A recent survey of more than 100 utilities by water technology company Xylem showed that 75 percent of utilities have set greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals that they plan to achieve by 2040 or earlier, with 48 percent having set a specific net-zero emissions target. As highlighted in Xylem's new paper, Net Zero: Utilities Setting the Pace on Decarbonisation, these targets reflect growing momentum across the water sector in the fight against climate change.
Water and wastewater utilities are often the largest power users in cities and can generate powerful methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Leading utilities are deploying replicable approaches that any community can use to cut emissions from their water systems and make their communities more water secure. Xylem’s research shows how these experiences can serve as a framework for achieving rapid and lasting emissions reductions across the sector:
Prioritise energy efficiency for quick wins: Pumping, treatment, and distribution processes consume large amounts of electricity. Energy-efficient technologies can deliver immediate decarbonisation results across the sector. For example, Scottish Water has deployed high-efficiency smart pumping systems that cut energy consumption by 40 percent and reduce unplanned maintenance costs by 99 percent.
Combine net zero and climate adaptation efforts: By uniting greenhouse gas reduction and resilience strategies, utilities can fast-track decarbonisation and adaptation. In Santiago, Chile, Aguas Andinas is turning wastewater into renewable energy through anaerobic digestion. By converting organic waste into biogas, the utility generates energy onsite to cut emissions, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and enhance energy security for critical water treatment processes. These measures, combined with purchasing renewable energy and finding efficiencies, have enabled the utility to reduce GHG emissions by 25 percent.
Manage emissions across all operational processes: Utilities are adopting an end-to-end approach, addressing emissions across all operational processes, from energy generation to wastewater treatment. After reaching net energy neutrality in 2023 with renewable sources such as solar and hydropower, Ruhrverband of Essen, Germany, is deploying advanced sensors to monitor and address nitrous oxide emissions and leveraging artificial intelligence to identify further emission reduction opportunities.
The research highlights how water utilities are adopting cutting-edge solutions – from smart pumping systems to digital monitoring tools – to reduce emissions, optimize performance, and extend the life of critical assets. It shows that utilities have a wide variety of tools to help them reach net-zero targets faster and more efficiently.
“By deploying advanced technologies, we can make our assets work harder and smarter” said Nathan Wield, Wastewater Operations West Manager for Scottish Water. “Not only does this improve efficiency, but it also prolongs the life of our equipment, reduces service disruptions, and improves our overall environmental impact.”
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