouling, so productivity loss would be lower.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  N/A
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  Improve the life of membranes
- Efficient UV lamps
  Description
  
  UV disinfection has a high energy demand. More efficient lamps either transmit the UV light into the water more efficiently, or produce the UV light itself more efficiently. This results in less lamps required, energy is wasted in losses, less energy required to apply a given dose.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  Higher initiial cost. Some technologies are still in pilot stage.
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  Lower energy costs.Lower maintenance costs as less lamps need to be maintained.
  
  LiteraturePaid
  
  Evaluation of reflection and refraction in simulations of ultraviolet disinfection using the discrete ordinates radiation model.
  
  DOWNLOAD
- Improve Hydraulics of ozonation reactors
  Description
  
  Due to the relatively fast decay of ozone, even in pure water, optimizing the hydraulics of the ozonation reactor ensures an optimal exposure time of each water molecule to meet the adequate dose- time of exposure combination, which is key to achieving disinfection. Optimizing the hydraulics avoids having to overdose to achieve the required log removal of micro-organisms. A lower quantity of ozone needs to be generated for same disinfection efficiency.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  Hydraulics need to be modeled for optimal operation during the design phase.
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  Lower energy, due to lower ozone quantity. Lower equipment and maintenance costs due to lower ozone quanity required.
- Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) in combination with reverse osmosis (RO) as a replacement for conventional activated sludge plants and advanced treatment for water re-use
  Description
  
  Membrane Bioreactors can be used to replace conventional activated sludge plants and produce better quality filtrate which can then be re-used. MBRs have a much smaller area footprint which is especially relevant in urban areas. An MBR together with reverse.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  Wastewater effluent has generally a high biofouling potential which can in turn reduce the efficiency of an MBR. Physical and chemical methods exist to reduce biofouling.
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  N/A
- Optimization of membrane operation condition
  Description
  
  Membrane processes produce a concentration gradient of dissolved salts approaching the membrane surfaces.It increases need for backwashing and reduces the lifetime of the membrane. Various saturation indexes, such as the Stiff-Davis and Langelier, should be maintained below precipitating values in the brine (through pH control or deposit control agents) to prevent calcium carbonate fouling.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  N/A
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  More operation efficiency which in turn means energy saving.
- Optimization of membrane physical and chemical cleaning
  Description
  
  Backwashing of membranes requires water and energy; its optimization is crucial to increase the overall efficiency of the treatment process. Membrane cleaning efficiency depends on many parameters such as hydrodynamic conditions, concentration and temperature of chemical cleaning solution, as well as sequence of cleaning. Biofouling increases gradually the resistance of membranes and can only be partially remediated. It increases need for backwashing and reduces the lifetime of the membrane. Solutions and technologies for reducing membrane biofouling are therefore important.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  N/A
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  Increase the overall efficiency of the treatment process.
- Optimize chlorine production
  Description
  
  Optimization of the equipment and production of the chlorine could lead to a substantial reduction in the energy consumption.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  N/A
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  Saving cost in disinfectants and higher disinfection efficiency.
  
  LiteraturePaid
  
  Calibration and optimization of the pumping and disinfection of a real water supply system
  
  Matthew S. Gibbs; Graeme C. Dandy, M.ASCE; and Holger R. Maier 2010
  
  DOWNLOAD
- Optimizing filter backwashing sequence
  Description
  
  In conventional filtration, how the filter backwash sequence is initiated in conventional filtration can affect the frequency of back-washing. The more times that filters are back-washed, the more energy consumed during the process. Therefore, it is critical to optimise the back-washing sequence, such that filters are not excessively back-washed. The more optimal the sequence, the less GHG emissions generated from the treatment stage.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  N/A
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  Improved redundancy / flexibility, lower energy consumption / GHG emissions.
- Replacement of green ozone generators
  Description
  
  Ozone disinfection has a high energy demand. The ozone generator represents approximately 90% of the total energy demand in the ozonation process, with the remaining 10% used for the ozone generator cooling and ozone destruction processes. Earlier models of the ozone generator had poor production efficiency; thermal loss during operation caused most of the electricity used to go to waste. Green Ozone Generator increase the electrical input capacity.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  N/A
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  • Small-diameter discharge tubes • Increased electrical input capacity • Cost and resource savings
- Use of a supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA)
  Description
  
