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Energy in the industry / Energy consumption by water and wastewater industry / Wastewater treatment facilities consume large amounts of energy

Wastewater treatment facilities consume large amounts of energy

Just 10% of energy savings in the wastewater services sector could collectively save about $400 million annually.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “…approximately 56 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) is used for drinking water and wastewater services. Assuming an average mix of energy sources in the country, this equates to adding almost 45 million tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.  Just 10 percent of energy savings in this sector could collectively save about $400 million annually.” (*)

(*) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Energy and Water/Wastewater Infrastructure”, http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/energy/ew-infrastructure.html (accessed February 2010)