New Water Research Foundation Reports Showcase Utility Innovations in Water Conservation and Energy Recovery

The Water Research Foundation (WRF), a leading sponsor of research supporting the water community, has published two projects on innovative methods to pursue water conservation and energy recovery. The water conservation technology project (#4227) explored the use of “smart” irrigation controllers to prevent over-irrigation. The energy recovery technology project (#4447) investigated in-line hydrokinetic turbines (ILT) within a potable water distribution system.

Both projects were funded through WRF’s Tailored Collaboration program, where participating utilities can leverage research funding for a project they propose and more broadly share the research outcomes with other utilities. Tailored Collaboration projects often address innovative ideas to determine application potential at a utility. Orange County Utilities (Fla.) partnered with WRF on project #4227 and Halifax Water partnered with WRF on project #4447.

Project #4227, Smart Irrigation Controller Demonstration and Evaluation in Orange County, Florida, evaluated the water savings potential of soil moisture sensors (SMS) and evapotranspiration (ET) irrigation controllers on residential and commercial properties on two distinct soil types: flatwood soils and sandy soils. The ET and SMS equipment, backflow prevention devices, irrigation meters, and weather stations were installed between March 2011 and January 2012. Some participants received educational training on how to use the smart irrigation systems. On average, ET irrigation controller treatments reduced irrigation by 18% across both sandy and flatwoods soils for the non-education group, and 32% for the education group. The SMS technology reduced irrigation by 30% for the non-educational group and 42% for the educational group across both soils. The educational groups had a trend for less irrigation than their non-educational counterparts. The project results have demonstrated that smart irrigation controllers conserve water for both residential and commercial properties that historically over irrigate by efficiently scheduling irrigation, and may help water utilities extend their portfolio of water resources. The Principal Investigator for the project was Jacqueline Torbert with Orange County Utilities.

Project #4447, Energy Recovery Using In-Line Hydro Turbines, investigated the use of an in-line hydrokinetic turbine (ILT), or a reverse acting pump, as an energy recovery device operating in parallel to a traditional pressure-reducing valve inside of an existing and tightly pressure-controlled potable water distribution system. The project documented the installation and operation of the ILT and generator, and investigated pressure and flow transients and their impacts. It also investigated the effects on downstream water quality from significant and rapid fluctuations of pressure and flow that result from both normal and upset operating conditions of an ILT. Through an improved understanding of operational characteristics and modes of upset and failure, risk mitigation and control strategies and solutions can be developed that will allow more widespread application of this technology to closed, pressure controlled water supply systems. This, in turn will allow greater amounts of renewable, clean energy generation by water utilities. The Principal Investigators for the project were Jeffrey Knapp, P.Eng. and Graham MacDonald, both with Halifax Water.

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