  A SCADA enables the remote monitoring and control of the whole system, or parts of it, and processes information to generate alarms, reports, graphs or other outputs essential to operation and maintenance. By enabling the remote control of valves and pumps, the SCADA systems allows faster responses in emergency situations, such as fires or pipe bursts. Remote control, gathered with the system’s monitoring, can also lead to a reduction of human resources and travelling needs, especially those related to the operation of electromechanical equipment.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  Proper training of staff to work and use this tool is essential.
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  • Faster responses in emergency situations, such as fires or pipe bursts. • Reduction of human resources and traveling needs, especially those related to the operation of electromechanical equipment.
Global management solutions, guidelines or general information of interest for urban water cycle
- Global management solutions, guidelines or general information of interest -Solution-
  Description
  
  Global management solutions, guidelines or general information of interest.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  Global management solutions, guidelines or general information of interest.
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  Global management solutions, guidelines or general information of interest.
  
  GuidelinesLiteratureOpen source
  
  Water and wastewater energy best practice guidebook
  
  DOWNLOAD
  
  Case studiesLiteraturePaid
  
  Energy Efficiency in the Water Industry: A Compendium of Best Practices and Case Studies – Global...
  
  M J Brandt, R A Middleton and S Wang 2012
  
  DOWNLOAD
  
  LiteraturePaid
  
  Calibration and optimization of the pumping and disinfection of a real water supply system
  
  Matthew S. Gibbs; Graeme C. Dandy, M.ASCE; and Holger R. Maier 2010
  
  DOWNLOAD
  
  Assessment toolGuidelines
  
  Effective Utility Management – A Primer for Water and Wastewater Utilities
  
  THE EUM UTILITY LEADERSHIP GROUP 2017
  
  DOWNLOAD
- Proactive Infrastructure Asset Management
  Description
  
  The timely rehabilitation/substitution replacement of pipes and service connections enables the reduction of minimizes the number of unplanned repairs and water loss in the water abstraction system; hence, its energy and GHG emissions. An Proactive Infrastructure Asset Management aims at this.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  Management has to be proactive and not focus on short-term strategies that lead to lower levels of service in the future and higher costs for the user. In addition to risk of pipe failure, the cost-benefit of rehabilitating/replacing pipe versus anticipated savings in energy and reduction in GHG emissions from water loss reduction should be considered.
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  Pipe rehabilitation/replacement reduces leakages resulting in energy and water savings, and GHG emissions reduction.
- SCADA System to control pump operation
  Description
  
  Use of supervisory, control, and data acquisition (SCADA) system for monitoring, supervision and controlling of pumping systems can help minimize energy consumption of GHG emissions. It includes measurements in real time of water levels, pressures, flows, energy consumption and other operational parameters. It also helps to adjust and control the pump station operation, contributing to fight water losses or infiltrations, reduce pumping during energy peak hours and adjust pumping volumes to the needs of the system. The SCADA systems provide utility managers with access to real-time operating data and can help offset the higher operating costs by minimizing unplanned downtime and improving maintenance plans. The SCADA system can also be used to optimize pumping in real-time through advanced pump optimization software and control, or through either a model-based or knowledge-based optimization that is implemented via a rule-based system programmed into the SCADA system. This type of optimization entails the use of algorithms to determine the best pumping scheme for a given situation. This can incorporate the peak energy times previously referenced, but also a prioritization of which pumps or pumping stations are used to maximize efficiency whenever possible. For example, if only a certain volume is demanded, then the SCADA system will first operate the most efficient pumps or pumping stations to meet the demand until greater capacity or more pumps are needed.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  • The initial installation costs can be high • Operational benefits other than energy efficiency are high • Cost-benefit based upon listed benefits
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  • Lower energy consumption and costs • Greater operational reliability and flexibility • Facilitates assessing system performance and reporting • Improved asset management • Reduced GHG emissions • Reduced risks associated to sub-optimal operation
  
  Paid
  
  SCADA: Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition
  
  Stuart A. Boyer 2009
  
  DOWNLOAD
- Use of a supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA)
  Description
  
  A SCADA enables the remote monitoring and control of the whole system, or parts of it, and processes information to generate alarms, reports, graphs or other outputs essential to operation and maintenance. By enabling the remote control of valves and pumps, the SCADA systems allows faster responses in emergency situations, such as fires or pipe bursts. Remote control, gathered with the system’s monitoring, can also lead to a reduction of human resources and travelling needs, especially those related to the operation of electromechanical equipment.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  Proper training of staff to work and use this tool is essential.
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  • Faster responses in emergency situations, such as fires or pipe bursts. • Reduction of human resources and traveling needs, especially those related to the operation of electromechanical equipment.
  
