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Pollution Prevention
for Public Water Systems

Pollution Prevention
for Businesses

 

Contact DEQ

Regional Office

Water Quality Managers

DEQ's Pollution Prevention Program

Patti Best

(208) 373-0146

Drinking Water:
Energy Conservation Tips for Public Water Systems

 
 Pump Efficiency

Maintain pump efficiency. While it is important to have your pumps operating as efficiently as possible to minimize energy costs, it is equally important to maintain high efficiencies once attained. Changes in the following may indicate a change in efficiency: flow rate, discharge pressure, electrical demand, monthly energy usage, or hours of pump operation.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) has assisted water systems in conducting efficiency evaluations since 1986. Pumps tested range in efficiency from 20% to 70%. Most pumps can achieve efficiencies of 65% to 75%, resulting in cost savings of several thousand to as high as $20,000 annually. Contact IDWR at (208) 327-7900 for information about evaluating your pump efficiency.

 
 At Your Facility
• Develop an energy plan. Include long-term goals for energy conservation, building and equipment maintenance, and regular energy audits.
• Evaluate lighting needs. Remove unnecessary light bulbs, such as those near windows, and in vending machines and other areas with natural or excess lighting.
• Retrofit lighting. Replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent ones. Replace T-12 flourescent bulbs with T-8 bulbs and appropriate ballasts.
• Install timers on lights.
• Purchase energy-efficient equipment, such as copiers, fax machines and computers that power down when not in use.
•

Evaluate heating and cooling systems. Install adjustable thermostats to regulate heating and cooling systems. For optimal energy savings, set thermostats at 78°F for cooling in the summer and 68°F for heating in the winter.

• Add trees or a berm around buildings to provide shade in the summer and protection against wind in the winter, thereby lowering heating and cooling costs and saving money.
• Contact your local utility to request a free energy audit of your buildings and obtain solutions to conserve energy.
 
 For More Information
Idaho Department of Water Resources, Energy Division
U.S. EPA's EnergyStar Program
U.S. EPA's EnviroSense Program
EnergyIdeas
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network



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