AWWA JAW48104

This article discusses the energy costs involved in the operation and maintenance of a water utility. To investigate energy saving opportunities, an energy survey of the largest investor-owned water utility in the United States, the American Water System (AWS), was conducted. Energy audits were performed at three representative AWS water supply systems. To estimate systemwide energy savings, recommended energy conservation measures from the three energy audits were extrapolated using information from the systemwide survey. The extrapolation procedures for each energy conservation measure category are described along with results from the three audits. The systemwide potential energy savings and the estimated capital costs to achieve them are also shown. Erratum -- In this article the photographs on pages 42 and 45 were incorrectly placed. The photograph on page 42 shows dual pump drives; the one on page 45 shows variable-frequency drives. Includes 7 references, tables.