  Paid
  
  SCADA: Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition
  
  Stuart A. Boyer 2009
  
  DOWNLOAD
Implement lighting and HVAC improvements
- Use of a supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA)
  Description
  
  A SCADA enables the remote monitoring and control of the whole system, or parts of it, and processes information to generate alarms, reports, graphs or other outputs essential to operation and maintenance. By enabling the remote control of valves and pumps, the SCADA systems allows faster responses in emergency situations, such as fires or pipe bursts. Remote control, gathered with the system’s monitoring, can also lead to a reduction of human resources and traveling needs, especially those related to the operation of electromechanical equipment.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  Proper training of staff to work and use this tool is essential
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  - Faster responses in emergency situations, such as fires or pipe bursts. - Reduction of human resources and travelling needs, especially those related to the operation of electromechanical equipment.
Pumping efficiency / optimization
- Evaluation of the pump impeller degradation
  Description
  
  An optimal control of the state of the mobile parts inside the pump as impeller can prevent some breakdowns in the pumps, and also a good maintenance of these parts keep the pumping efficiency in high levels.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  • Can help maintain best efficiency points and optimal pump performance. • Can help minimize energy consumption and costs.
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  LiteratureOpen source
  
  Pump cavitation various npshr criteria, nphsa, margins, and impeller life expectancy
  
  Bruno Schiavello, Frank C. Visser 2009
  
  DOWNLOAD
- Replacement of Pumps
  Description
  
  Replacement of old pumps and motors helps to increase the overall efficiency of the pumping systems. New high efficiency electrical motors and pumps are available for any type of application: from chemical pumps to big water centrifugal pumps.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  • Can potentially represent high capital costs. • Financing • Payback period. • Cost-benefit based upon capital costs, increased energy efficiency, and energy savings. • Master planning. • Potential future changes to the system that can affect pumping requirements and performance.
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  • Increase the overall efficiency of the pumping systems. • Reduce energy consumption and costs. • Reduce GHG emissions.
  
  LiteratureOpen source
  
  MONTEIRO, M.A.G.; MONACHESI, M.G. Eficiência energética em sistemas de bombeamento. Rio de Janeiro, Eletrobras; Procel, 2005....
  
  2014
  
  DOWNLOAD
- Automatic pump controller
  Description
  
  Automatic Pump Controllers make it possible to operate a rainwater system without a large pressure tank, pressure switch, and float switch. In the simplest design, the bottom inlet connects to the pump, the top outlet connects to the plumbing system, and the pump is plugged into the controller which is in turn plugged into to an electrical receptacle. When a faucet is opened, the controller senses the drop in line pressure and instantly turns on the pump to re-pressurize the line. If no water is available, the controller shuts down the pump to prevent dry-run damage.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  N/A
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  Simplest design. Save money and energy avoiding the necessity of more complex infrastructure.
- Control pumping rate
  Description
  
  Based upon the system head conditions, pumps may be able to pump at higher rates than needed when operating at 100% motor speed. This flow rate can be controlled by one of two ways, throttling the pump with a valve if the pump is a constant speed pump, or changing the motor speed with a variable speed drive. The former is only energy efficient if the higher flow operating point of the pump without throttling is to the right of the best efficiency point on the pump performance curve, and the throttling results in reducing the flow to a point closer to the best efficiency point on the pump curve. Otherwise, throttling the pump can result in using more energy than at the higher flow, as well as wasting energy because you end up using more energy than is needed. When the demand on the system fluctuates significantly, the pumping rate can be controlled automatically by varying the speed of the motor with a variable frequency drive (VFD), such that the pump output matches only what is needed to meet demands or the intended pumping conditions. The pump’s flow rate then increases or decreases based upon the affinity laws and the controlled speed of the motor. This way lower pumping rates can be achieved, which may result in lower efficiency than those at full motor speed; however, the energy consumption is still lower because the energy requirements to pump lower flows at lower heads are lower.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  • Pump performance curves and best efficiency point in relation to controlled flow rate • Motor types for installing VFDs - only certain motors can be used as variable speed • Costs of VFDs and new motors if necessary can be high • Financing • Cost-benefit based upon capital costs, increased energy efficiency, and energy savings
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  • Less energy consumption • Lower energy costs • Reduced GHG emissions • Better control of pumping
- SCADA System to control pump operation
  Description
  
