United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
RESEARCH PROJECT
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
Water Supply and Water Resources Division
Water Quality Management Branch
ADVANCED DECENTRALIZED WATER/ENERGY NETWORK DESIGN FOR
SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE
IMPACT STATEMENT
In order to provide a water infrastructure that is more
sustainable into and beyond the 21st century, drinking
water distribution systems and wastewater collection
systems must account for our diminishing water supply,
increasing demands, climate change, energy cost and
availability. Water efficiency must be equally addressed with energy efficiency going far beyond simply adding low flow
toilets and faucets in new buildings and retro-fits. Thus, it is the goal of this research project is to address these water-
related issues as they relate to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) mission to safeguard human health and
the environment.
BACKGROUND:
Aging and deteriorating water infrastructure is a priority issue for EPA. Over the last several years, energy consumption
by the water and wastewater sector has considerably increased as a result of the implementation of new technologies
and approaches to safeguard water quality and to meet new regulations. Also, the price of energy has substantially
increased in the same period. It is imperative that optimization of energy use, more efficient equipment and treatment
technologies, energy recovery, and even energy production must become a part of the services and activities being
undertaken by drinking water and wastewater utilities.
DESCRIPTION:
The Office of Research and Development's (ORD) National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) has funded
this research project in support of its Aging Water Infrastructure (AWI) Research Program. The objective of this research
effort is to produce, evaluate, and summarize the cost, performance, and long-term reliability of coupling energy and
water conservation technologies, modeling capabilities, and decision-support tools to reduce and optimize energy
consumption in the treatment, conveyance, and use of water while utilizing water in the most efficient manner possible
and in turn, increasing water supplies by virtue of reusing wastewater, stormwater, and preventing excess runoff.
This project will provide financial assistance to a recipient organization to evaluate innovative water and energy design
and application of the design using advanced Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. This
project seeks to develop a total water management approach by incorporating water efficiency into "green" certification
programs such as LEED. In order to provide a water infrastructure that is more sustainable into and beyond the 21st
century, drinking water distribution systems and wastewater collection systems must account for our diminishing water
supply, increasing demands, climate change, energy cost and availability. Water efficiency must be equally addressed
with energy efficiency going far beyond simply adding low flow toilets and faucets in new buildings and retro-fits.
Therefore, it is the goal of this project is to provide detailed cost-benefit analysis of LEED and sustainable design
elements in terms of a detailed analysis of both water and energy systems utilizing Low Impact Development and
conduct post-occupancy monitoring of building comfort, cost, energy, CO2 emission impact, and water conservation.
This project will focus on the methods and the capability of new construction to achieve water and energy
independence in a sustainable approach. This project should result in the ability to evaluate the impacts of water
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
Water Supply and Water Resources Division
-------
conservation and integration into LEED ratings also making recommendations for future rating criteria fully considering
sustainable water activities when compared to traditional building designs in similar settings. Although this project
should take place in a temperate region with variable precipitation and temperature, it should also result in
recommendations for various other eco-regions within the United States. Recommendations should also include
guidance on how existing built environments (brownfields) in various eco-regions can be retro-fitted or rehabilitated
cost-effectively.
Thus, it is the goal of this research project is to address these water-related issues as they relate to EPA's mission to
safeguard human health and the environment. This project will focus on the methods and the capability of new
construction to achieve water and energy independence in a sustainable approach. As part of the AWI Research
Program, this research project, not only supports EPA's Office of Water's Sustainable Water Infrastructure Initiative, but
also must fulfill its responsibilities toward the Global Climate Change, Water Quality, and Drinking Water Program
Offices.
EPA GOAL: Goal #2 - Clean & Safe Water; Objective 2.1.1- Water Safe to Drink
ORD MULTI YEAR PLAN: Drinking Water (DW), Long Term Goal (LTG) - DW-1 characterize risks associated with DW sources,
distribution, treatment, and use; Water Quality (WQ) LTG - WQ-3 Source Control
AWARDEE: University of Nebraska at Lincoln
EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS:
Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature, but must be quantitative.
Projects to be funded under this announcement are expected to contribute to the attainment of the desired primary
outcome of this program, which is to assist the user community, such as water utilities, to more effectively meet their
Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act requirements and conserve energy in the production of drinking water,
wastewater, improve water efficiency, reduce the carbon footprint of the water industry, and improve water
infrastructure sustainability. This desired outcome will be achieved by providing the user community with technical
data, guidance, and decision support tools that will improve their capability to identify, select, and implement
appropriate innovative approaches for optimizing energy and water resources.
OUTPUTS:
The outputs of this project will assist users to more effectively meet Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act
requirements. This agreement is expected to result in technical guidance documents, published research papers, and
other technical reference material.
RESOURCES:
Aging Water Infrastructure Research Program: http://www.epa.gov/awi/
CONTACTS:
Jill Neal, Project Officer - (513) 513-7277 or neal.jill@epa.gov
Steven Doub, Media Relations - (513) 569-7503 or doub.steven@epa.gov
Michelle Latham, Communications - (513) 569-7601 or latham.michelle@epa.gov
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
Water Supply and Water Resources Division
www.epa.gov/nrmrl
EPA/600/F-09/016
October 2009
------- |