Energy Commission Funds Innovative Water Treatment Project in Rialto

The City of Rialto recently broke ground on a new wastewater treatment demonstration project that could provide substantial energy and water savings.

The project was funded by a $1.5 million grant from the California Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program, which supports innovations and strategies to advance clean energy technologies that help California meet its energy and climate goals.

BDP EnviroTech will build the system, which will use the company’s unique treatment process that reduces energy use by 50 percent, water use by 50 percent, operation and maintenance costs by 50 percent, and capital costs by 30 percent compared with traditional wastewater treatment technologies, according to BDP EnivoTech CEO Eric Li.

The project will be operated in partnership with Veolia North America, which manages Rialto’s water treatment plant and its water systems. The demonstration will happen as the plant is undergoing a major upgrade.

California has the most stringent and comprehensive water treatment requirements in the United States. It also has some of the most aggressive energy and greenhouse gas emission goals in the country.

“The Energy Commission is committed to increasing Energy Commission program benefits in California’s disadvantaged communities, and it is vitally important that we explore new ways to improve efficiency, save water and reduce energy consumption,” said Energy Commission Chair Robert B. Weisenmiller. “Demonstration projects like this one could have positive long-term impacts not only for Rialto, but for all of California.”

The system is expected to be operational by December with the project evaluation to last a year.

Photo courtesy of Veolia North America.