Water Utility Operations Research Articles

How low is too low? Partnering with stakeholders and managers to define ecologically based low‐flow thresholds in a perennial temperate river

AbstractManaging aquatic ecosystems for people and nature can be improved by collaboration among scientists, managers, decision‐makers, and other stakeholders. Many collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches have been developed to address the management of freshwater ecosystems; however, there are still barriers to overcome. We worked as part of a regional stakeholder group comprising municipal water utility operators, conservation organizations, academic partners, and other stakeholders to understand the effects of low‐flow and drought on ecological functions of the upper Flint River, Georgia (USA), a free‐flowing river important for municipal water supply, recreation, and native biota. We used published literature and locally targeted studies to identify quantitative flow targets that could be used to inform water management and drought planning. Drawing from principles of Translational Ecology, we relied on an iterative process to develop information needs for the group and maintained communication and engagement throughout data collection, analysis, and synthesis. We identified three quantitative flow benchmarks to evaluate the ecological impacts of drought in the river. The results were valuable to both the water utilities represented in the working group and State regional water planning, which is used to guide water management strategies and permitting for the basin. We identified principles that were important for the successful engagement in the working group and helped to overcome the challenge of working across sectors and without direct authority guiding the implementation of our work. Interdisciplinary work and creative solutions are crucial to plan for and adapt to greater pressure on our water resources.

Economic feasibility of integrating solar energy into water utility operations in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico

We perform an economic feasibility analysis for installing grid-connected solar arrays with batteries to power ten water supply, distribution, and treatment stations in Ciudad Juárez in tandem with the existing local grid. This article covers detailed results from the four stations that represent the topographical and geographical variability of the city and the variable electricity demand across sites. Using data from the city’s water utility and calculations from the HOMER and RETScreen models, we find contrasting results. The HOMER model finds that solar arrays with or without batteries are economically viable while RETScreen reaches the opposite conclusion. One key reason for this is the two models’ differing predictions on the amount of electricity the proposed solar arrays would supply. Further, having reliable battery storage is paramount to overcoming grid outages and the intermittent availability of solar power to ensure the success of solar projects. Global scientific consensus recognizes the need for more renewable energy. With a sunny-climate and its status as a manufacturing hub on the US-Mexico border, Ciudad Juárez has the potential to lead the way forward in promoting solar energy. The comparative results of the HOMER and RETScreen models provide a more complete understanding of the feasibility of solar power for Ciudad Juárez’s water infrastructure as well as vital insight into the factors that shape the success of solar projects.

Digital Technology Offers Opportunities Amid Water Industry Challenges

Given so many headwinds, it's a wonder that US water utility operators get much sleep these days: chronically aging infrastructure, climate change, cyber predators, workforce staffing headaches, a shifting regulatory landscape, budget tightropes, broad public misperceptions about rates and the value of water…the list goes on. Yet for the US water industry, Black & Veatch's survey‐driven 2023 Water Report (www.bv.com/resources/2023-water-report) finds a wealth of opportunity.

Prediction of Daily Water Consumption in Residential Areas Based on Meteorologic Conditions—Applying Gradient Boosting Regression Tree Algorithm

A more accurate way of water consumption forecasting can be used to help people develop a scheduling plan of water workers more targeting; therefore, this paper aims to establish a forecast model of daily water consumption based on meteorological conditions. At present, most studies of daily water consumption forecasts focus on historical data or single water use influencing factors; moreover, daily water consumption could be influenced by meteorologic conditions. The influence of complex meteorology factors on water consumption is analyzed based on a gradient-boosted regression tree (GBRT) model. The correlation of 10 meteorologic factors has been discussed and divided into 5 categories, including temperature factor, pressure factor, precipitation factor, sunshine factor, and wind factor. Through the GBRT algorithm, the daily water consumption of residential area could be predicted with a maximum error of ±8%. The results show that the average ground temperature (the feature importance accounts for 81% of the total) has the greatest impact on the daily water consumption of the residential community, followed by the somatosensory temperature (the feature importance accounts for 7% of the total). The method can provide the daily water consumption of water consumption nodes with higher precision for municipal water supply network model accuracy. It also provides a reference for water utility operation schemes and urban development planning.

