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THE VALUE OF RESEARCH IN THE CHANGING UTILITY ENVIRONMENT
Water Research Foundation
Robert Renner, Executive Director
1 © 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this presentation may be copied, reproduced or otherwise utilized without permission.
Water Research FoundationNew Name, Same Mission
Advancing the science of water to improve the quality of life
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.2
Foundation’s Contribution to the Water Community
Practical applications to help utilities optimize operations and ensure customer satisfaction
Early alert and proactive solutions on future issues
Direct, immediate benefits to utility subscribers
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.3
Current Topics of High Interest
Climate change
Distribution system water quality & infrastructure
Endocrine disruptors and pharmaceuticals
Work force issues
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.4
Public Health
Drinking water treatment protects public health– Multiple barriers
Thousands died in the early 20th century in developed countries
Millions still die Water is life You are the guardians of life
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
A Strategic Assessment of the Future of Water Utilities
Top Ten Trends
1. Population
2. Political Environment
3. Financial Constraints
5. Customer Expectations
4. Total Water Management
6. Workforce Issues
8. Energy
7. Technology
9. Increasing Risk
10. Regulations
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Population Growth
World population is growing explosively– About 1 billion in 1830– 6.6 billion today– 9.2 billion by 2050
Population movement– Urban and water short areas
Population demographics– People older than 60 will match less
than 14
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.7
Potential Climate Change Impacts
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Hydrological Impacts of Climate Change
Warming intensifies the hydrologic cycle
Surface temperature increase
Increased water holding capacity
Increased atmospheric moisture
Changing Increased Frequency Intensity
Droughts & Floods
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Climate Change Impacts on Water Utilities
Quantity uncertainties
Increasing unpredictability of precipitationMore difficult to captureIncreased evaporation from reservoirs
Quality degradation
Flooding - Increased erosion/turbidityIncreased water temperaturesChanges in watershed vegetationSalt-water intrusion
DemandIncreased due to higher temperatures
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Technology
Multiple drivers
Impaired/degraded sources
Increased demand
Regulations
Emerging contaminants
Helsinki WTP
Photo: WEDECO AG Water Technology
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Technology Nearly unchanged since 1900 Considered new
– Ozone– UV – Membranes
Cutting edge– Forward osmosis– Monitoring/smart chips– Nanotechnology
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Energy
New technologies require significant energy increase
It takes water to produce energy and energy to produce water
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Energy-Water Nexus
Thermoelectric power requires 136 billion gallons (515 million m3) of water per day in the U.S.– 39 % of freshwater withdrawals– 3.3 billion gallons (12.5 million cubic meters) per day
consumptive use
Coal accounts for 52% of U.S. energy generation– Each kWh from coal requires 3.3 gallons (12.5 l) of water
Consumers use more water turning on the lights than showering and drinking
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Energy Water Nexus
Water/wastewater sector consumes about 3% of US energy
10 % - 35 % of utility’s total operating costs is for energy
50% increase in energy use for water in next 50 yrs
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Finance: Utility Constraints
Cost drivers– Infrastructure– Technology– Regulation
Utility rate base can cover
Requires political will/leadership
Political Environment US is complex NGOs powerful
– Surf rider association Requires high degree of utility GM talent
– Public involvement– Legislative skill– Labor relations
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.17
Paradigm Shift
Old paradigm– Treat water– Pollute water– Use energy
New paradigm - Sustainability– Treat water– Isolate wastes– Reduce energy
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.18
How Does Research Help?
Addresses problem issues
Saves money
Provides credible information on highly visible issues
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.19
March 9, 2008Cleveland $1M Tidal Wave
“We hope that the work we’re doing in project #4035 with the NRC will help us avoid this kind of thing in the future.” Alex Margevicius, Assistant Commissioner
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Fracture Failure of Large Diameter Cast Iron Water Mains #4035
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Who do you want to do this work?
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Risks and Benefits of Energy Management
Peak demand caps & peak shaving: $100K-$200K savings for Newport News RO system
Hydro-generation to sell back to grid: saves 30% of energy costs at Mohawk Valley Water Authority
Energy audit credit with retrofits to improve efficiency: 6-7% increase in efficiency at Des Moines Water Works
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Applied Value Research at Las Vegas Valley Water District
Problem: Identify innovative ways to reduce energy use without compromising water quality
Implemented an Energy and Water Quality Management System (EWQMS)
Obtained $3.3 million in savings in 4 years
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.24
Applied Value Research at Las Vegas Valley Water District
Unexpected benefits: Reduced THMs Enhanced emergency response Improved pressure complaint
resolution Streamlined operational
troubleshooting
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.25
EDC’s - The Problem Defined…
What are they and why are there concerns?
Occurrence – which ones should be measured?
Treatment Process Effectiveness Toxicological Relevance How do you communicate about emerging
contaminants?
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Climate Change Clearinghouse Web site
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Regulation-Oriented Research Benefits
Research provides credible data to standard setting process– Origin and level of contaminants– Level and type of exposure and health risk– Compliance technology performance
Promotes the development and application of new technologies– Contaminant removal or inactivation
– Monitoring and analytic methods
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Benefits of UV Research
The 2003 value of UV-related savings estimated at over $3 billion– Water Research Foundation UV research
investment: ~ $10 million
– Payoff of research: from 100:1 to 300:1
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Summary: Utility world is changing, but research can help:
Save dollars—reduced or avoided cost Solve problems Arm with credible info on highly visible issues Do the “right thing” for water community
– Technical and business practice advances– Cultivating next generation of professionals– Improved public health, customer satisfaction
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.30
Remember:
Wonderful time to be a water professional– Billions of people on the planet– Only thousands providing safe water
Honorable profession Remember your mission
– Protect public health
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.31
Questions
For more information on
Water Research Foundation
Visit
www.waterresearchfoundation.org
Thanks!
© 2009 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.