Description: Small wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) face increasing pressure from rising electricity costs, aging infrastructure, and more stringent treatment requirements. Energy is often one of the largest operating expenses for small systems. This webinar will explore practical opportunities to reduce costs through energy efficiency improvements, operational optimization, and renewable energy solutions such as solar power.

Participants will learn how energy is used in wastewater treatment facilities, common sources of energy inefficiency, and strategies to reduce energy consumption while maintaining treatment performance. The webinar will highlight low-cost operational improvements, high-efficiency equipment upgrades, and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that can help lower utility expenses and improve long-term resilience.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand utility bills, energy charges, and how energy is consumed in wastewater treatment plants.

• Identify major energy-consuming processes and common opportunities for improving efficiency.

• Evaluate low-cost operational changes and long-term capital improvements, including solar energy systems, that can reduce energy consumption and costs.

• Explore available rebates, incentives, and financing programs that support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

• Develop initial steps toward an energy management plan for your facility

Presenter: Danish Kumar, Program Manager, University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center

Certificate: This webinar has NOT been submitted for approval of continuing education credit. We can provide a certificate of attendance to eligible attendees, but cannot guarantee it will meet your PDH or CEU requirements.

Who Should Attend: 

• Managers, owners, and operators of small wastewater systems serving less than 10,000 people

• Decision-makers for wastewater utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks

• Consultants and technical assistance providers serving wastewater systems

Partner: