Assessing Energy Efficiency in Water Utilities Using Long-term Data Analysis

Water supply and electrical energy use are important topics at present, particularly in São Paulo (Brazil) where rising electricity prices and a changing climate are placing increasing strain on one of the world's biggest metropolitan area. This study uses information on dwellers socio-economic profile (SEP) and behavior to make adjustment in pumping operation schedule in a water distribution network system sector in São Paulo municipality together with long-term measurement of volume of water delivered, leakage, energy consumption, customer complaints due to water supply interruption, with the aim of improving efficiency. The findings suggest that dwellers SEP and behavior is suitable to adjust pumping operation schedule and that this procedure accounted for up to 25% of energy savings compared to baseline situation. With the adjustment it was also possible to reduce leakage flow in pipes, and most importantly the changes do not deteriorate service quality (efficacy) measured by customers complaints.