Embracing Circular Water Solutions: Case Studies and Business Opportunities

In this Friday's edition of " Wastewater Circular Economy," I would like to share examples of actual case studies where circular economy transformation of water and wastewater management occurs.?

I will then end with a summary of entrepreneurial and investment opportunities in sustainable water and wastewater management and circular economy based on these case studies for those interested in identifying similar opportunities in their areas.?

Implementing Circular Economy Principles for Sustainable Water and Wastewater Management in Chennai, India

In Chennai, India, the Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) spearheaded a transformative shift towards a circular economy in water and wastewater management. Pioneering initiatives include:

• Mandating rainwater harvesting.
• Operating two large-scale desalination plants.
• Reusing 10 percent of collected wastewater, with plans to increase this to an impressive 75 percent.

CMWSSB's commitment extends to selling treated wastewater to industrial users, generating revenue that covers operational costs and facilitates rapid recovery of capital investments.

The innovative retrofitting of wastewater treatment plants for energy recovery, supplying over 50 percent of energy needs, further showcases Chennai's dedication to circularity. These initiatives not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also present entrepreneurial and investment opportunities, positioning Chennai as a model for sustainable urban water management.

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Maximizing Existing Facilities for Cost Savings

AySa, the water and wastewater utility in Buenos Aires, initially contemplated the expansion of wastewater treatment plants to bolster capacity. However, a strategic shift occurred through the application of process audit techniques. These audits unearthed opportunities to exploit the capabilities of the existing facilities fully.

Consequently, the utility decided to forego the expansion plans, leading to substantial savings of?USD 150 million?in capital expenditures. These audits exemplify how astute evaluation and optimization of existing infrastructure can meet rising demands and result in significant cost efficiencies.

S?o Paulo, Brazil: Optimal Performance through Infrastructure Optimization

In S?o Paulo, Brazil, the World Bank's 2030 Water Resources Group for Brazil, in collaboration with the metropolitan sewage unit of the utility, embarked on a groundbreaking initiative in 2019.

Rather than opting for the conventional route of expanding or constructing new wastewater treatment plants to address capacity concerns, the program focuses on optimizing the performance of four major existing plants.

This optimization program involves a meticulous series of audits to identify priority actions and investments to eliminate bottlenecks and enhance the efficiency of the treatment process at each plant. By prioritizing these targeted improvements, the utility anticipates postponing investments in tertiary treatment and curbing expenditures related to physical expansion.

Preliminary results indicate that this forward-thinking program is poised to yield substantial savings for the utility SABESP. This approach showcases the potential of leveraging existing infrastructure in a more innovative, more resourceful manner, aligning with sustainable and cost-effective water management practices.

Mexico: Monclova's Sustainable Pumping Practices

In pursuing sustainable water and wastewater management, Monclova in Mexico took proactive measures to enhance energy efficiency. By installing variable speed drives, upgrading pumping equipment, and optimizing operational schedules, Monclova achieved a remarkable 23 percent reduction in energy intensity.

These initiatives not only improved operational efficiency but also increased revenues. The swift payback period of 1.9 years showcases the financial viability of these sustainability initiatives, presenting entrepreneurial and investment opportunities in the circular economy.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mostar's Energy-Saving Water Strategies

In Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, a strategic focus on sustainable water management unfolded through pump upgrades, greater reliance on gravity-fed water systems, and the implementation of water leakage detection and repairs.

This multifaceted approach resulted in a substantial 40 percent reduction in energy use, translating to an estimated annual electricity cost savings of?US$128,400. These energy-efficient practices contribute to environmental sustainability and present potential investment avenues in the circular economy.

Armenia: Yerevan's Performance-Based Sustainability

The city of Yerevan in Armenia embraced a competitive approach to sustainable water management by engaging a management contractor through a performance-based contract. This initiative involved rehabilitating pumping stations, optimizing gravity-fed water supply, and upgrading pumps.

With a total investment of US$16.8 million, the city now enjoys an annual cost savings of US$4.8 million, yielding a commendable payback period of 3.5 years. This success story not only underscores the economic viability of sustainable practices but also opens doors for entrepreneurial ventures in the circular water economy.

