By moving from a reactive (consumption‐following) to a proactive operating strategy using short‐term consumption forecasting (STCF), utilities can save millions of dollars in energy costs. Accurate forecasting techniques and tools are required to realize these cost savings. Short‐term consumption forecasting systems at four water utilities as well as developed prototype systems at five water utilities were studied. Various forecasting methods were also studied and accuracy benchmarked. These nine utilities comprise numerous climate zones and varied customer demographics throughout North America. Electric utility experience with short‐term load forecasting is also presented. Observations and lessons learned are presented. Further recommendations will be published by the Awwa Research Foundation in a future report.

There is an urgent need for innovation in the sanitation sector because the conventional model (toilet-to-sewer-to-treatment) is too time-consuming and costly, and alternatives are lacking. We estimate the challenge ahead by developing scenarios for 60 of the fastest-growing urban conglomerates in the World. We find that the majority would need to build out their sewer systems at a rate that is ten to 50 times higher than the highest rate for any project in the World Bank’s database, which is unrealistic. We also carry out a case study of Lagos, Nigeria, which suggests that, in any given year, 14–37% of Lagos State’s budget would need to be invested to provide sanitation to the presently underserviced population while keeping up with population growth, which also is unrealistic. Our study provides clear evidence that the conventional model for sanitation is unworkable for rapidly growing urban areas. We conclude there is an urgent need to encourage and fund projects that promote innovations that can tackle the three core challenges: can be built sufficiently quickly, are flexible, and affordable. This is not likely to happen unless the future generation is systematically trained and educated to creatively support innovation in sustainable sanitation.

Water-related energy accounts for around one-quarter of California's energy use. Most of the influence is within cities. This project aimed to identify research and policy needs associated with managing energy related to urban water. A workshop was convened with diverse representation from water and energy sectors in federal (US), state (California) and municipal governments, research and regulatory agencies, universities, utilities, not-for profit and private sectors. The workshop established a vision of future cities, including elements of success, research needs and barriers. A subsequent on-line survey was used to estimate the potential, effort and 'potential-to-effort' ratio of each suggested element. First suggested steps in the roadmap include: development of educational programmes, combined standards, guidelines, funding and planning for water and energy efficiency, improved understanding and management of factors motivating consumers, and improved methods to quantify and track targets of 'water-related energy and related greenhouse gas emissions'. The 'roadmap' could help streamline future effort and sequencing action. The authors note and reflect on the importance of representation at such a workshop, and an effort is made to understand sources of variability in viewpoints. The semi-quantitative method used could have relevance to wider resource management issues and complex problem resolution.

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This paper summarizes the outcomes of the international sustainable energy management workshop as part of the Water Research Foundation project “Decision Support System for Sustainable Energy Management.” This paper provides a review of key decisions and barriers to water utility energy management. This paper also provides a discussion of a decision framework to address sustainable energy management in the water/wastewater industry. This work represents a 17 utility, international cooperative project, aimed at creating a Decision Support System (DSS). When concluded, the assembled tool is expected to help identify energy, greenhouse, and cost-saving approaches that will be of wide practical benefit to water utilities.