Improving system efficiency while reducing risks and costs

Consuming up to 35% of the energy used by municipalities, water supply and wastewater treatment systems are among the most energy-intensive facilities owned and operated by local governments . Water agencies are increasingly challenged to manage their facilities and resources as efficiently as possible. Confounding this goal is managing the risks of rapidly changing regulatory demands, aging infrastructure needs, and other planning uncertainties. Rising construction costs are also a growing concern to many utilities. It is essential for planning purposes to understand the sensitivity of systems to changing costs, such as energy costs. Typically, these uncertainties are addressed by incorporating redundancy and conservatism in the planning and design of new facilities, which increases cost. Instead, the best solution is to reduce risks through increased knowledge and forecasting capabilities.