Combining chemical, bioanalytical and predictive tools to assess persistence, seasonality, and sporadic releases of organic micropollutants within the urban water cycle

Using a novel liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method with large volume direct injection and quantitation via isotope dilution, we evaluated the presence of 55 organic micropollutants in wastewater effluents, and locations within the Bow River and Elbow River watersheds in and around the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In addition to establishing baseline micropollutant data for water utility operations, our study aimed to enhance our understanding of micropollutant behavior in the urban water cycle, assess the contributions of three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to downstream receiving waters, explain the potential causes of total estrogenicity measured using the yeast-estrogen screen assay (YES), and prioritize a subset of substances for continuous monitoring. With data spanning 48 months and 95 river km, our results indicate the extensive persistence of metformin (antidiabetic), seasonality of N,N‑diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET, insect repellant), O-desmethylvenlafaxine (antidepressant metabolite), and sulfamethoxazole (antibiotic) in source waters, and sporadic detections of a well-known perfluoroalkyl substance (PFOA). The seasonality of pharmaceuticals at the sentinel downstream monitoring site appeared to coincide with river dilution while that of DEET was likely attributable to peak usage during the warmer months. Steroidal estrogens were rarely detected in wastewater effluents although total estrogenicity via YES was evident, suggesting the presence of less potent but more abundant non-steroidal estrogens (e.g., flame retardants, bisphenols, and phthalates). A conservative mass balance analysis suggests that the largest WWTP (serving a population of >1 million) consistently contributed the highest load of micropollutants, with the exception of metformin, which appeared to be influenced by a smaller WWTP (serving 115,000) that operates a different activated sludge process. We consider metformin, sucralose, diclofenac, and venlafaxine as more effective conservative tracers of wastewater pollution due to their notably higher concentrations and persistence in the Bow River compared to carbamazepine and caffeine, respectively. Finally, hierarchical clustering revealed a close association between E. coli and caffeine, supporting the use of caffeine as an indicator of short-term, untreated anthropogenic inputs. Overall, this study yields valuable insights on the presence, behavior, and sources of organic micropollutants in the urban water cycle and identifies indicators of anthropogenic impacts that are useful for prioritizing future monitoring campaigns in Calgary and elsewhere.

Is Your Utility Ready for the Industrial Internet of Things?

A fast‐growing segment of automation, the Industrial Internet of Things can transform water utility operations, but it requires wise deployment, planning, and security infrastructure.

Climate services for water utilities: Lessons learnt from the case of the urban water supply to Valencia, Spain

Climate change projections in many regions of the world show a critical reduction in precipitation and a significant rise in temperatures in the next decades. This change may affect the operation of water utilities in arid and semi-arid parts of the globe. The Mediterranean region is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change on water resources. In this paper, we reflect on the challenges that the water utility sector may experience during the upcoming decades to continue providing its essential service under the new climate scenario. Our reasoning is based on the lessons learned during the co-creation of a climate service with the water utility company of Valencia (Spain) within the framework of the EU ERA4CS project INNOVA. The joint vision of climate, water management researchers and water utility operators resulted in a multi-scale framework for evaluating the vulnerability of the water utility to climate change. The modelling framework couples water quantity and quality and their interaction in a chain of models. The proposed framework forced all parties to consider the issue of the temporal and spatial scales, and the importance of choosing and defining the boundaries of the problem. The analytical framework has three distinct elements: (1) a combination of climate projections; (2) hydrological and water resource management model of the river basin system; (3) reservoir management and water quality model. Two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 were considered in two timeframes for the analysis: the short term (2020–2040) and the medium term (2041–2069). The results show a significant reduction in water availability combined with an increased frequency and intensity of phytoplankton blooms and anoxia episodes. These changes result in the deterioration of the reservoir trophic state, shifting from ultraoligotrophic-oligotrophic (control period) to oligotrophic-mesotrophic (RCP 8.5). The example shows how the combination of models on different scales and the involvement of experts in the co-creation process can result in a customized climate service that provides valuable information to water utility operators that can be used to reduce the system’s vulnerability to climate change.

