The City of Santa Rosa Utilities Department has been a leader in renewable energy and energy conservation since the late 1970’s. The department has initiated several major projects which save or create over 12,350 MWhrs each year – enough electricity to power 1,400 households. In addition, about half of the treated effluent from the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Facility is used in local geothermal steamfields to generate enough renewable electricity to provide power to more than 85,000 households. Some of the biggest energy saving operations that Santa Rosa has implemented include:

Co-Generation of Digester Methane Gas -- 1976/1998

Since 1976 the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Facility has converted naturally occurring anaerobic digester methane gas to mechanical or electrical energy. Since 1998 the digester gas has been used to produce 5,250 MWhrs of renewable electricity each year.

Aeration Blower and Aeration Controls Upgrade – 2003

Aeration represents a major electrical load on a wastewater treatment facility – typically 30-50% of the total plant load. In 2003, the Utilities Department installed two highly efficient blowers along with sophisticated air distribution and controls. The result has been an annual savings of over 3,600 MWhrs – a 40% reduction in electrical use for aeration.

Water Conservation Programs – Since 1994

The Utilities Department has had an aggressive water conservation program since 1994, with low-flow toilet rebates and other water savings programs. Every gallon of water conserved does not have to be delivered, collected, or treated after use and represents a significant electrical savings. Today, nearly 3,500 MWhrs are saved each year at the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Facility due to water that was conserved at the tap.

For more information on these projects and others click on the following links for more information.