2018 Wacclim Roadmap en Screen

The Roadmap
to a Low-Carbon
Urban Water
Utility
The Roadmap
to a Low-Carbon
Urban Water
Utility
An international guide to
the WaCCliM approach
Simone Ballard; Jose Porro; Corinne Trommsdorff
Co-published by IWA Publishing
Alliance House, 12 Caxton Street,
London SW1H 0QS, UK
Tel. +44 (0) 20 7654 5500
Fax +44 (0) 20 7654 5555
publications@iwap.co.uk
www.iwapublishing.com
ISBN: 9781780409917 (print)

ISBN: 9781780409924 (eBook)
DOI: 10.2166/9781780409924
©2018 The Author(s)

This is an Open Access book distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence (CC BY-
NC-SA 4.0), which permits copying and redistribution for non-commercial purposes, provided the original work is
properly cited and that any new works are made available on the same conditions (http://creativecommons.org/
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Reviewers
Blanca Antizar Isle Utilities
Lluis Corominas Catalan Institute for Water Research
Abby Crisostomo Greater London Authority
Christopher Godlove THINKCities Consulting
Steven Kenway The University of Queensland
Christian Loderer Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin GmbH
Gustaf Olsson Lund University
Ana Paula Teixeira Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres
Cheng Yan China University of Geosciences
In addition, the following reviewers also contributed:

Astrid Michels, Ranjin Fernando, Tobias Reinhardt, Willy Alarcon,
Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, WaCCliM project team
The Water and Wastewater Companies for Climate Mitigation (WaCCliM) project
is a joint initiative between the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the International Water Association (IWA). This project
is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The German Federal Ministry
for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) supports
this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag.
Forewords
By Kalanithy Vairavamoorthy
IWA Executive Director
This year, the International Water Association (IWA) has been developing its new 5-year strategic plan and one of
its key strategic goals relates to the need for innovations to help the urban water sector respond to the challenges
associated with global change pressures. As such, I am very proud that IWA participated in the WaCCliM Project,
as it provides a major contribution in the transition to carbon-neutral urban water and wastewater services.
Having been associated with IWA for over 20 years, I have heard first-hand from our worldwide membership that
their cities are facing a range of dynamic regional and global pressures. Climate change is predicted to cause
significant changes affecting different cities in different ways, with some experiencing more frequent droughts
and water shortages, while others will have more intense storm events with subsequent flooding issues.
While the water sector has to cope with the impacts of climate change, it also contributes up to 17
percent of greenhouse gas emissions locally. Hence, there is a need for fundamental change in the
way we manage urban water based on a foundation of research, technology and innovation.
The IWA, through its worldwide membership, is at the forefront in promoting the development of
these innovations, by bringing together experts from across the globe to catalyse change towards
more sustainable urban water management. The Association achieves this by demonstrating
research and sharing knowledge across a range of different geographical, climatic and socio-
cultural settings, so that the global adoption of more sustainable solutions is accelerated.
Carbon-neutral and climate-resilient water systems are essential to this and IWA is proactively encouraging global
utilities from within its membership and beyond to become leaders in climate mitigation and adaptation. The
WaCCliM Project and the Roadmap to a Low-Carbon Urban Water Utility has provided solid evidence of how this
can be achieved. We believe that many of our utility members will be early adopters of the WaCCliM roadmap,
as it will help guide and inspire them on the path to carbon-neutral urban water and wastewater services.
IWA hopes that through the WaCCliM Project, we can help create a new generation of urban
leaders with radically different thinking to deliver a real paradigm shift in urban water
management. IWA, along with its global partners, will continue to produce knowledge,
technologies, models and techniques, to create and support these new urban leaders.
5 The Roadmap to a Low-Carbon Urban Water Utility

By Thomas Stratenwerth
Head of Division – General, European and International Water Management Issues
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany
Around 2005 the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission issued two reports on the possible
impacts of climate change on European waters and seas. These quite alarming reports were presented
to and discussed by the European Water Directors. Consequently, we in the German Federal Ministry for
the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety held a conference on Climate Change and
the European Waters during the German European Union presidency in 2007, which was successful in
raising awareness. For me, this was the starting point for intensive engagement in the development of
the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change, which has been my responsibility since then.
We have only just started to experience the drastic impacts of climate change on water and energy
availability. An increased awareness of the interrelation between water, energy and carbon is the first
stepping stone in developing a sectorial strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that will support
the transition to a climate-resilient future. The water sector’s contribution to this transition and to
the Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement starts from a greater focus on
energy requirements, greenhouse gas implications and clear carbon emission reduction targets.
Since 2013, the International Climate Initiative of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature
Conservation and Nuclear Safety has been supporting the ‘Water and Wastewater Companies for Climate
Mitigation’ (WaCCliM), a programme jointly implemented between the International Water Association and the
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). WaCCliM assists utilities in significantly reducing
their greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the development of mitigation strategies in the water sector and
having the final goal of achieving transformational changes and leading the sector to a low-carbon
economy. WaCCliM has been implemented in Mexico, Peru, Thailand and Jordan. The tools developed
with a focus on supporting utilities in emerging economies are a major achievement of this project.
The Roadmap to a Low-Carbon Urban Water Utility, a legacy from the WaCCliM project, builds on the
experiences gained during the implementation of the project. It will support water utility managers
around the world in their efforts to improve performance and achieve carbon neutrality of their utilities
while raising the awareness of policy-makers to the substantial contributions the water sector can provide
in meeting greenhouse-gas reduction targets. Local action is needed to support global targets!
An International Guide of the WaCCliM Approach 6

Content
Executive Summary 9
Glossary 11
Introduction 12
Part 1: Our Changing Climate and the Role of the Urban Water Sector in Avoiding a Looming Crisis 13
1. Urban water management, energy, and carbon are inseparable 13
2. Water utilities have a stake in addressing the global climate crisis 14
3. Turning challenges into opportunities 16
Part 2: A Roadmap for Urban Water Utilities to Transition to a Carbon-Neutral Future –

Five Iterative Steps 17
Step 1. Motivate low-carbon action 19
1.1 The relationship between drivers, objectives, and opportunities in supporting low-carbon actions 19
1.2 Drivers push the agenda 19
Step 2. Assess your system: where do your GHG emissions stand? 21
2.1 The basis of a useful baseline assessment 21
2.2 Introduction to general methodology 22
2.3 Beginning assessment: critical components 22
2.3.1 The ECAM tool 22
2.3.2 Data management framework: what is needed going forward 23
Step 3. Identify opportunities 24
3.1 Addressing utility challenges with low-carbon solutions 24
3.2 Introduction to general methodology 24
3.3 Understanding the emissions: what influencing factors exist at each stage of the UWC 25
3.3.1 Drinking water abstraction 26
3.3.2 Drinking water treatment 26
3.3.3 Drinking water distribution 27
3.3.4 Wastewater collection 28
3.3.5 Wastewater treatment 28
3.3.6 Wastewater discharge / reuse 29
3.4 Impacts compounded across stages 31
3.5 The need for a holistic and discerning approach 31
3.6 Feasibility exploration: critical considerations for success 32
3.7 Aligning opportunities with the utility’s objectives, drivers and enablers 32
Step 4. Implement measures: setting plans into motion 33
4.1 Financing 33
4.1.1 Overview of the typical financing gap 33
4.1.2 Overview of mechanisms to fill the financing gap 34
4.1.3 Qualities of a ‘bankable’ project 36
4.2 Utility capacity: begin at the beginning 37
4.3 Existing policies: what is already in motion to facilitate progress 37
4.4 Stakeholder engagement 37
4.5 Project examples: the pilot utilities 38
4.5.1 Mexico 38
4.5.2 Peru 39
4.5.3 Jordan 40
4.5.4 Thailand 41
Step 5. Monitoring success 42
Part 3: The Urban Water Utility of the Future: Low-Carbon, Holistic and Sustainable 43
1. Water utilities are the champions for securing the collective water future 43
2. Continuing to improve 43
3. Planning future assets that are low-carbon and adapted to climate change 43
References 44
Annexes 45
Annex I: Project Background 47
Annex II: Data Management Framework Extended 48
Annex III: Utility Roadmap Scenario 50
Annex IV: Knowledge Platform Opportunities and Solutions 51

