How a Wastewater Plant Hits Net Zero Energy
By Rachel Engel, Efficient Gov.
A wastewater treatment facility in Gresham, Ore., went beyond net zero energy consumption within 10 years after beginning the journey.
While other cities across the country are working to mitigate the exorbitant amount of energy their wastewater treatment plants consume, the city of Gresham, Ore., has found a way to achieve net zero energy consumption.
Through a 2005 partnership with a private contractor, Gresham’s wastewater treatment plant began the process of green energy creation as well as reducing their overall energy consumption. A mere 10 years later, in March 2015, the plant hit net zero for the month, proving they could create as much energy on site as they needed to consume for operations. It was a milestone victory for the city.