Assessment of the Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic Stay-at-Home Measures on Potable Water Consumption Patterns, Location, and Financial Impacts for Water Utilities in Colombian Cities

Several studies suggest that social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the water sector, specifically regarding its demand and supply. Given the importance of hygiene practices, this effect is heightened by the role that potable water availability has in tackling the spread of the virus. This study aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on the water consumption patterns and location in four Colombian cities known for their important commercial, industrial, academic, and touristic features. Results exhibit diverse diminishing water consumption trends alongside COVID-19 because of different attributes of the cities (e.g., size, environmental, socioeconomic, and sociocultural characteristics). For instance, the touristic case study has been the most affected because of travel restrictions, with an average commercial demand drop of 32%. In contrast, industrial case studies have had a rapid recovery in water demand, with average industrial drops of 11–14% compared to 20–25% in non-industrial cities. These water demand changes do not affect only the operation of water utilities, but also their finances. Economic losses were estimated at 3.7%, 2.4%, and 6.4% of the expected incomes for the first 14 months of the pandemic for the case studies in this paper. Under a changing environment, understanding these changes and challenges is fundamental for ensuring that water systems are resilient in any unexpected situation.

Use Color and Appearance to Identify Common Water Quality Issues

Resolving customer water quality complaints is an important aspect of water utility operations. Fortunately, many common complaints can indicate the probable cause and the appropriate solution.

Assessment of Urban Water-Energy Interactions and Heat Island Signatures in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest and the second-most densely populated state in the USA. It is also one of the most severely affected states on the Eastern Seaboard due to Climate Change. While Rhode Island residents pay some of the highest energy prices in the country, its less resourceful suburban residents around the capital city, Providence, are exposed to harmful heat island effects during the summer months. As water and wastewater utility operators are often the largest energy consumers in American municipalities, water, and energy consumption exhibit directly evident connections in urban environments. In this study, we employ an Urban-Water-Energy (UWE)-Nexus approach to understand water and energy demand and their interactions in both space and time for Rhode Island; we quantify the extent and exposure of the Urban Heat Island effects among its towns and urban populations using high-resolution details.

Don't Let Chemicals Get You!

Water utility operators and laboratory staff often are exposed to chemicals that can cause severe harm or even death. Many chemicals are extremely toxic, and even small quantities of them can be lethal.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Water Utility Operations and Vulnerability

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the operation of water utilities across the world. In the context of utilities, new protocols were needed to ensure that employees can work safely, and that water service is not interrupted. This study reports on how the operations of 27 water utilities worldwide were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews were conducted between June and October 2020; respondents represent utilities that varied in population size, location, and customer composition (e.g., residential, industrial, commercial, institutional, and university customers). Survey questions focused on the effects of the pandemic on water system operation, demand, revenues, system vulnerabilities, and the use and development of emergency response plans (ERPs). Responses indicate that significant changes in water system operations were implemented to ensure that water utility employees could continue working while maintaining safe social distancing or alternatively working from home. A total of 23 of 27 utilities reported small changes in demand volumes and patterns, which can lead to some changes in water infrastructure operations and water quality. Utilities experienced a range of impacts on finances, where most utilities discussed small decreases in revenues, with a few reporting more drastic impacts. The pandemic revealed new system vulnerabilities, including supply chain management, capacity of staff to perform certain functions remotely, and finances. Some utilities applied existing guidance developed through ERPs with slight modifications, other utilities developed new ERPs to specifically address unique conditions induced by the pandemic, and a few utilities did not use or reference their existing ERPs to change operations. Many utilities suggested that lessons learned would be used in future ERPs, such as personnel training on pandemic risk management or annual mock exercises for preparing employees to better respond to emergencies.