Executive Summary
The Roadmap to a Low-Carbon Urban Water Utility presents
utility managers with an approach to address their most
pressing challenges, while reducing carbon emissions through
Business as usual ...
measures that either have a return on investment through
energy or water savings, or that correspond to planned +2°C
N�O
investments as part of the asset management plan to maintain
CH�
CO�
or improve their services. Utilities adopting this approach are
contributing to a carbon-neutral future, by instigating a change
of mind-set, not only in urban water management but also by
inspiring all other urban services through sharing the risks
and the urgency to act to avoid aggravated impacts of climate
change, of which water utilities are among the first victims:
water scarcity, flooding and deteriorated water quality.
... is aggravating
To become a low-carbon urban water utility and a leader in the water challenges
climate change mitigation, champions are needed, who will drive
the change in their respective urban water utilities and cities. It is
also about realising that urban water management is intrinsically
linked to energy consumption and production, as well as to
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and opportunities to reduce/
offset them. The urban water utilities represent an untapped Low-carbon
potential to further reduce overall GHG emissions. Diluted in the utilities ...
total global emissions, it might seem like a small contribution;
however, if the urban water sector were to become carbon neutral,
it could contribute the equivalent of 20% of the sum of committed
reductions by all countries in the Paris Agreement (i.e. the
Nationally Determined Contributions). In addition, because water
is connected to all urban sectors, and many low-carbon measures
would be best implemented in partnership with other sectors,
water utilities can drive an even bigger impact, by catalysing and
supporting the low-carbon mind-set in all other urban sectors.
The process for utility champions to progress towards low-carbon

urban water is highlighted below, as five steps that the utility ... are contributing to
implements several times, with each iteration increasing the a low-carbon future
capacity of the utility to contribute to a carbon-neutral future.

It begins with identifying the drivers that will make the connection
1 2 3
between the utility’s main objectives and the low-carbon opportunities.
Once this connection is made, the dialogue with the utility’s
4
Motivate Assesscan
stakeholders start towards initiating aIdentify
Your low-carbon mind-set. Implement
Action System Opportunities Measures
This connection is then strengthened through assessing the utility’s
1
Motivate
2
Assess Your
3 4
urban water systems. The assessment is a visualisation of the
existing level of carbon emissions and the most important water and
Identify using a holistic approachImplement
5
Monitor
energy inefficiencies to water, wastewater
Action System Opportunities Measures
and drainage services, recognising that all urban ‘waters’ are inter-
Impact
connected. It is also a way of pointing out how reducing these
inefficiencies may contribute to lowering the GHG footprint.
Evaluating opportunities to reduce emissions in the light of planned
2
Assess Your
3
Identify
4 5
improvements is a way to ease into applying the mind-set shift to more
stakeholders within the utility. All GHG reduction measures considered
Monitor reducing
have also toImplement
deliver on the utility’s objectives. Eventually
System Opportunities Measures Impact
carbon emission will be one of the objectives, as we already observe in
a handful of advanced utilities; however, until then, the approach is to
link necessary improvements to opportunities to reduce emissions.
The initial technical measures implemented typically relate to
3
entify
4
Implement
5
existing plans. The approach is initially opportunistic, making
the link between planned measures and GHG reduction. It is a
Monitor
method to initiate a GHG monitoring process. The implementation
rtunities Measures Impact
of additional technical measures often requires strengthening or
developing enablers through other types of measure that relate
to capacity, financing, policies and stakeholder engagement.
Monitoring and visualising the impact of the measure on the utility’s
4
Implement
5
Monitor
carbon footprint by monitoring adequate data and using adapted
tools to inform stakeholders is a key step. It will inform future
iterations of the five basic steps of ‘The Roadmap to a Low-Carbon
Measures Impact Urban Water Utility’ and support communications to increase the
number of stakeholders supporting the low-carbon transition.
As the utility goes through these iterative steps over the years and
its planning cycles, the utility will evolve towards becoming an urban
water utility of the future: low-carbon, holistic and sustainable.

Glossary
Note: in this document, the term ‘water utility’ is used to refer both to drinking water
and to wastewater utilities because many of the guidelines apply to both (see below).
Carbon Neutrality – The state of emitting negligible to

net zero carbon emissions during operations.
Climate Change – Long-term, significant changes in global or regional climate patterns.
Climate Financing – Financial resources set aside for

funding climate mitigation projects worldwide.
ECAM – Energy Performance and Carbon Emissions Assessment and Monitoring tool.
ESCO – European Skills/Competences, qualifications and Occupations.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs)/Carbon Emissions – The gases that lead to heat being
retained in Earth’s lower atmosphere such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane.
Holistic – Thinking of a system, including all of its individual

parts, as interconnected parts in reference to the whole.
Low-Carbon – Relating to a method that leads to low to net

zero carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) – cooperative arrangement between two

or more public and private actors, usually over a longer period.
Sustainable – a state of being maintained at an agreed upon ‘acceptable’

level in terms of economic, environmental, and social impacts.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – 17 global goals set by the United

Nations in 2015 with specific targets to achieve per category.
Urban Water Cycle (UWC) – A man-made cycle encompassing

various stages that water passes through during time in a city
environment, before returning to the Natural Water Cycle.
Urban Water Sector – The actors which are involved in the

maintenance, delivery, and management of water within cities.
Urban Water Utilities – Public or private entities which provide drinking

water supply, wastewater collection and treatment, and/or urban drainage
services. In this document, the term ‘urban water utilities’ or just ‘water utilities’
is used to refer both to drinking water and to wastewater utilities.
WaCCliM – Water and Wastewater Companies for Climate Mitigation.

Introduction
Why a roadmap and for whom? to their stakeholders on why this transition is critical. Change
can only happen if individuals are convinced of its necessity
The transition to low-carbon urban water utilities is an innovative and become champions who lead by example. Institutions
idea, only currently embraced by a few forward-thinking utilities. also support the change, but any policy implementation relies
This roadmap is directed at urban water utility managers in charge on individuals applying it and turning it into actions.
of planning future actions, as well as at the stakeholders who
will support the utility action plans. Because only a few ‘early
adopter’ utilities have embarked on a low-carbon transition, this
Setting a path for utilities to transition
roadmap intends to support other utilities in understanding and to low-carbon
championing the need for contributing to a carbon-neutral future,
and to guide them through a process of change. This roadmap The WaCCliM project supports drinking water and wastewater
can be applied to all utilities worldwide, but was specifically utilities –also referred to as urban water utilities – with
developed with utilities in emerging economies in mind because implementation of measures that both enhance their service
service performance and data management challenges are performance and lower their carbon emissions. The project is
often prominent in their operations and future planning. a global initiative, with the overarching goal to transition to
a carbon-neutral urban water sector. The approach laid out in
this document was developed specifically with water utilities in
Global water sector momentum: early emerging economies in mind within the context of the WaCCliM
adopters reaching carbon neutrality project, but it can serve utilities anywhere as climate change
is a global problem. It targets reducing the water, energy and
Climate change has prompted action around the world to mitigate carbon footprints of urban water utilities through an iterative
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as evidenced by the Paris five-step process which may be used by utilities to find their own
Agreement, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as path to a low-carbon future. The roadmap is intended to guide
well as local, regional and national initiatives aimed at reducing urban water utility managers through these steps and leads to
emissions across all sectors. The mind-set shift in the urban water resources hosted on the Knowledge Platform ‘Climate Smart
sector towards carbon neutrality has recently started in some Water’ 2, which follows the same structure as this roadmap.
developed nations, initiating with GHG emission reduction policies
and implementation actions. Several water utilities worldwide,
such as in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Melbourne and
Utilities start to champion a
New York, are already leading the sector with specific goals for carbon-neutral future
GHG reduction or carbon neutrality, to be achieved by approaches
including energy efficiency, renewable energy use, water reuse, Beyond the implementation of measures to existing facilities,
biogas valorisation and operational optimisation that also often utilities have a role to play in meeting Sustainable Development
results in reducing energy consumption and operational costs. Goal (SDG) 6, and supporting their cities with the approaches
However, this mind-set is still considered innovative, and many and new infrastructure that will contribute to climate resilience
utilities that can have a big impact on a global scale typically and carbon neutrality; and to other targets, such as improved
have not adopted that path yet. Utilities in emerging economies, social equity, well-being, health, and sound management of
struggling with service levels and low wastewater treatment resources, etc. Depending on the regions, and local pressures,
coverage, can have a substantial impact and were therefore the urban water sector might not initially become completely
targeted by the Water and Wastewater Companies for Climate carbon neutral, but utilities can still become low-carbon and
Mitigation (WaCCliM) project 1 (see Annex I) to make the transition do whatever they can to help make a difference. In all cases,
to a low-carbon urban water sector more impactful globally. The the stakeholders of the urban water sector can become the
first part of the roadmap is intended to support utility managers champions in their cities to foster a carbon-neutral future.
in their own mind-set change and secondly in making the case
1
More information at www.wacclim.org
2
Knowledge Platform can be found at www.ClimateSmartWater.org

