Soon-to-open Brightwater plant already receiving kudos for energy efficiencies

Snohomish PUD presents $265,000 rebate check to King County for wastewater treatment technology that will save enough electricity to power 450 homes

King County’s Brightwater Plant’s grand opening is next Saturday, Sept. 24, but its energy-saving technology is already receiving $265,000 in energy rebate dollars from the Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD).

“Brightwater is achieving the highest possible standards for the treatment of wastewater, which is the main environmental goal. By operating the plant as efficiently as possible, we are further doing our part as environmental stewards,” said Deputy King County Executive Fred Jarrett. “Our continuing partnership with Snohomish PUD is extremely important as we work to achieve our energy conservation goals.”

Snohomish PUD won’t have the official count on energy savings until later this year, but PUD Board of Commissioners President Dave Aldrich said the utility wanted to recognize Brightwater’s approach to saving energy as the plant opens. The utility estimates the energy savings will result in a rebate check of approximately $265,000 by the end of 2011.

“Treating wastewater to high environmental standards requires a large energy footprint, and the state-of-the-art technology King County is using demonstrates it is committed to minimizing that footprint,” said Aldrich. “We are impressed with Brightwater’s approach to saving energy and look forward to working with King County on more efficiencies once plant operations begin.”

The technologies bringing the savings include:

• Installation of several high efficiency micro turbine blowers that will supply air to the plant aeration system. They are expected to operate 30 to 50 percent more efficiently than traditional blowers.
• Modification of the air handling system for the world’s largest membrane bio-reactor (MBR). By optimizing the amount of air required for operation of the MBR, Brightwater expects it can reduce the power consumption by around 50 percent.

Jarrett said the combination of these two systems will save an estimated 4.5 million kilowatt hours per year, or roughly the annual electrical energy use of 450 homes in the Pacific Northwest.

The wastewater treatment process is energy intensive, and WTD is the largest user of electricity in all of King County government. Its annual electric bill is nearly 10 percent of its operational budget, totaling more than $9 million even before Brightwater begins operations.

The efficiencies fall in line with WTD’s Energy Program, an ongoing strategic effort to conserve energy and create resources from wastewater. The division is already converting byproducts of the treatment process into resources – namely digester gas, excess heat, biosolids and reclaimed water. The division scrubs digester gas from the treatment process and uses it in several ways – for energy on site, to sell to Puget Sound Energy, or for powering large pumps and recycling the heat from the pumps.

More of Brightwater’s sustainable energy features will be on display at the public grand opening of the plant on Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m., in Woodinville. Among the event highlights is the unveiling of Brightwater Center, a community education center and gathering place that features solar panels funded by a grant from Snohomish PUD and Bonneville Environmental Foundation, natural ventilation and day-lighting, energy efficient lighting and appliances, and radiant floor heating from the plant’s thermal energy production. Snohomish PUD staff have been partners in creating an exhibit hall with information on saving both water and energy. After the grand opening the center and surrounding grounds will be open to the public.

To learn more about the Brightwater Treatment System, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/brightwater.

Details about the plant’s grand opening celebration are available at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/brightwater-center/events/Sept24_2011.aspx.

People enjoy clean water and a healthy environment because of King County's wastewater treatment program. The county’s Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and water quality by serving 17 cities, 17 local sewer districts and more than 1.5 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Formerly called Metro, the regional clean-water agency now operated by King County has been preventing water pollution for more than 40 years.

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Note to editors and reporters: Visit the WTD Newsroom, a portal to information for the news media about the Wastewater Treatment Division, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks: http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wtd/Newsroom.aspx

Related information

Brightwater Center

Brightwater Project

King County Wastewater Treatment