Water Quality Modeling in Distribution Systems

Key TakeawaysWater quality modeling is an effective way for utilities to anticipate changes in a water distribution system and make necessary treatment modifications.Different types of modeling have different characteristics, uses, limitations, and advantages.Advanced water quality models are powerful and versatile enough that they can be applied to other areas of water utility operation.

Exergy Evaluation of a Water Distribution System

The water supply system is one of the most important elements in a city. Currently, many cities struggle with a water deficit problem. Water is a commonly available resource and constitutes the majority of land cover; however, its quality, in many cases, makes it impossible to use as drinking water. To treat and distribute water, it is necessary to supply a certain amount of energy to the system. An important goal of water utility operators is to assess the energy efficiency of the processes and components. Energy assessments are usually limited to the calculation of energy dissipation (sometimes called “energy loss”). From a physical point of view, the formulation of “energy loss” is incorrect; energy in water transport systems is not consumed but only transformed (dissipated) into other, less usable forms. In the water supply process, the quality of energy—exergy (ability to convert into another form)—is consumed; hence, a new evaluation approach is needed. The motivation for this study was the fact that there are no tools for exergy evaluation of water distribution systems. A model of the exergy balances for a water distribution system was proposed, which was tested for the selected case studies of a water supply system and a water treatment station. The tool developed allows us to identify the places with the highest exergy destructions. In the analysed case studies, the highest exergy destruction results from excess pressure (3939 kWh in a water supply system and 1082 kWh in a water treatment plant). The exergy analysis is more accurate for assessing the system compared to the commonly used energy-based methods. The result can be used for assessing and planning water supply system modernisation.

Evaluating risk allocation and project impacts of sustainability-oriented water public–private partnerships in Southern California: A comparative case analysis

For the last 30 years, California has struggled to manage its water effectively due to demographic pressure, declining financial and technical support at the state and federal level, climatic stress, and outdated water management systems. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) may be uniquely positioned address these challenges through the private partner’s ability to mobilize resources, provide technical expertise, and share project risks. Yet, studies suggest that the private partner’s goal of maximizing revenue can reduce the quality of service provision and can marginalize low income populations. This paper clarifies the role of the private sector in bolstering sustainability and resilience by examining 1) the distribution of risks between public and private partners and 2) the economic, political, environmental, and social impacts of these partnership arrangements. This exploratory qualitative study utilizes interviews, observations, shadowing, and document analysis to compare 10 public–private partnerships in Southern California. This study evaluates PPP projects across the three dimensions of sustainability, paying careful attention to distributional impacts and feedbacks between environmental and human systems. The findings suggest that when carefully managed, PPPs can result in environmentally beneficial projects that diversify local water resources and improve efficiency of water utility operations. However, sustainability-oriented PPPs face a tension between profitability and public welfare due to the divergent goals of public and private partners. A complex permitting process and evolving regulations exacerbate this tradeoff through cost overruns and project delays. Risks to the public partner and ratepayers can be reduced through mutual agreement of project goals and benefits, robust contract structure, and the inclusion of end-users and affected stakeholders in project design and implementation.

Preparing for outbreaks – Implications for resilient water utility operations and services

Recent outbreaks have constantly disrupted our global economy and public health in numerous ways, impacting efficiency and prosperity across all sectors. This article focuses on the impacts of outbreaks (epidemics and pandemics) on water - wastewater utilities and water infrastructure and critically evaluates the issues underlining their impact on economic development and highlights the need for preparedness. A perspective on water infrastructure and industry-related impact on our society and economic development in the wake of the pandemic, COVID-19, is presented. Methods that could potentially institute safe, reliable, and efficient procedures for better preparedness and rapid recovery have been explored at length. The purpose of this article is therefore threefold: 1) to discuss the economic and public health impact of outbreaks on water and wastewater utilities and utility workforce; 2) to present case studies demonstrating utilities' preparedness and response to COVID-19, and 3) to review various alternatives for education and training as well as innovative processes and strategies for productivity during and after outbreaks. Strategies discussed in this article could be used as valuable tools for developing resiliency efforts, especially from the context of continuing water and wastewater utility operations and services in emergencies.