Part 1:
Our Changing Climate and the Role of the

Urban Water Sector in Avoiding a Looming Crisis
This part is to support utility managers and, more widely, urban • The energy used, in many cases, is derived from a traditional
water stakeholders: first in their own mind-set change, and fossil fuel source, such as coal, oil or natural gas. Energy
secondly in making the case to their other stakeholders on production with these traditional fossil fuel sources produces
why this transition is critical. Figures and text elements may GHGs such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
be adapted or copied in internal communications. Figures are Renewable energy can be produced from recovering biomass, or
available for download at www.ClimateSmartWater.org. heat in the wastewater. Renewable energy can also be produced
from hydro turbines, wind turbines, and solar panels operated by
utilities.
1. Urban water management, energy,
• Managing wastewater as a resource results in the production of
and carbon are inseparable biogas and recovery of nutrients, which offset carbon emissions.
However, poor management of wastewater leads to increased
Abstracting, treating and conveying water in cities can require
methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
a lot of energy, and generating energy sometimes uses a lot
of water. This fundamental resource relationship is called the
Climate change is a direct cause for concern for urban water
water–energy nexus (Olsson, 2015). This concept is expanded
utilities because it can induce severe droughts and floods, affecting
to the water–energy–carbon nexus, introduced here. It brings
groundwater and surface water availability and quality. The utilities’
into the equation the GHG emitted from the way water is
challenges to provide safe water and protect water quality are
managed, and highlights the opportunities to reduce global GHG
compounded by the impacts of climate change, and at the same
emissions and their climate change effects by reducing energy
time utilities might further contribute to increased emissions if a
consumption, producing renewable energy, reducing direct
mind-set shift to low-carbon solutions is not initiated. Business-
emissions from wastewater management and offsetting emissions
as-usual is no longer a viable option: utilities are challenged to
by valorising wastewater by-products (e.g. fertiliser production).
adapt to these impacts but also to champion the transition to a
carbon-neutral future, to avoid compounding their challenges.
+2°C +2°C
N�O N�O
CH� CH�
CO� CO�
Carbon Mitigation Carbon Mitigation

by treating by using renewable
Carbon Emissions Carbon Emissions wastewater with a energy and
from non-optimised from energy when resource recovery producing energy
wastewater produced from approach from biogas or
management fossil fuels wastewater heat
Business A Carbon
as Usual Neutral Future
Energy requirements Carbon Mitigation

for conveyance, by reducing energy
treatment, requirements
heating
Business as usual aggravating the impacts of climate change Low-carbon utilities for a carbon-neutral future
Figure 1. The water–energy–carbon nexus: the GHG emissions from the urban water sector and opportunities to reduce them,
demonstrating the vicious and virtuous cycles above.

The water–energy nexus describes the apparent and complex
interdependent relationship between water and energy
resources. The higher the water use by end users, the higher
the energy use, and then the higher the water use for energy
production, resulting in a vicious cycle and ultimately
in higher carbon emissions (Figure 1). The increase
in carbon emissions contributes to climate change,
which negatively impacts the availability of water
and energy, and shortages in one resource
can directly affect the availability of the
other; hence, the water–energy–carbon Reuse nutrients
Reduce GHG by
nexus. Therefore, without a low-carbon up to 20%
intervention, the vicious water–energy–

carbon cycle will continue and lead to Improve energy
efficiency
unsustainable urban water management. Reduce GHG by

up to 40%
Water
Abstraction
Wastewater
Discharge
Recover energy
Reduce GHG by
The urban water cycle (UWC) has different up to 90%
stages, and the water–energy–carbon

Water Wastewater
nexus plays out at each stage. The Treatment Treatment
roadmap helps water utilities navigate

the water–energy–carbon nexus for the Improve water Treat more
wastewater
whole UWC, identify where inefficiencies efficiency
Reduce GHG by
Water
Distribution
Wastewater
Collection Reduce GHG by
up to 100%
lead to higher carbon emissions, where up to 50%
challenges can be turned into opportunities

for GHG reduction, and how measures can be
implemented, while monitoring performance. Each
urban water system is different in terms of configuration,
Increasingelevations, demands, Keeping water source types,Service
receiving waters, Figure 2. The UWC uses energy at every stage, and emits GHG in the wastewater
Coverage etc.; however,Costs Low approach Performance
the roadmap is beneficial for every stages. There are opportunities to reduce carbon emissions at every stage.
utility. In later• Increase

• Provide fit for purpose sections, the interrelated
water water
• Pressure and energy
management
water & energy efficiency
impacts between stages of the UWC •are Reuse versus river
examined.
• Expand wastewater • Produce energy discharge
treatment • Better data management • Reduce sewer overflows
2. Water utilities have a stake in
• Alternatives to wet
sanitation
addressing the global climate crisis

Utility challenges
Climate changeturned into the availability and
directly impacts
quality of water supplies, posing an increasing burden
low-carbon opportunities
on cities to maintain their water security. Water utilities
are some of the first to cope with the impacts of climate 0.5—6% up to 17% 20%
change leading to water scarcity, water quality and
flooding challenges. However, they also contribute to The amount of the The amount of regional The amount by which
global emissions from energy consumption, as well as regional energy water GHG emission carbon-neutral water
utilities consume contributed management could
nitrous oxide and methane emissions from wastewater
by urban water contribute to globally
management. Water utilities collectively influence up management committed Nationally
to 12% of regional total primary energy consumption. Determined Contributions
The bulk of this energy consumption is attributable to
Improve water water users, Recover
for waterEnergy
heating. Urban water utilities
efficiencythemselves • GHG reduction up to 90%
typically account for 1-2% of total global
• GHG reduction up to 50% Improve
primary energy energy & Webber, 2012; Kenway
use (Sanders
Reuse Nutrients efficiency Figure 3. Utilities can contribute their share to a carbon-neutral future, for more on urban
et al., 2015); and sometimes up to 6% of regional electricity water sector energy use, see Sanders & Webber 2012; Kenway et al. 2015; Liu et al. 2016.
• GHG reduction up to 20% • GHG reduction up to 40%
use (Liu et al. 2016). At the same time, delivering water is
an essential service which relies on water supplies that are
subject to local environmental conditions. These supplies,
such as rivers, reservoirs and lakes, are highly sensitive to
severe events caused by fluctuations in climate. These severe

events regularly make the headlines of global news: droughts
leading to water scarcity, sea level rise leading to saltwater
intrusion, and floods leading to infrastructure damage. All of
these events impact water quality and service performance,
and unfortunately show no sign of slowing
down. Because they are among the first climate
change threats, water utilities have a stake
in becoming the leaders towards proactive
climate change mitigation and adaptation. Business as usual ...
Money +2°C
Through low-carbon, low-energy improvement Loss N�O
measures, urban water utilities reduce CO�

CH�
emissions while supporting adaptation to the Low Energy

Efficiency
impacts of climate change, for example by
reducing water loss. Likewise, when adaptation High GHG
measures are implemented, they can easily Emissions
include opportunities for emissions reduction Lower Water

(e.g. low-energy solutions, water reuse). Quality
This preference towards implementing low- ... is aggravating
Sea Level Rise
carbon, low-energy measures when planning & Flooding the water challenges
necessary improvements follows a mind-set
shift towards a carbon-neutral future. This Water
Scarcity
innovative trend is already embraced by a few
early adopters, but still requires more champions
Reducing
to achieve the global target of maintaining Costs
the average temperature rise below 2°C. Low-carbon
utilities ... High Energy
Efficiency
Urban water utilities tend to have urgent
demands for reaching primary service Service
performance and increasing infrastructure. Performance
Carbon neutrality does not take first priority. Water

