Energy management in the water sector: A policy statement review

Water and wastewater utilities consume significant energy. While they are regulated on water quality and other environmental issues, energy management is largely optional. In between enforceable public policy and voluntary internal action, professional associations can influence their industries to act. In this perspective article, we discuss 10 policy statements from three professional associations in the water sector and discuss how they support energy management. While few of the statements directly address energy management, we conclude that they justify it in terms of ethics, sustainability, affordability, and asset management. Still, their disparate nature exposes a policy gap. We recommend that the associations develop definitive policy statements on the subject to clarify their positions and set expectations. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Water/wastewater utilities use energy but are not regulated for energy management. In the absence of public policy, professional associations can influence action. We discuss 10 policy statements from ASCE, AWWA, and WEF in the water industry. The statements support energy management indirectly but leave a policy gap. We recommend developing policy statements specifically on this topic.