EPA Trends for wastewater Treatment in California

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1 EPA S TECHNOLOGY NEEDS FOR THE WATER AND WASTEWATER INDUSTRY Nancy Stoner Acting Assistant Administrator U.S. EPA Office of Water International Emerging Technology Symposium Arlington, VA April 23rd, 2014

2 THE STATE OF OUR WATER RESOURCES The nation s water resources are limited and face mounting pressures Drought Flooding Pollution Population growth Aging infrastructure Competition for uses (e.g., ecosystem protection, agriculture, drinking water, energy production, recreation) Climate Change 2

3 WATER TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION What is Water Technology Innovation? Development and deployment of new technologies New applications of existing technologies Process changes about how we view water cultural appreciation for the resource we need for survival An example is some wastewater utilities are no longer referring to themselves with the name wastewater - they are referring to themselves as Water Resource Recovery Facilities Water Technology Innovation Blueprint Version 2 Frames the business case for water technology innovation Highlights examples of innovation pioneers Identifies specific EPA actions to promote innovation Available at: 3

4 TOOLS TO ASSESS WATER SUPPLY RISK AND VULNERABILITY Tool Sponsoring Agency Description CREAT, Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool Global Water Tool EPA World Business Council for Sustainable Development Organizes available climate data and guides users through a process of identifying threats, vulnerable assets and adaptation options to reduce risk Designed for companies and organizations to map their water use and then assess risks relative to their global operations and supply chains Aqua Gauge Ceres A way for companies to assess, improve and communicate their corporate-wide water risk management approach Watersketch Toolbox Finnish Environment Institute Offers information and practical tools and methods for sustainable river basin planning and management Local Water Tool GEMI Intended for companies and organizations to evaluate the external impacts, business risks, opportunities and management plans related to water use and discharge at a specific site or operation Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas Sea Level Rise Tool for Sandy Recovery World Resources Institute NOAA Intended for companies, investors, governments and communities to better understand where and how water risks are emerging around the world Provides a set of map services to help communities, residents, and other stakeholders consider risks from future sea level rise in planning for reconstruction following Hurricane Sandy 4

5 OPPORTUNITIES FOR WATER TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION 1. Conserving and Recovering Energy 2. Recovering Nutrients 3. Improving and Greening of the Water Infrastructure 4. Conserving and Eventually Reusing Water 5. Reducing Costs and Improving Techniques for Water Monitoring 6. Improving Performance of Small Drinking Water Systems 7. Reducing Impacts from Energy Production 8. Improving Resiliency of Water Infrastructure to the Impacts of Climate Change 9. Improving Access to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation 10. Improving Water Quality of Our Oceans, Estuaries and Watersheds 5

6 1. CONSERVING AND RECOVERING ENERGY Challenge 150,000 drinking water and 15,000 wastewater treatment plants consume 2-4% of the nation s electricity per year Consumption costs United States $4 billion per year Need New technologies to conserve and produce energy Innovative Technology in Action East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland, CA became the first water resource recovery facility in North America to produce more renewable energy on site than needed to run the facility Aspirational Goal Imagine a future when water, wastewater and agricultural activities can cost-effectively generate as much energy as they consume! 6

7 2. RECOVERING NUTRIENTS Challenge Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution are the leading causes of water pollution across the nation 14,000 water bodies are affected by nutrient pollution Need More cost- and energy-efficient nutrient reduction and recovery technologies Innovative Technology in Action Hampton Roads Sanitation District in Virginia Beach, VA is recovering phosphorus and nitrogen to create a fertilizer turning waste into a profitable resource! Aspirational Goal Imagine if we could recover nutrients from human and animal wastes and convert them into marketable commodities before they impact surface and ground water! 7

8 3. IMPROVING AND GREENING OF THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE Challenge Rehabilitation of water and sewer infrastructure estimated to cost over $682 billion dollars Need Green/natural infrastructure as not only building or rebuilding infrastructure but rebuilding habitat biodiversity, less heat stress, improved air quality, and aesthetic value Innovative Technology in Action The 25 year Green City, Clean Waters project in Philadelphia, PA is redefining green infrastructure to not only combating storm water runoff, but improve other aspects of the city like biodiversity, air pollution and improving the cites aesthetics. Aspirational Goal Imagine if we could expand the use of green and natural infrastructure to improve the nations water infrastructure while achieving broad array of environmental, social, and economic benefits! 8

9 4. CONSERVING AND EVENTUALLY REUSING WATER Challenge Nation s 15,000 municipal wastewater facilities discharge approximately 32 billion gallons of water every day U.S. reuses an estimated 5% of our water Israel reuses an estimated 70% of their water Singapore reuses an estimated 90% of their water Need More sustainable and cost-effective technologies for water reuse Innovative Technology in Action The Orange County Water District in California recycles treated wastewater to produce 70 million gallons of water per day. Providing clean water to about 600,000 residents! Aspirational Goal Imagine if we could increase water reuse to support the water needs of our burgeoning population! 9

