Sometimes the biggest opportunities are hiding in plain sight. Years ago, a sewer trunk line running beside Markham District Energy's Warden Energy Centre was viewed as an inconvenient constraint that would complicate the routing of thermal energy piping. Today, that same infrastructure is the foundation of what will become the largest wastewater energy transfer system [...]
How can municipalities start tackling wastewater emissions? We partnered with GHD to develop a new case study that explores how Canadian municipalities can build their first wastewater greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory — a critical step toward climate mitigation. Key takeaways: Municipalities typically choose between using an existing tool or developing a custom calculator. Publicly available [...]
As communities across Canada look for cost-effective ways to reduce emissions, Wastewater Energy Transfer (WET) systems offer an opportunity to reduce reliance on carbon intensive energy sources and leverage existing sewage infrastructure. This primer explores: How WET systems work. Canadian and international examples of WET systems. Key technical, economic, and policy considerations. Read the primer
Key insights Federal funding, effective leadership, and support from senior management were crucial to developing the energy management project roadmap. Securing funding and resourcing was essential to sustaining energy management initiatives. Enhanced coordination across teams and better communication of energy savings helped ensure that the program stayed on track and gained support from various stakeholders. [...]
Key insights Understanding, predicting, and mitigating nitrous oxide emissions is crucial as utilities across Canada strive to reduce their carbon footprint. Monitoring and measuring of nitrous oxide at the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant will inform actions that support safe, cost-effective services that have low emissions. Effective aeration controls are important to support the [...]
Key insights The greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory tool developed by the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA) and Water Environment Association of Ontario (WEAO) enables municipalities to assess GHG emissions from their water treatment facilities and support informed decision-making. The tool accounts for both direct and indirect emissions from drinking water treatment plants, which offers a [...]
Key insights Senior leadership support is necessary to drive large-scale mitigation action. Completing a GHG inventory is the first step toward effective GHG mitigation. An inventory provides an understanding of the emission sources and helps focus mitigation efforts. When developing mitigation plans, it is critical to identify key stakeholders across your utility and to engage [...]