Many urban water utilities in emerging Efficiency
economies must meet their service demand for
Recover
growing populations on very low budgets. That Energy
is already a universal challenge, as recognised
by the United Nations SDGs, specifically Reuse
Nutrients
SDG 6 3: Ensure availability and sustainable
management of Water and Sanitation for All. ... are contributing to Increasing
Meeting both global challenges of the 2°C target a low-carbon future Coverage
for global warming and SDG 6 go hand-in-

hand because of common sustainability goals.
However, it requires more than a few small Figure 4. Time is running out to keep our planet stable and
changes to business-as-usual: it requires changing how utilities below a temperature rise of 2°C: taking purposeful decisions now
towards a carbon-neutral future can help avoid future risks.
approach their own strategic planning and role within their
communities and global sector to integrate the carbon-neutral
future mind-set into all actions. The next section proposes a
roadmap that includes guidance for utilities in identifying how
service improvement measures may also lead to lowering their
carbon footprint with the intent to support a global mind-
set shift, towards low-carbon urban water management.
3
Sustainable Development Goal 6; learn more at https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg6

Climate Change Low Carbon
Urbanisation and Higher Utility

Coverage
Challenges Opportunities Capacity
Service Performance
Performance Improvement
Pioneering water utilities

acting
Figure 5. The global water sector mind-set shift to address challenges towards a
as opportunities.
carbon-neutral future
3. Turning challenges The WaCCliM project pilot utilities
are demonstrating and championing
into opportunities the transition to a carbon-neutral future
As described earlier, utilities today are facing current and

emerging water sector challenges. That can generally
be overwhelming when planners first meet to try to
prepare for an uncertain future. However, the same
situation can be viewed from two different angles.
Many utilities already face a need to develop further,
Mexico Peru
beyond their current coverage areas, infrastructure • Energy-efficient pumps • Energy-efficient pumps
capacities and technology levels. Addressing these • Optimised wastewater
treatment
• Sludge management
• Biogas optimisation
service challenges can be seen as an opportunity to also • Increase wastewater
coverage 40% 80%
production
Beneficiaries: 415,000 people
contribute to a carbon-neutral future. Climate financing • Biogas to electricity
to support the global need to adapt to and mitigate 27% GHG reduction* from
water supply systems
the impacts of climate change is also an opportunity to 12% GHG reduction* from
water supply systems
10% GHG reduction* from
wastewater systems
20% GHG reduction* from
improve service performance and utilities’ capacities. wastewater systems
This mind-set of turning challenges into opportunities

is critical to transitioning urban water utilities into
important contributors to climate change mitigation.
Jordan Thailand
• Energy-efficient pumps • Energy-efficient pumps
• Sludge digestion and • Repair sewer system
biogas valorisation
• Water supply network
maintenance and pressure
management 10% GHG reduction* from
wastewater systems
• Photovoltaic panels
15% GHG reduction* in

water supply &
wastewater systems
*The percentages represent the potential GHG reduction through identified measures
Figure 6. How can GHG emissions be reduced through operational improvement

measures? The WaCCliM project pilot facilities demonstrate some first examples.

Part 2:
A Roadmap for Urban Water UtilitiesTurning challenges into

to Transition
low-carbon opportunities
to a Carbon-Neutral Future – Five Iterative Steps
The 5 steps of the Roadmap to a Low-Carbon Urban Water Utility
This part is intended to guide urban water utility managers,
and more generally all urban water stakeholders, through
the iterative steps of implementing change towards Objectives
Drivers
low-carbon. This process is called the ‘roadmap’. Costs
• Service Pe
rformance
• Reducing • Meet Regu
Coverage lations
• Increasing • Wastewater
Efficiency Collection /
• Increasing Wastewater
The roadmap process: an iterative • Leadership
Ch am pio nin
& Recognitio
g Low-Carbo
n for
n Utilities • Drinking Wa
Drinking Wa
Treatment
ter Supply /
National / ter Distributi
approach towards implementing • Contr ibu te
Local Clima
to
te Targets
• Financial
Stability
on
change
The road to a low-carbon, holistic and sustainable future 1
Motivate
begins with identifying drivers that connect the utility’s Action Monitoring results inform
main objectives and low-carbon opportunities. Once the drivers and objectives
this connection is made, the dialogue with the utility’s

stakeholders can start towards initiating the low-carbon
mind-set. To reinforce this connection, it is useful to assess
the utility’s urban water systems, and point out the existing
level of carbon emissions to highlight the highest water and
2
Assess Your
5
Monitor
energy inefficiencies. This process aims to show how reducing System Impact
these inefficiencies may contribute to lowering the GHG
Increasing capacities
footprint. This initial assessment may be performed using supports a sound
assessment
various software tools, or by using the Energy Performance
and Carbon Assessment and Monitoring (ECAM) tool (a free
Carbon emissions and The ability to monitor
tool developed by the WaCCliM project), which allows the water and energy impact supports access to
climate financing
inefficiencies
utility to start the process with basic data, and provides the Aligning opportunities
with the drivers and
utility with a first visualisation of where the biggest benefits objectives
may be. Evaluating opportunities to reduce emissions in

the light of planned improvements is a way to ease into
applying the mind-set shift locally. The implementation 3
Identify
4
Implement
of measures often requires strengthening or developing
Opportunities Measures
enablers such as capacity, financing mechanisms or utility
governance models that enable a low-carbon, holistic
approach to water, wastewater and drainage services.
In a first iteration through the roadmap, utilities often
implement measures without a specific low-carbon objective,
but they can still evaluate the impact of the measure on
Figure 7. The roadmap to low-carbon urban water utilities: an iterative and continuous process.
their carbon footprint by monitoring adequate data.

The five-step approach for utilities to champion a carbon-neutral future
1 1 1
MotivateMotivate
Motivate
2 2 2
Assess Your
Assess Assess
3 3 3
Your Your Identify IdentifyIdentify
4 4 4
Implement
Implement
Implement
5 5 5
Monitor MonitorMonit
Action Action Action System SystemSystem Opportunities
Opportunities
Opportunities MeasuresMeasures
Measures Impact ImpactImpac
Step 1 Motivate Action

This step is about identifying
Step 3 Identify Opportunities Step 4 Implement Measures
objectives and drivers that will be
the basis for any follow-up actions. This step is about identifying where This step is about what is needed actually
taking action is the most promising to to implement measures that will result
address the objectives, while seizing in GHG emissions reductions. It guides
te
2
Assess Your
3
opportunities to reduce GHG emissions.
Eventually reducing carbon emissions 4
will be one of the key objectives,Implement
Identify as we
5
utilities through identifying the enablers
they need to strengthen, such as utility
capacity, existing policies,
Monitor financing
n System Opportunities Measures
already observe in a handful of advanced Impactengagement.
strategies and stakeholder
utilities; however, the approach is to
initially link necessary improvements to
2
Step 2 Assess Your System
This step is about visualising emissions
3 4
opportunities to reduce emissions. Under
this step, the utility is guided through
each stage of the UWC to find out what
5
Monitor
Assess and energy inefficienciesIdentify
Your
and water Implement
System Opportunitiesfactors influence these emissions.
Measures This Impact
using a holistic approach to drinking
deep-dive into the urban water system
water, wastewater and drainage
is intended to educate utilities on all of
systems. It introduces a GHG emissions
the UWC GHG emissions sources, as well Step 5 Monitor Impact
assessment of different levels of
as to support utilities in continuously
precision, depending on the data, with This step is also about visualising
identifying opportunities to reduce
tools such as the ECAM. Facts and emissions, but this time it is also about
emissions and merge objectives after their
figures presented in an informative visualising the impact of the measures
initial iteration of the roadmap process.
way are key to driving further action. implemented. It requires using current
data with the same tools as for the
assessment. Monitoring is used to verify
and measure emissions reductions after
implementation. Demonstrating this
As utilities adopt a low-carbon mind-set and become ‘champions’ of
monitoring capacity is key to accessing
a carbon-neutral future, the idea is that they start to continuously go
climate financing. It will inform the
through these steps as part of a low-carbon programme and as they
new baseline assessment of step 2 for
integrate these steps into their decision processes. As they implement
future iterations through the roadmap.
the approach, they will also be improving their data management, their
assessment, and their own capacity and results each time (see Figure 7).