10 5. REDUCING COSTS AND IMPROVING TECHNIQUES FOR WATER MONITORING Challenge Less than 30% of nation s surface waters have been assessed Need Newer monitoring technologies such as improved water quality sensor technology, remote sensing and satellite imagery to generate substantially more data at lower costs Culture change for organizations to share more data with one another Innovative Technology in Action The River and Estuary Observatory Network deploys real time monitoring systems that collect data on the Hudson River Aspirational Goal Imagine collaborative monitoring efforts that provide low-cost, watershed-scale, real-time data on water quality and quantity that facilitate protection and wise use of our water resources! 10

11 6. IMPROVING PERFORMANCE OF SMALL DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS Challenge In 2011, EPA identified a total infrastructure need of $64.5 billion to repair small drinking water systems throughout the country Small systems face technical, managerial & financial issues Need New cost-effective and affordable technologies to improve small system technical capacity Aspirational Goal Imagine the deployment of new cost-effective and affordable technologies that substantially improve the technical and financial capacity of small drinking water systems! 11

12 7. REDUCING IMPACTS FORM ENERGY PRODUCTION Challenge: Vast amounts of water are used for U.S. energy production New oil and gas extraction involves significant water consumption and treatment/disposal of produced waters Need New/improved technologies to treat energy production waters New technologies/techniques for beneficial reuse Use and/or generation of reclaimed water Innovative Technology In Action In New Jersey, the Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority treats 11 million gallons per day and uses 4 million gallons to cool a nearby power plant reaching a 100% reuse process Aspirational Goal Imagine the United States continuing its journey toward securing energy independence without threats to surface or ground water quality and quantity! 12

13 8. IMPROVING RESILIENCY OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE Challenge Extreme weather events predicted to increase with climate change Super Storm Sandy in 2012 affected 60 million people and caused $50 billion in damage; storm affected 690+ water and wastewater utilities Drinking water and wastewater services are a critical lifeline sector Need Increased preparedness and resiliency to extreme weather events Innovative Technology in Action Hurricane Ivan destroyed the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority in Escambia County, FL. The wastewater treatment plant was relocated away from the coastal plain and built more resilient and innovative to where the plant now reuses 100% of their water Aspirational Goal: Imagine if we could protect our water infrastructure from the effects of extreme weather and climate change! 13

14 9. IMPROVING ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION Challenge In million people worldwide (more than twice the population of the U.S.) relied on potentially unsafe drinking water At the end of 2011, 2.5 billion people worldwide lacked access to improved sanitation facilities Need New/improved technologies and practices for safe drinking water and sanitation Aspirational Goal: Imagine if access to safe drinking water and sanitation practices basic human needs were no longer responsible for deaths and illness worldwide! The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Development/Water-Sanitation-and-Hygiene 14

15 10. IMPROVING WATER QUALITY OF OUR OCEANS, ESTUARIES, AND WATERSHEDS Challenge Less than half of the nation s lakes, rivers, streams and coastlines achieve a level of quality to safely allow for their intended uses (e.g. swimming, fishing) Need Approaches, tools and techniques that can be used to improve and maintain the health of our watersheds Aspirational Goal: Imagine a holistic, integrated watershed-based approach to water quality and water quality management, which maximizes ecosystem restoration! EPA s Trash Free Waters Program 15

16 THE PATH FORWARD The Office of Water will undertake a number of actions to support technology innovation for clean and safe water Advocate for technology innovation Communicate actions and successes Create regulatory space to foster technology innovation Reduce the barriers and provide support for speeding delivery of proven technologies Support research, development, and demonstration projects Technology innovation can accelerate progress toward our goals of clean and safe water. EPA and many stakeholders will strive to support technology innovation to solve water resource problems cheaper, faster and using less energy! EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Nancy Stoner 16

17 POTENTIAL FUNDING MECHANISMS TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION Funding and financing are critical to innovation Many mechanisms exist EPA Small Business Innovation Research Program EPA Science to Achieve Results Small Business Technology Transfer EPA Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Revolving Funds Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program Environmental Security Technology Certification Program Conservation Innovation Grants Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Financial Assistance Programs Development Innovation Ventures More information at Office of Water Funding and Grants Web page: 17

18 PARTNER AND LEVERAGE ACTION WITH OTHERS Support to partners is essential to foster innovation States and Tribes Other federal agencies Local and municipal organizations Wastewater and drinking water utility associations and research organizations Water equipment manufacturers Laboratories Nonprofit organizations Private foundations Academia 18

19 QUESTIONS? Contact Information: 19