Water utilities’ improvement: The need for water and energy management techniques and skills

Water supply systems consume energy through individual treatment and pumping equipment and the level of consumption is dependent on many factors such as equipment age, operational control and maintenance status. The operator's skills are also influential on water systems energy consumption. Since energy cost to Tanzania Utilities constitutes up to 40% of operating cost, there is a motivation to reduce energy consumption. Besides energy costs, the utilities suffer from water losses, Non-Revenue Water (NRW) which leads to energy loss.

However, energy management is mostly skill-related, Utility staff must be aware of standard energy management practises to come up with preventive and corrective measures to combat energy use. Energy management practises entails utilities organization, technical and behaviour practises with objective of improving energy performance. In order to bridge the skills-gap this paper is presenting the authors’ experience in implementing energy management practises to Water Utilities. This takes into consideration that Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organization (TIRDO) has a track record of delivering energy management techniques.

Findings showed limited awareness on energy management practises from top management to lower level and inadequate energy management skills. Though some Utilities are already implementing energy management measures, the majority lack skills in production and energy data analysis for developing key performance indicators. Absence of advanced skills in undertaking energy auditing for preparing bankable proposals for convincing management to invest in energy management measures is rampant. The general recommendation is to increase energy efficiency awareness and impart of energy management skills within Utilities through training and skills development programme.