Brazil: Campinas' Comprehensive Energy Management

Brazil's city of Campinas established a holistic energy management program, incorporating specific energy efficiency improvements into operational management. The Capivari water treatment plant witnessed annual energy savings of US$200,000 (1.8 gigawatt-hours) with a strategic investment of US$1.3 million, resulting in a reasonable payback period of approximately 6.5 years.

This case exemplifies the potential for sustainable water practices to enhance operational efficiency and financial performance, presenting attractive opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures and investments in the circular economy.

Pioneering Circular Economy: Ridgewood's Energy Neutrality

In New Jersey, the Ridgewood wastewater treatment plant spearheaded a pioneering transformation toward circular energy solutions, epitomizing sustainability and unlocking entrepreneurial prospects.

Through an innovative public-private partnership, the facility underwent a comprehensive retrofit for co-digestion, harnessing biogas to meet its electricity demand. Ridgewood Green, the private operator, shouldered all upfront capital investments, mitigating risk for the village. Under a power purchase agreement, the town acquires electricity generated from biogas at rates below the market average, ensuring sustainable energy and presenting an attractive landscape for entrepreneurial ventures and investments in circular energy solutions. This strategic approach achieved energy neutrality and showcased a replicable model for circular economy initiatives in wastewater treatment.

A list of entrepreneurial and investment opportunities:?

?Here's a list of entrepreneurial and investment opportunities derived from the mentioned case studies in sustainable water and wastewater management, particularly in the context of transitioning towards a circular economy:

Wastewater Treatment Plant Co-digestion Facilities:

• Establishing and operating co-digestion facilities for wastewater treatment plants, leveraging biogas production for energy needs.
• Investment opportunity in private entities specializing in co-generation,?
• Offering capital for the retrofitting and operating wastewater treatment plants.

Circular Water Supply Solutions:

• Developing technologies for circular water supply systems that promote rainwater harvesting, desalination, and wastewater reuse, as demonstrated in Chennai, India.
• Investment in startups focused on innovative water supply and treatment technologies.

Infrastructure Optimization Services:

• Providing consultancy services for optimizing existing water and wastewater infrastructure, as seen in Buenos Aires and S?o Paolo.
• Investing in technologies and startups that offer solutions for auditing, upgrading, and maximizing the efficiency of existing water and wastewater facilities.

Energy Efficiency Technologies:

• Developing and implementing energy-efficient technologies for water and wastewater treatment plants, similar to the energy efficiency case studies in Mexico, Mostar, Yerevan, and Campinas.
• Investing in companies specializing in energy management programs, variable speed drives, and optimization measures for water treatment plants.

Renewable Energy Certificate Trading:

• Creating platforms or participating in existing markets for trading renewable energy certificates, as observed in Ridgewood, United States.
• Investment in companies engaged in the production of renewable energy certificates and their trade in renewable energy marketplaces.

Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Water Management:

• Facilitating public-private partnerships for implementing circular economy initiatives in water and wastewater management.
• Investing in projects that align with circular economy principles through collaboration with local municipalities or utilities.

Smart Water Technologies:

• Developing and implementing smart water technologies for efficient water use, leak detection, and resource optimization.
• Investing in startups and technologies that contribute to advancing smart water management systems.

Biosolid Utilization and Circular Agriculture:

• Exploring opportunities for the utilization of biosolids, as seen in Yerevan, for circular agriculture and soil enhancement.
• Investment in ventures that collect and utilize organic matter from wastewater treatment for agricultural purposes.

Power Purchase Agreements in Renewable Energy:

• Engaging in power purchase agreements to procure electricity from renewable sources, such as biogas.
• Investment in renewable energy projects focusing on selling electricity to municipalities and industries.

Educational and Training Initiatives:

• Establishing educational programs and training initiatives to enhance knowledge of circular water management practices.
• Investing in initiatives that promote awareness and capacity-building for circular economy principles in the water sector.

These entrepreneurial and investment opportunities align to transition towards sustainable water and wastewater management within a circular economy framework.

Karabo Nthethe PrEng

[email protected]

Your partner in industrial subject matter expert content writing and process engineering solutions for wastewater treatment, management, and the circular economy.