New report on risks, benefits of energy management for water utilities

DENVER, CO, Feb. 20, 2008 -- Awwa Research Foundation (AwwaRF), the leading nonprofit water research foundation dedicated to advancing the science of drinking water, today announced the publication of a new report on a comprehensive risk management framework to assist water utilities in developing effective energy management strategies. The framework encompasses environmental, social, and economic outcomes.

Water utilities are increasingly active in managing the energy used to treat and deliver drinking water, compelled by increasing energy costs as well as growing awareness of the impact of energy use on their communities and the environment.

AwwaRF sponsored the study on which this report is based in collaboration with the California Energy Commission to provide water utilities with systematic approaches to effectively manage energy consumption while avoiding unintended consequences to public health and safety or the reliability of their systems.

"The risk management framework provided in this report serves as a comprehensive guide for utilities making operating changes in response to energy-reduction imperatives," said Robert C. Renner, executive director of AwwaRF. "It will help water suppliers evaluate any potential downside to new energy-management strategies that may impact their system or their environmental and financial goals."

The risk management framework is applicable both to utilities already engaged in comprehensive energy optimization and to utilities that are focusing first on basic approaches and building an energy-management program as they progress.

The report, Risks and Benefits of Energy Management for Drinking Water Utilities (order #91200), is currently available to subscribers of AwwaRF. The report will become available publicly later this year. To learn more about AwwaRF and its research, please go to www.AwwaRF.org.

The Awwa Research Foundation (AwwaRF) is a member-supported, international, nonprofit organization that sponsors research to enable water utilities, public health agencies, and other professionals to provide safe and affordable drinking water to consumers.

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