December 8, 2010                                                                                         

WaterOne Highly Committed to Energy Savings and Green Initiatives

• WaterOne uses energy savings software (Derceto) in our treatment processes that has saved us more than $1 million.

• We have Peak Management Rates in place and under these rates, those who use water at a pace that creates the greatest demands, or peaks on the system, pay a higher rate on that usage to help defray the future costs of expansion.

• We use equipment that helps to optimize operational processes related to river flows and treatment.

• At our new Wolcott Treatment Plant we utilize special membration filtration that provides physical barriers to contaminants.

• Aerators are in place to reduce chemical usage and results in savings of up to $1 million per year.

• In power savings, we have hydraulic modeling being used to select the most efficient combination of pumping units to meet customer water demands.

• We use “pipe bursting” equipment to minimize excavation of streets and driveways which saves fuel, eliminates carbon emissions, and saves WaterOne 30% in clean-up costs.

• WaterOne recently purchased an eco-friendly, fuel-efficient mobile analyzer van that allows its Analyzer Team to maintain more than 250 analyzers in 20 + locations throughout WaterOne’s service area. The benefits include less wasteful trips from the analyzer locations to the laboratory, optimizing staff time; reducing vehicle wear, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions; and ensuring timely chemical optimization and enhanced security. 

• WaterOne has an aggressive in-house recycling plan in place as part of its Strategic Planning goal towards sustainability. The utility has a Green Committee that helps implement these goals and a Green Newsletter to keep employees informed.  The utility has reduced its use of non-recyclable products and switched to products that are biodegradable. WaterOne recycles batteries, oil, metal, scrap meters, copy paper, paper and cardboard.

• Low-maintenance, water saving Fescue and Buffalo Grass were planted on the grounds of WaterOne’s new Wolcott Treatment Plant.

• WaterOne recently won a Green Business Recognition Award from Johnson County Environmental Department for its firm commitment to green initiatives. Article in the Sun Newspaper found here . Press release found here.

As part of its Strategic Plan, WaterOne will continue to identify ways to reduce energy and fuels costs; investigate alternative methods of performing activities to minimize the environmental impact; consider use of materials that are environmentally friendly when cost effective and develop programs to reduce, recycle and reuse material where feasible.

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