Water

Fortaleza, Brazil

New monitoring and control system halted large scale water leakage and now generates $2.5 million a year in savings

What is it?

The partnership between ASE and CAGECE (the northeast state of Ceara's water utility) resulted in significant increase of water distribution efficiency by the utility. Related energy savings of 88 GWh over 4 years were achieved, which translated into $2.5 million in savings per year from $1.1 million USD investment. This enabled 88,000 homes that had no previous water supply to be connected to the network. Moreover, CAGECE was able to meet state imposed power rationing goals set at reductions of 20% over normal usage.

How does it work?

Through the partnership, ASE provided CAGECE with a new automated control system (SCADA). An Operational Control Centre monitors a large network of meters and sub-meters that measure water flow and energy from source to end user, allowing CAGECE to monitor the efficiency of water flow and control distribution in real time. This helps reduce the need for site visits and enables more efficient maintenance. Other efficiency measures included pumping system optimization and installation of high efficiency motors.

Key results

• Energy savings of 88 GWh over 4 years
• $2.5 million in savings per year from $1.1 million USD investment
• 88,000 more homes receive water supply
• Over 9,400 tonnes of CO2 reduced through less electricity consumption

Application

• ASE developed a standard approach to combined water and energy efficiency projects and called it Watergy.
• The partnership was the first such project ASE undertook in Brazil. Subsequently ASE have successfully implemented Watergy projects in at least 8 more cities such as: Veracruz, Mexico; Monclova, Mexico; Hidalgo del Parral, Mexico; Emfuleni, South Africa; Soweto, South Africa; Karnataka, India etc. (see www.watergy.org).
• Each city is unique so each Watergy solution is different.
• The approach offers not only technical solutions but also innovative approaches to financing municipal energy efficiency projects.
• Watergy approach is very efficient at municipalities that experience large scale water leakage, high energy cost and low level of water service.