Drinking water regulations: Estimated cumulative energy use and costs

Abstract

Although the cumulative energy use and costs from the 18 National Primary Drinking Water Regulations is significant, it is much less than the amount of energy typically used for pumping treated water through the distribution system. This study was undertaken to not only determine the cumulative energy use and costs from these regulations, but also to further the understanding of relationships between energy use and utility operation and maintenance costs. As advanced treatment technologies – ozone, ultraviolet light, and membranes, for example – are increasingly incorporated into new plants and plant upgrades, the energy required for these advanced technologies must also be incorporated into their lifecycle evaluation. The information presented in this article will help water utility managers gain a better understanding of how these energy‐intensive advanced treatment technologies will increase operations and maintenance costs in perpetuity. In addition, utility operators will better understand the continual need to optimize their energy use.