Now the document will walk through the overall five steps and
elaborate on the examples given above. Further information and Objectives Drivers Opportunities
resources can be found at the WaCCliM Knowledge Platform 4.
• Meet current • Boost overall • Optimise operations

Step 1. Motivate low-carbon action service demands utility capacity
• Reduce water
• Minimise • Maximise service consumption
This step is about identifying objectives and drivers that
operating costs performance
will be the basis for any follow-up actions. It is initiated by • Reuse water
a champion who has led the utility through understanding • Meet environmental • Reduce energy use
standards / and water loss • Biogas valorisation
why water utilities have a stake in taking action towards a
watershed health
carbon-neutral future. This understanding is key to making the • Increase efficiency • Expand wastewater
connections between the objectives and opportunities to meet treatment coverage
• Prepare for future
those objectives while reducing emissions. This step does not climate scenarios • Renewable energy
require planning actions yet, but it does require looking at the
• Meet future
current issues from a different perspective. Even though this
demands of
is a simple thought exercise, it is a powerful tool for driving coverage
change. This is the kind of lasting innovative strategising that is
• Deal with water
necessary to reach a low-carbon, holistic and sustainable future.
scarcity
1.1 The relationship between drivers, objectives, and

Table 1. Some common water utility drivers, objectives and
opportunities in supporting low-carbon actions opportunities. There are more to be discovered during this process.
This section guides utilities through understanding the

relationship between objectives, drivers and enablers to support
the implementation of opportunities to mitigate GHG emissions. 1.2 Drivers push the agenda
Utility objectives mainly refer to the primary objectives, As introduced in section 1.1, drivers are often agenda-driven
which must be met by virtue of being an urban water utility. motivations that spur utilities to action. Whether the utility is
Depending on whether it is a drinking water or wastewater initially successful in addressing these drivers does not directly
utility, these primary objectives include the following: impact their ability to meet basic objectives today. The potential
drivers vary from utility to utility, depending on a wide range of
• meet drinking water demands (production/distribution);
factors, such as adhering to public policies, institutional culture,
• provide adequate wastewater collection and treatment;
current climate change impacts, moving towards the circular
• meet water quality regulations;
economy and improving service performance. Some of the possible
• meet minimum performance criteria
drivers that can align with GHG reduction are outlined below,
(water pressure, fire flow, pipe velocities, etc.);
along with additional challenges that some of the drivers pose.
• ensure a balanced budget.
The utility’s objectives translate into drivers such as reducing

operating costs, improving customer relations or increasing
coverage, and more (refer to next section). The unique objectives
and drivers lead each utility to defining actions needed
to improve towards the objectives. These actions are then
implemented only if the right enablers are in place. A utility,
led by a champion into this roadmap process for the first time,
is unlikely to have ‘reducing carbon emissions’ as one of its
primary objectives. Therefore the entry point for the champion
will be to link the existing drivers to low-carbon opportunities.
4
www.climatesmartwater.org

• Meeting a high service performance level • Increasing coverage
Maintaining or increasing service levels is the main mission Water utilities should strive to provide reliable access to water
of all utilities, and the standards are usually set by regulation and sanitation for all residents within their service areas, in
authorities. This can be achieved while reducing the water, accordance with SDG 6. Therefore, expanding their services and
energy and carbon footprints per resident receiving service. The increasing the coverage area of wastewater treatment is always
productive interaction with, and education of, customers is an a priority. Expansion can also contribute to GHG reduction
important component of successful service. as a result of reduced discharge of untreated wastewater
into receiving water bodies. The reduction of GHG emissions
• Operational cost
through expanding coverage and service is an additional
There are many water utilities actively seeking new
environmental benefit to future projects, complementary
opportunities to reduce their operating costs. As energy makes
to improving public health and biodiversity. This aspect is
up most of a water utility’s costs, reducing energy consumption
particularly important for seeking help from international
is the key driver in reducing GHG emissions. Similarly, reducing
financing entities, which are specifically looking for multiple
water losses in the drinking water system and infiltration
environmental benefits per project.
and inflow in sewers is another key driver for GHG reduction
because pumping and treating more water than is needed • Challenge to achieve higher wastewater coverage –
increases energy consumption and costs. Expanding wastewater coverage not only improves public
health and biodiversity, but also reduces GHG emissions
• Challenge to reduce energy costs through conservation
generated from the direct discharge of untreated
and renewable energy – With an average of 10–35% of an
wastewater. It is also an opportunity for growth in a
urban water utility’s operating expenditure going towards
city as cities cannot thrive without proper water and
the energy bills, a strong driver to action is reducing
sanitation.
energy costs through initial energy conservation. This
can also be achieved through the production and use • Water utility culture
of renewable energy, which is a solution that may bring This refers to the overall mentality and approach a water utility
utilities to energy neutrality and therefore drastically cut has towards providing water services. Utilities can already
emissions. be forward thinking, innovative, i.e. adopting and open to
the mind-set shift, or they can be currently focused only on
• Overall utility efficiency
meeting the basic needs and business-as-usual. Therefore,
Many utilities have several key performance indicators that they
the pre-existing culture of the water utilities influences
try to meet in an effort to maximise the overall utility efficiency.
their priorities and can function as an indirect driver of GHG
In some cases, water utilities are ranked on the basis of these
emissions reduction.
indicators by different government agencies, thereby providing
an additional incentive to be more efficient. Therefore, overall • Climate change impacts
water utility efficiency is a natural driver for GHG mitigation, Many water utilities are already dealing with the effects of
because these indicators often examine energy and water loss, water scarcity and more frequent, higher magnitude drought
and these efficiency rates impact the utility’s GHG emissions. and flooding events. All of these events negatively impact the
availability and quality of water in water supplies and receiving
• Challenge to increase water efficiency
waters. Therefore, implementing measures such as water reuse
As mentioned previously, the less drinking water that is lost
(for water scarcity) and green infrastructure (for flooding) is
from pipes before reaching customers, and the less water
initially done out of necessity, and not primarily to reduce
that enters sewers, the lower the energy consumption and
GHG emissions. However, addressing these crises presents the
treatment costs for water utilities. Likewise, the shift in natural
prime opportunity to link the utility’s drivers to GHG reduction
water supply availability as a result of climate change and
because measures to address these crises can also help reduce
the pressures of growing urban populations will force water
GHG emissions.
utilities to make the most of available resources through
conservation, reducing water loss, infiltration and inflow, and • Challenge to secure water against climate change –
water reuse. Pressing needs for adaptation to deal with water
scarcity, intense rain events and population growth are
• Challenge to meet agreed upon targets
intensifying in many parts of the world. Smarter adaption
Governments, cities and industries in many countries have
to these constraints can be facilitated using the roadmap
committed to achieving GHG emission reduction targets, and
approach proposed here.
the water sector has a large role to play in meeting these
targets. Relevant to addressing urban growth and meeting the
• Anticipating GHG emissions reduction goals/regulations
SDGs, investments to improve existing systems’ efficiencies
The current awareness of a utility towards GHG emissions
and expand wastewater treatment services are required. It is
reduction is largely dependent upon whether voluntary or
anticipated that increasing regulatory pressure will catalyse
mandatory GHG reduction targets have been implemented
new investments for utilities to improve service and work
by their government at any level. For example, New York City
towards carbon neutrality in the near future.
has a local law requiring its city agencies to reduce their