Implications of SARS-CoV-2 on current and future operation and management of wastewater systems.

While researchers have acknowledged the potential role of environmental scientists, engineers, and industrial hygienists during this pandemic, the role of the water utility professional is often overlooked. The wastewater sector is critical to public health protection and employs collection and treatment system workers who perform tasks with high potential for exposures to biological agents. While various technical guidances and reports have initially provided direction to the water sector, the rapidly growing body of research publications necessitates the constant review of these papers and data synthesis. This paper presents the latest findings and highlights their implications from a water and wastewater utility operation and management perspective. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Extrapolation from SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV, as well as other surrogates, has helped predicting SARS-CoV-2 behavior and risk management. Data from treated wastewater effluent suggest that current processes are sufficient for SARS-CoV-2 control. Scientific evidence supports thepossibilityof fecal-oral transmission for SARS-CoV-2. Limited evidence supports the potential survival of infective SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces and in aerosols and the efficacy of control measures at reducing transmission. Protective practices and PPE can protect workers from SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens found in wastewater.

Identify Alternatives to Improve Utility Performance

Key TakeawaysPeriodic critical reviews are valuable to all aspects of water utility operations to identify top needs such as reducing risk, complying with regulations, and recruiting and retaining staff.Utilities must be prepared for future challenges and can benefit by evaluating alternative solutions.Communication across all business levels and locations is essential for a water utility's success.

COVID-19 and Unsafe Water: A Tale of Two Enemies

Environmental Engineering ScienceVol. 37, No. 6 Opinion PieceCOVID-19 and Unsafe Water: A Tale of Two EnemiesArup K. SenGuptaArup K. SenGupta*Corresponding author: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015-3027, USA. Phone: 610-758-3534; Fax: 610-758-6405; E-mail Address: arup.sengupta@lehigh.eduDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA.†Member of AEESP.Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:4 Jun 2020https://doi.org/10.1089/ees.2020.0198AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail View article"COVID-19 and Unsafe Water: A Tale of Two Enemies." Environmental Engineering Science, 37(6), pp. 393–394FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byPreparing for outbreaks – Implications for resilient water utility operations and servicesSustainable Cities and Society, Vol. 64 Volume 37Issue 6Jun 2020 InformationCopyright 2020, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishersTo cite this article:Arup K. SenGupta.COVID-19 and Unsafe Water: A Tale of Two Enemies.Environmental Engineering Science.Jun 2020.393-394.http://doi.org/10.1089/ees.2020.0198Published in Volume: 37 Issue 6: June 4, 2020Online Ahead of Print:May 25, 2020PDF download

Performance Assessment Using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Water Utilities: A Primer

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are widely recognized as a basis for evaluating water utility operations in developing countries and for designing both regulatory and managerial incentives that improve performance. A number of methodolgies can be used for assessing performance, with KPIs and overall performance indicators serving as more comprehensible and potentially more comprehensive than more technical empirical benchmarking studies. Data initiatives in low and middle income countries require resources that could be used for other activities with more immediate payoffs. However, regulatory oversight requires data analysis of trends, current performance, and realistic targets. Quantitative studies can provide clues regarding the extent of economies of scale, scope, and density, but policy-makers need much more detail and specificity than most scholars provide. Here, the focus is on information systems that provide accurate, reliable, and relevant data. KPIs represent the foundation for those developing, implementing, and responding to public policy — incentivizing water utilities in developing (and developed) countries to contain costs, improve service quality, and expand water access over the long run.