Decarbonising water, ensuring sustainability

A narrowing focus on the bottom line and increasing consumer demand for ‘greener,’ more sustainable practices are the top two factors driving the water and wastewater industry to lighten its environmental impact, finds a new report from Black & Veatch. According to Black & Veatch’s 2021 Strategic Directions: Water Report survey, financial drivers (56 percent) and strong consumer demand (42 percent) are driving water utilities’ sustainability goals, more so than regulatory pressure (36 percent).

Water is not only a precious commodity, it is also an energy-heavy business, requiring large amounts of power – and money – to move, store and manage. With water and wastewater infrastructure aging out, utilities now have the opportunity to replace their graying pipes with newer, more resilient alternatives while also embracing lower-carbon energy solutions that will help move them farther along towards their sustainability goals.

The survey polled more than 200 water sector stakeholders to learn that utilities are prioritising investment in renewable energy, water loss mitigation and new/alternative water supplies as key components when developing and investing in more sustainable infrastructure. Decarbonisation goals – although equally important to long-term resilience and sustainability – came in fourth at 24 percent (Figure 1).

This suggests that while water and wastewater utilities see cleaner sources of energy and protecting their water supplies as critical initiatives, they place less emphasis on overarching decarbonisation targets. But to truly become a more resilient and sustainable industry, utilities will have to embrace low- or zero-carbon energy solutions.

Thanks to recent advances in technologies, there are several methods that utilities can employ to help reduce carbon emissions while also improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Renewable natural gas

One method for decarbonising the wastewater industry lies in capturing biogas produced from wastewater treatment for use in the production of renewable natural gas (RNG). Since the infrastructure for this process is already in place, this strategy has the potential to immediately decarbonise the natural gas grid. The EPA already incentivises the direction of RNGs to vehicle fuel through the Renewable Fuel Standard. Similarly, the California Low-Carbon Fuel Standard provides incentives for vehicle fuel based on its carbon intensity. Moving beyond transportation fuel, it is only a matter of time before renewable portfolio standards for natural gas are put in place to further decarbonize the gas grid.

Have you read?
Water industry challenges amplify the need for resilience and a digital approach

Methane recapture

Water and wastewater treatment plants can also achieve better efficiency, offset purchased energy and possibly even create a new revenue stream through the use of methane in biogas as an energy source. According to Black & Veatch’s report, 61 percent of wastewater utilities are currently leveraging the value of methane produced during treatment in some way (Figure 2).

Of this group, 29 percent make full use, and this includes those respondents who have closed the loop on their energy cycle by investing in RNG production or combined heat and power (CHP) systems. The 32 percent who reported using some of their methane likely burn it to create heat for the anaerobic digestion process that generates biogas.

Refurbishment

Decarbonisation can also be pursued through refurbishment, as old pipes can be upgraded from concrete and steel to recycled materials like ductile iron pipe, which is considered a low-carbon building material. Though only 7 percent of respondents to Black & Veatch’s survey had specific plans to integrate low-carbon materials into their overall sustainability strategy, the survey also found, in a separate question, that a combined 61 percent were willing to consider the use of sustainable construction materials, even if they were higher in cost.

Funding the Future of Water

For most water and wastewater utilities, limited funding has long remained a barrier to new initiatives. But there are innovative options to reduce costs; for example, by choosing to refurbish old infrastructure and equipment – e.g., repairing and retrofitting pipes made from hazardous, leaky, or inefficient materials – rather than building from the ground up.

The American Jobs Plan, the Biden Administration’s proposed infrastructure bill, also offers a potential solution to cost barriers in the U.S. Though the bill has pinballed between the houses of Congress over the last few months, the most recent version includes $111 billion in funding for water. Allocation areas include $56 billion to modernise drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems and $45 billion to replace the lead pipes and service lines.

When Black & Veatch conducted its survey in early 2021, 59 percent of respondents supported including decarbonisation initiatives in the bill, while 41 percent did not. This suggests that, given the depth and breadth of the issues they face today, water utilities may simply have different priorities, such as upgrading old infrastructure.

While the plan can be leveraged for these efforts – modernisation, new piping and water reuse are all components of successful sustainability initiatives – the money could also help the industry move toward decarbonisation if utilities choose to use the funding for low-carbon building materials and processes, modernised infrastructure that boosts energy efficiency, and water recycling and efficiency programs. But this is dependent on this version of the bill passing, which remains to be seen.

Conclusion

With future funding and regulation still uncertain, it can be difficult for water and wastewater utilities to devise long-term decarbonisation plans. But that said, sustainability and decarbonisation will only become more critical as the world continues its march towards a low- or zero-carbon future. The most successful utilities will start planning now, either by starting to consider new technologies around RNG, biogas capture and lower-carbon construction materials or by fully integrating decarbonisation into their modernisation plans. Either way, the water industry is positioned well-positioned to move forward in a more sustainable, cost-effective manner.

About the author

Jay Kemp is a project manager and senior process engineer with Black & Veatch’s water business.

Kemp is experienced in energy-saving wastewater technologies and biogas-to-energy service offerings, including biogas upgrades for vehicle fueling systems.

He supports utility and industry clients by providing a range of energy solutions that help reduce operating costs, generate revenue and gain additional capacity of fixed assets. 

Jason Rowell is an associate vice president and global decarbonization solutions manager with Black & Veatch’s power business.

With more than two decades of experience — including 13 years with Black & Veatch — Rowell directs the development and implementation of industry-leading sustainable decarbonization solutions across multiple industry sectors.

He is a renowned expert in deploying and promoting the adoption of hydrogen technologies at scale and sits on the board of directors with the California Hydrogen Business Council.