GHG emissions by 80% by 2050, the 80×50 initiative 5. As it Step 2. Assess your system:
is a city agency, the water utility is acutely aware of its GHG
emissions and is always looking for opportunities to reduce
where do your GHG emissions stand?
them. Therefore, government regulations and initiatives can
This step is about visualising emissions and water and
catalyse operational improvements and be an important driver
energy inefficiencies using a holistic approach across
for solutions.
the whole UWC. Facts and figures presented in an
• Maintaining a healthy water environment informative way are key to driving further action.
Whether it is for public health, biodiversity, tourism, local
economy, recreation, real estate or quality of life, maintaining 2.1 The basis of a useful baseline assessment
healthy water bodies around cities is an important goal every
utility should have. This represents another key driver for GHG The purpose of performing a baseline assessment of a water
emissions reduction through the expansion and improvement utility’s GHG emissions is to set the starting reference point,
of wastewater treatment coverage. against which the water utility can compare reductions from
future scenarios and from implemented measures to demonstrate
These are just some examples of the common drivers of water progress towards the goals. The baseline assessment results are
utilities around the globe that can propel action towards a visualisation of the existing situation, or of the baseline year if
improvements and align with climate mitigation outcomes. in the past, drawn on the basis of key facts and figures relating
Following this logic, it is important for water utilities to to energy and the type and quality of operations. The quality and
identify what their top drivers are first, and then to see accuracy of this visualisation relies on the data used. Before diving
how those can align with actions that also offer promising further into the methodology, an overview on the benefits of
opportunities to reduce GHG emissions. As mentioned good data management and baseline assessment are discussed.
before, these also need to align with enablers, which are
further discussed under Step 4: Implementing Actions. Data management is a key consideration for GHG assessment.
There can be lots of data available; however, without a strategy
and tool to produce valuable information, it is hard to make
decisions that are both effective and sustainable. Even if the
initial assessment is done with approximate data with the
mind-set of raising awareness, it is important to then refine
this assessment to understand the actual baseline emissions
of the individual water utility, otherwise reporting on impact
is impossible. In addition to providing a means to report
on results, this refined assessment can result in immediate
benefits from basic improvements, such as repairing leaks or
changing pump operation. However, before reaching this point,
the utility must address its own current data management
practices, and whether there is room for improvement.
The baseline assessment and future assessments rely on a

sound data management framework. Without an organised
framework to facilitate continued assessment beyond the
first trial, implementation of the WaCCliM approach would
either not take place or eventually cease because of the
effort required to collect good data each time an assessment
is needed. In this chapter, the general methodology needed
to assess emissions and the steps to develop a utility-
specific framework for regular assessment, including data
management and use of software tools, is presented.
5
Read more about the initiative here: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/sustainability/codes/80x50.page

2.2 Introduction to general methodology 2.3.1 The ECAM tool
The general methodology for beginning assessment, which The ECAM tool was developed under the WaCCliM project to
supports Step 3 – Identify Opportunities is outlined below. assess and monitor the GHG emissions of water utilities. As climate
change is a global problem, the ECAM tool is meant for use by
• Assess what data is currently available within the utility and
all water utilities. However, understanding that data availability
in what format i.e. time frequency and time coverage of current
may be limited in some emerging economies, defaults for various
data profile.
aspects were developed to facilitate assessments. Looking to the
• Introduction to ECAM (see glossary) tool through training. future, this tool also includes the option to input more data over
time as the level of data management for the utility increases,
• Start using the tool by:
using a tiered approach. The flexibility of this tool allows a refined
1. Collecting data from the identified sources
assessment of emissions sources and opportunities to reduce
and ensuring data quality.
them, as described in the following section. The tool is based
2. Inputting data into the selected tool.
on IPCC methodology, has open-source code and is free to use
3. Performing a baseline assessment for the individual
for all. The first step in developing and implementing a utility-
utility, reviewing results, and identifying largest
specific framework for GHG data management and assessment
emissions source.
is learning how to use 7 the ECAM tool and the methodology 8
• Map the utility’s most important objectives and drivers, but also behind it. This will help in developing the necessary technical
the opportunities for improvement measures and the enablers capacity, understanding what data are needed to run the tool
(e.g. financing or training opportunities) that are already known and identifying which processes are necessary to transfer data
to the utility. These elements will be key to informing and from the sources to the ECAM tool. The specific applications
orienting the identification of measures that both address the of the tool include baseline assessments, monitoring, and
objectives and contribute to a lower carbon footprint. These evaluating opportunities for mitigating GHG emissions.
elements are also likely to change as a utility goes through
several iterations of the roadmap process.
• Develop a data management and assessment framework based

upon the utility’s current capacity and towards future data
needs.
This methodology is elaborated in the subsequent sections. For

more information on this process, visit the Knowledge Platform 6.
2.3 Beginning assessment: critical components
The following are critical components

needed to begin assessment:
• Data management capacity and coherent processes;

• ECAM tool.
Without these components, assessment of overall GHG emissions

cannot take place. For the first assessment, the utility should
compile what data it currently has in the format it typically
uses. Any future data needs or process adjustments can be
Figure 8. The ECAM software tool as it appears on a computer.
planned for in further framework development; however,
this is not necessary to begin an initial assessment.
6
7
Manual found here: http://climatesmartwater.org/library/introduction-to-ecam/
8
Methodology found here: http://climatesmartwater.org/library/ecam-methodology/

2.3.2 Data management framework: • Central Data Repository
what is needed going forward In general, the recommended course of action is to leverage
existing data processes, and either enter the pre-existing data
Without a comprehensive data framework including the saved in existing places or electronic files, such as Microsoft
procedures for collecting and inputting accurate data into Excel files, into a central data repository, where the data can
the tool, the extent to which the WaCCliM approach can be be frequently updated and accessed for performing GHG
implemented will be very limited. Some proposed steps in assessment on a continuous basis.
building this framework are outlined below, with further detailed
• Recommended framework construction
information in Annex II and the Knowledge Platform. It is highly
Once the recommended data processes for relaying current
recommended for efficient data collection and tool use that, after
data from the data sources to the central repository are
the utility identifies the most optimal opportunities from an initial
identified, it is recommended implementing the framework
assessment, the framework is centred around data collection
as illustrated and described in an example on the Knowledge
and tool use focused on maximising these opportunities. This
Platform11, where the data can be frequently updated and
can save time and resources towards planning the measures
accessed for performing GHG assessment on a continuous basis.
that may provide the utility with the most benefits over time.
The overall framework presented is generalised; however, in

• Data quality / Process review
actual applications, specific data processes will be required
A crucial step in performing assessment and constructing a
to support implementation of the framework. The specific
data framework is performing a data quality and process review.
data processes will be dependent on the individual utility’s
An example such as the WaCCliM data quality/process matrix
current data management, resources and overall capacity.
(see Knowledge Platform) 9 demonstrates a complete example
A recommended framework together with the specific data
of identifying and evaluating the various data available for
processes can be refined, adapted and improved as the utility’s
estimating GHG emissions.
capacity (i.e. hardware, software, staff expertise, etc.) increases
• Data priority / Quality survey over time. Therefore, the framework is flexible and is intended to
The next step in developing a data framework is performing a facilitate use of software such as the ECAM tool for generating
data priority/quality survey. This is done to check any pressing baseline assessments. Once the baseline assessment is done,
data limitations, as identified in the data quality/process matrix, it is possible to move onto evaluating opportunities.
against the daily operational priorities of the utilities.
• GHG Reduction Analysis Data Requirements

Data required for GHG reduction studies are generally more
detailed and collected at a higher frequency than other studies,
as they are intended to give some insight on the dynamics of
the urban water system that impact GHG emissions. The data
may also not directly relate to variables used for estimating
GHG emissions. A comprehensive summary of data that can
be used in GHG reduction analysis may be found on the
Knowledge Platform 10.
9
Search for WaCCliM data quality/process matrix in www.climatesmartwater.org/assess
10
Search for Summary of GHG Reducation Analysis Data on www.climatesmartwater.org/assess
11
Search for Recommended GHG Data Management and Mitigation Framework in www.climatesmartwater.org/assess

Step 3. Identify opportunities
This step is about identifying where taking action is the most
Increasing Increasing Keeping Service
promising to address objectives, while seizing opportunities Efficiency Coverage Costs Low Performance
to reduce GHG emissions. Opportunities to take action are • Smarter pumping • Provide fit for purpose
water
• Increase water
& energy efficiency
• Pressure management
• Reduce infiltration • Reuse versus river
linked to their ability to deliver on the utility’s objectives. and inflow
• Invest in water source
• Expand wastewater
treatment
• Produce energy
• Better data management
discharge
• Reduce sewer overflows
Eventually reducing carbon emissions will be one of the protections • Alternatives to wet
sanitation
objectives, as we already observe in a handful of advanced

utilities; however, until then, the approach is to link necessary Utility challenges turned into
improvements to opportunities to reduce emissions. In section low-carbon opportunities
3.3, the utility is guided through each stage of the UWC to 0.5—6%
find out what factors influence these emissions. This deep- The amount of the
dive in the urban water system is intended to support utilities regional energy water
utilities consume
in their second or third iteration of the roadmap process.
3.1 Addressing utility challenges Improve water

efficiency
Recover Energy
• GHG reduction up to 90%
with low-carbon solutions • GHG reduction up to 50% Improve energy

