Water & Wastewater Infrastructure

A critical aspect of sustainability associated with water and wastewater systems is to maintain and manage infrastructure in the most efficient and economical manner while complying with environmental regulations and keeping rates at acceptable levels. Given the high cost of fuel, our growing population, and the associated increase in energy needs, it is important to address energy use and future energy availability for the treatment of the water we drink and the water we pollute. Water & Wastewater Infrastructure: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability addresses these issues, detailing the processes that can assist facilities to become more energy efficient and providing guidance to ensure their sustainability.The text begins with brief descriptions of the water and wastewater treatment industries. It then describes some of the basics of energy and discusses what planning for a sustainable energy future in water and wastewater treatment plants entails. The author explores energy-saving options and provides case studies to demonstrate how some facilities have used equipment, technology, and operating strategies to save money and reduce their impact. The energy-efficient technologies include combined heat and power (CHP), gas turbines, microturbines, reciprocating engines, steam turbines, and fuel cells. The author also addresses biomass power and biogas.The section on sustainability and renewable energy covers hydropower, solar power, and wind power as well as energy conservation measures for treating wastewater. Nine appendices provide individual case studies that present evaluations of energy conservation measures, results, payback analysis, and conclusions. This book addresses the challenges faced by water and wastewater treatment facilities by examining how they can operate in ways that provide economic and environmental benefits, save money, reduce environmental impact, and lead to sustainability.

"Water & Wastewater Infrastructure: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability is a recommendation for college-level reference collections in science and nature which are strong in environmental engineering, and describes various water and wastewater treatment approaches and what it means for sustainable energy in the area. Chapters provide case studies of facilities that have used technology to reduce their environmental impact, and point out various alternative power options and sustainable and renewable energy sources for treating wastewater. From conservation measures and analysis to special wastewater and water challenges, this surveys the extent of the industry's challenges and approaches to water and wastewater management, and is key for any collection strong in environmental engineering applications."—Midwest Book Review, October 2014"… a recommendation for any environmental engineering collection and offers descriptions of the methods and applications of the water and wastewater industries. It then proceeds to discuss changing energy needs and provides case studies to show how some facilities have used new equipment and technology to save money by becoming more energy efficient. … A 'must' for environmental engineers and any involved in wastewater management processes.—California Bookwatch, November 2013

Frank R. Spellman, Ph.D., is a retired U.S. Naval Officer with 26 years of active duty, a retired environmental safety and health manager for a large wastewater sanitation district in Virginia, and a retired assistant professor of environmental health at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. He is the author or co-author of 75 books, with more soon to be published. Dr. Spellman consults on environmental matters with the U.S. Department of Justice and various law firms and environmental entities around the globe.