  Use of supervisory, control, and data acquisition (SCADA) system for monitoring, supervision and controlling of pumping systems can help minimize energy consumption of GHG emissions. It includes measurements in real time of water levels, pressures, flows, energy consumption and other operational parameters. It also helps to adjust and control the pump station operation, contributing to fight water losses or infiltrations, reduce pumping during energy peak hours and adjust pumping volumes to the needs of the system. The SCADA systems provide utility managers with access to real-time operating data and can help offset the higher operating costs by minimizing unplanned downtime and improving maintenance plans. The SCADA system can also be used to optimize pumping in real-time through advanced pump optimization software and control, or through either a model-based or knowledge-based optimization that is implemented via a rule-based system programmed into the SCADA system. This type of optimization entails the use of algorithms to determine the best pumping scheme for a given situation. This can incorporate the peak energy times previously referenced, but also a prioritization of which pumps or pumping stations are used to maximize efficiency whenever possible. For example, if only a certain volume is demanded, then the SCADA system will first operate the most efficient pumps or pumping stations to meet the demand until greater capacity or more pumps are needed.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  • The initial installation costs can be high • Operational benefits other than energy efficiency are high • Cost-benefit based upon listed benefits
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  • Lower energy consumption and costs • Greater operational reliability and flexibility • Facilitates assessing system performance and reporting • Improved asset management • Reduced GHG emissions • Reduced risks associated to sub-optimal operation
- Use of a supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA)
  Description
  
  A SCADA enables the remote monitoring and control of the whole system, or parts of it, and processes information to generate alarms, reports, graphs or other outputs essential to operation and maintenance. By enabling the remote control of valves and pumps, the SCADA systems allows faster responses in emergency situations, such as fires or pipe bursts. Remote control, gathered with the system’s monitoring, can also lead to a reduction of human resources and travelling needs, especially those related to the operation of electromechanical equipment.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  Proper training of staff to work and use this tool is essential.
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  - Faster responses in emergency situations, such as fires or pipe bursts. - Reduction of human resources and traveling needs, especially those related to the operation of electromechanical equipment.
  
  Paid
  
  SCADA: Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition
  
  Stuart A. Boyer 2009
  
  DOWNLOAD
- Variable speed drives for pump speed control and adjustment of pumping head and flow
  Description
  
  Variable speed drives (frequency inverters) to control pumps/ electrical motors speed, allow adjusting the pumping flow and head to the demand treatment and/ or consumption. It makes it possible to adjust the flow depending on the demand hour/ day/ month/ season. Reducing pump/ electric motor speed to operate the pump at its maximum efficiency point results in reducing energy consumption per m3 pumped.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  An automation system is needed for operation. Cost is typically justified for motor powers above 10-15 KW"
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  Lower energy costs. Higher operational flexibility.
  
  Paid
  
  A visual tool to calculate optimal control strategy for non-identical pumps working in parallel, taking motor...
  
  Markus I. Sunela and Raido Puust 2015
  
  DOWNLOAD
  
  GuidelinesOpen source
  
  Energy efficiency: benefits of variable speed control in pumps, fans and compressors
  
  Schneider Electric Industries SAS 2008
  
  DOWNLOAD
  
  GuidelinesOpen source
  
  Variable speed pumping: A guide to successful applications.
  
  U.S. Department of Energy 2004
  
  DOWNLOAD
  
  GuidelinesOpen source
  
  Variable Speed Drive (VSD) for Irrigation Pumping
  
  United States Department of Agriculture 2010
  
  DOWNLOAD
Renewable energy / energy recovery
- Use of solar and wind energy
  Description
  
  Use of solar panel and wind turbines to power pumps and other equipment.
  
  Points to Consider
  
  Technology details, sun direction / angle of panels, wind speeds and patterns, installation costs and financing models (i.e. loans, ESCO, power purchase agreements, etc.).
  Impact Factors
  
  GHG Emissions
  
  Energy Footprint
  
  Water Footprint
  
  Cost Benefit
  Benefits
  
  Can significantly reduce grid energy consumption and related GHG emissions.
  
  LiteratureOpen source
  
  Water desalination technologies utilizing conventional and renewable energy sources
  
  Mahmoud Shatat and Saffa B. Riffat 2012
  
  DOWNLOAD

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