Reuse Nutrients efficiency
• GHG reduction up to 20% • GHG reduction up to 40%
Central to the WaCCliM approach is looking at challenges not

simply as hurdles to overcome, but rather as opportunities for
growth and capacity development and applying low-carbon
Figure 9. The opportunities that can arise from challenges and addressing initial drivers.
measures. Even without the catalysing effect of climate
change on industry innovation, water utilities are constantly
The ECAM tool outputs the amount of GHG emissions produced by
faced with the need to improve services. This drives them
the utility at each stage of the UWC. The summary from the ECAM
forward to take on technological advancements and new
tool quickly identifies which stage is the highest contributor and
strategies not previously used. Operational optimisation
from which source. However, each stage needs individual review
encompasses a wide range of actions which usually leads to
afterwards, because it might not be feasible to mitigate emissions
energy and water efficiency and GHG emissions reduction.
from every source. The utility should target the highest sources of
emissions first, which are also feasible to mitigate in a first round
3.2 Introduction to general methodology
of implementation and aligned with meeting utility objectives
and drivers. For ideas on finding solutions at each stage, the
Following the development of a data framework in the
WaCCliM Knowledge Platform 12 can be consulted. Furthermore,
previous section, this step is about starting the journey to real
other tools can be used to assess the performance of the utility,
application and results. First, the new framework can be applied
where it can improve and whether these improvements can
to generate the initial and subsequent baseline assessments or
lead to GHG reduction. For example, a tool such as a wastewater
monitoring results, which show the current GHG emissions for
treatment process model can be used to identify treatment process
the entire UWC of the utility. The assessments will also point
improvements, and then those process improvements can be
out the promising opportunities that address both the utility’s
further assessed in ECAM to quantify the GHG reduction benefits.
drivers and GHG reduction goals. The following methodology
for evaluating opportunities along this path is proposed:
Once it is clear where the most promising opportunities are
• technical assessment via a tool; in meeting operational improvements, maintenance and GHG
• review current capital improvement and master plans to reduction, planned capital improvements should be reviewed. This
identify opportunities; is important because there may already be overlap between the
• review promising opportunities with other urban water new opportunities identified through the baseline assessment and
stakeholders; what is already being planned by the utility. When these overlaps
• assess feasibility and cost–benefit of measures over time. occur, it is fortunate because there may already be financing
available for a project. Similarly, a review of measures involving
As this roadmap is universally applicable, while also
other urban stakeholders is useful, because shared goals can
being geared towards utilities in emerging economies,
lead to a combined project, which is more likely to qualify for
the following section assumes that a utility is or will be
external funding at either the national or international level.
using a software tool, such as ECAM, for assessment. More
detail on ECAM tool use for this step is given below.
12
Search for Annex of Solutions at www.climatesmartwater.org

3.3 Understanding the emissions: what influencing
factors exist at each stage of the UWC
The UWC describes the life cycle when water is taken from
the natural environment and cycled through man-made
cities, then sent back to natural water bodies. The
UWC begins at the water source of a city, which can
be from sources such as surface water (lakes,
reservoirs, rivers), groundwater, seawater,
rainwater, reclaimed water or any combination
thereof. From the source, water is abstracted
for potable water supply through the drinking
water abstraction stage. Then it is conveyed
to the drinking water treatment stage, which,
depending on the source and standards, will
involve a wide range of treatment techniques Wastewater
Discharge
from chemical addition or disinfection, to
conventional filtration and even reverse
osmosis. After the drinking water treatment Water
Abstraction
Wastewater
Collection
stage, the water is delivered to end users during

the drinking water distribution stage. After use,
the water enters wastewater collection, and
Water Wastewater
Treatment Treatment
then the wastewater treatment stage. After

wastewater treatment, the water passes to the
discharge/reuse stage where it either enters back into Water
Distribution
Recycled Water
Distribution
the waterways and is ultimately reintroduced into the

natural water cycle, or is recycled and reused. As the UWC End User Recycled Water
Treatment
is man-made, it requires various kinds of electromechanical Treated water
equipment to manage, such as engines, pumps, motors, blowers, Recycled water
Wastewater
mixers and the fuel/electricity to operate this equipment. The
Figure 10. The various stages of the UWC
use of all this equipment contributes to GHG emissions during and the energy use, water loss and GHG
each stage of the cycle. Furthermore, there are chemical and emissions that can occur during them. GHG emissions Water loss Energy use
biochemical reactions taking place during the decomposition

of wastewater, which also results in the production of GHG
emissions at the end of the cycle. Figure 10 provides a graphical
representation of the UWC and its related GHG emissions sources.
The next section presents each stage of the UWC and investigates
the potential sources of emissions from each of them, and the
factors that can influence the volume of emissions at each
stage. This process will help in understanding where the highest
sources of emissions are, and how they can be addressed
effectively later. More details on solutions are available on
the Knowledge Platform at ClimateSmartWater.org.

3.3.1 Drinking water abstraction 3.3.2 Drinking water treatment
Depending on the type, distance and elevation of a city’s water The GHG emissions from the drinking water treatment stage
source(s), GHG emissions from the drinking water abstraction depend on the type of treatment and electromechanical
stage are typically generated by energy consumption for the equipment used to operate the treatment facilities, such as
pumping of water from the source to the treatment facility. pumps, motors, blowers, mixers, flocculators, etc. In most cases,
In most cases, the GHG emissions are indirect emissions from the GHG emissions in the drinking water treatment stage are
importing grid electricity to run pumps; however, there can also be indirect emissions from importing grid electricity to operate the
direct GHG emissions (methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide) electromechanical equipment; however, just as in the case of
from fuel consumption/combustion for powering the pump drinking water abstraction, there can be direct GHG emissions
engines or equipment via emergency generators. If the source is from fuel consumption/combustion for engines driving the
surface water and above the elevation of the city, it is possible pumps or powering equipment with emergency generators.
that the water can be transported to treatment using gravity Typically during conventional filtration, which is the most
instead of pumps, in which case there would be no additional common treatment type for surface water supplies, most energy
GHG emissions. Other key factors that impact the GHG emissions consumption is due to pumping and filter backwash operations.
in the drinking water abstraction stage include the following. In seawater reverse osmosis, most energy consumption is
due to pumping through high-pressure membranes. However,
• Drinking water demanded by end users
some systems, usually groundwater supplies, may only need
The higher the drinking water demand, the more water
to be disinfected, so the energy consumption during actual
needing to be abstracted. This leads to a potentially higher
treatment is minimal. Key factors that impact GHG emissions
energy consumption from pumping and transporting water to
in the drinking water treatment stage include the following.
the drinking water treatment facility. The end user’s demand
and how they use drinking water directly impacts the GHG • Drinking water demanded by end users
emissions. Therefore, the less drinking water demanded, the The more drinking water that is demanded, the more water
less GHG emissions generated from the abstraction stage. that has to be treated. The end user’s demand and how they use
drinking water impacts the GHG emissions. Therefore, the less
• Water loss
drinking water demanded, the less GHG emissions generated
By virtue of how drinking water systems are operated, which
from the treatment stage.
is to maintain certain pressures or storage tank levels, any
water loss in the system will require more energy to replace it • Water loss
and maintain adequate pressures in the system. Therefore, the By virtue of how drinking water systems are operated, which is
less water loss throughout the entire drinking water system, to maintain certain pressures or storage tank levels, any water
the less water that needs to be abstracted and the less GHG loss in the system will require more energy later to replace and
emissions generated from the abstraction stage. treat the water for end users. Therefore, the less water loss in
the system, the less water that must be treated and the less
• Pump efficiency GHG emissions generated from the treatment stage.
Assuming the volume of water and pump head conditions are
• Pump efficiency
optimum, the pump efficiency dictates the energy consumption,
and the GHG emissions of the abstraction system. Therefore,
optimum, the pump efficiency of treatment system pumps can
the higher the pump efficiency, the less GHG emissions
dictate the energy consumption and GHG emissions. Therefore,
generated from the abstraction stage. Changing climate and
the higher the pump efficiency, the less GHG emissions
population conditions will put a greater strain on current
generated from the treatment stage. Changing climate and
pumps since water will have to be pumped over a greater time
population conditions will put a greater strain on current
and possibly distance. This will make the efficiency even more
pumps since water will have to be pumped over a greater time
critical over time.
and possibly distance. This will make the efficiency even more
critical over time.

• Filter backwashing sequence 3.3.3 Drinking water distribution
How the filter backwash sequence is initiated in conventional
filtration can affect the frequency of backwashing. The more Depending on the distance and elevation of the end users
times that filters are backwashed, the more energy consumed in relation to the treatment facilities, GHG emissions in the
during the process. Therefore, it is critical to optimise the drinking water distribution stage will typically be related to
backwashing sequence, such that filters are not excessively energy consumption for the delivery of drinking water from the
backwashed. The more optimal the sequence, the less GHG facilities to the end users. This stage usually requires pumping
emissions generated from the treatment stage. within the distribution system network to deliver water to end
users at the minimum required pressure. The minimum required
• Membrane process pressure varies by region: in highly urbanised areas with very tall
In seawater reverse osmosis, the transmembrane pressure buildings, the pressure is greater. In most cases, the GHG emissions
typically regulates the energy required for pumping seawater are indirect emissions from using grid electricity to run pumps;
through the membrane in desalination. Owing to the nature of however, just as in the case of drinking water abstraction and
the process, the raw water salinity, and the required permeate treatment stages, there can be direct GHG emissions from fuel
salinity, the energy consumption for seawater reverse osmosis consumption/combustion for engines or emergency generators
tends to be significantly higher than for conventional drinking driving the pumps. If the drinking water treatment takes place
water treatment. However, the configuration and control of above the elevation of the city, it is possible that the water can
the process, as well as the types of membrane used, can be be transported to the end users by gravity only, avoiding extra
optimised to minimise energy consumption and GHG emissions. emissions. Other key factors that impact the GHG emissions in
The more optimal the process, the less GHG emissions the drinking water distribution stage include the following.
generated from the treatment stage.
• Drinking water demanded by end users
• Ultraviolet disinfection
As in the case for the previous two stages, the amount of
Ultraviolet disinfection and how it is operated, controlled,
drinking water demanded impacts the GHG emissions of the
and maintained can have an impact on the GHG emissions
drinking water distribution stage. The more drinking water that
from energy consumption. In general, the higher the volume
is demanded, the more drinking water that has to be distributed
of water treated, and the higher the ultraviolet disinfection
and pumped to the customers. The end users impact the GHG
dose, the higher GHG emissions generated from the ultraviolet
emissions. Therefore, the less drinking water demanded, the
disinfection process. However, the dose (as impacted by
less GHG emissions generated from the distribution stage.
water turbidity), control and maintenance can be optimised
to minimise these emissions, while still meeting minimum
• Water loss
disinfection requirements.
By virtue of how drinking water systems are operated, which is
to maintain certain pressures or storage tank levels, any water
loss in the system will require more energy to replace the same
water to the end users. Therefore, the less water loss in the
system, the less GHG emissions generated from the distribution
stage.
• Pump efficiency
Assuming the volume of water and pump head conditions
are optimum, the pump efficiency can dictate the energy
consumption and GHG emissions of the distribution system.
Therefore, the higher the pump efficiency, the less GHG
emissions generated from the distribution stage. Changing
climate and population conditions will put a greater strain
on current pumps since water will have to be pumped over a
greater time and possibly distance. This will make the efficiency
even more critical over time.

3.3.4 Wastewater collection 3.3.5 Wastewater treatment
The GHG emissions related to the wastewater collection stage In many cases, indirect carbon dioxide emissions from grid
can include (but are not limited to) indirect carbon dioxide electricity consumption to power electromechanical equipment,
emissions from grid electricity consumption for wastewater such as pumps, blowers, mixers, and screens, needed for various
pumping with electric motors, and/or direct GHG emissions from wastewater treatment unit operations, make up most of a WWTP’s
fuel consumption for engine-driven or powered pumps. The GHG emissions. Typically, the aeration process is the most energy
energy consumption for pumping is dependent on the amount intensive. Therefore, opportunities to optimise the aeration
of wastewater pumped, as well as the distance and elevation system and control should be evaluated whenever possible,
of the end users in relation to the wastewater treatment plant assuming that the air supply is controllable and dissolved oxygen
(WWTP). Methane (is produced by methanogenesis when there can be measured in short time intervals throughout the day. In
are anaerobic conditions in sewers (Guisasola et al., 2008), some cases, nitrous oxide, which is produced from biological
and emitted downstream wherever there might be stripping of nitrogen removal processes, impacts the WWTP’s carbon footprint
methane from the liquid to the air. Generally, long detention significantly because of its higher global warming potential
times in the sewers leads to a greater risk of methane production (300 times that of carbon dioxide). Therefore, reducing nitrous
and emissions (Foley et al., 2010). Methane emissions have oxide emissions through process optimisation is a high priority
a significantly higher global warming potential than carbon whenever feasible. Read more on nitrous oxide and how it is
dioxide, so it should become a high priority when possible to produced in the ECAM methodology, available on the Knowledge
minimise detention times in the collection system, whether those Platform 13. There is the potential for additional methane
systems are gravity or pressure, to reduce methane emissions. emissions from the incomplete flaring of biogas during anaerobic
Although some studies have reported nitrous oxide emissions digestion, non-well managed activated sludge systems, leaking
to be significant from sewers (Short et al., 2014), the conditions biogas piping and sludge storage. Direct emissions of carbon
leading to nitrous oxide emissions in sewers are still not very dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide from the fuel consumption/
well understood. Other key factors that impact the GHG emissions combustion for engine-driven pumps and blowers can also
in the wastewater collection stage include the following. occur. Methane and nitrous oxide are emitted from sludge
disposal off-site, with emission volumes depending on the
• Drinking water demanded by end users sludge disposal method and the type of sludge (i.e. undigested
The more drinking water demanded and used by households, and digested). Other key factors that impact GHG emissions
the more water is then drained into sewers and in some in the wastewater treatment stage include the following.
cases later pumped. Furthermore, the more wastewater in the
sewer, the greater the possibility for methane production and • Drinking water demanded by end users
emission. The end users’ demand impacts the GHG emissions. The more water that is demanded and used, the more
Therefore, the less drinking water demanded, the less GHG wastewater needing to be treated in the system. The end users
emissions generated from the wastewater collection stage. impact the GHG emissions of the wastewater treatment stage
by how much and how they use their drinking water. Therefore,
• Pump efficiency
the less drinking water demanded, the less GHG emissions
Assuming the volume of water and pump head conditions
generated from the wastewater treatment stage.
are optimum, the pump efficiency can dictate the energy
consumption and GHG emissions of the collection system. • Pump efficiency
Therefore, the higher the pump efficiency, the less GHG Assuming the volume of water and pump head conditions are
emissions generated from the wastewater collection stage. optimum, the pump efficiency dictates the energy consumption
and GHG emissions of wastewater treatment. Therefore, the
• Infiltration and inflow
higher the pump efficiency, the less GHG emissions generated
In the case of sewers systems which require pumping, the
from the wastewater treatment stage.
more infiltration and inflow there is into the collection system,
the more energy consumption needed to pump the additional • Infiltration and inflow
water. Therefore, the less infiltration and inflow, the less GHG The more infiltration and inflow there is into the collection
emissions generated from the wastewater collection stage. system and conveyed to the WWTP, the more energy used to
process the additional water that has entered the system.
• Direct discharge of untreated wastewater
Therefore, the less infiltration and inflow, the less GHG
The direct discharge of untreated wastewater can create
emissions generated from the wastewater treatment stage.
methane and nitrous oxide emissions in receiving waters.
This occurs when not all of the wastewater is collected and
conveyed to the WWTP. Therefore, increasing the coverage area
of wastewater treatment, by collecting and conveying more
wastewater to the WWTP, can reduce or eliminate these GHG
emissions. 13
ECAM Methodology found here: http://climatesmartwater.org/library/ecam-methodology/

• The level of treatment 3.3.6 Wastewater discharge/reuse
The more stringent levels of treatment required (generally
based on the water quality of the receiving waters), the more If effluent from the WWTP is returned to the environment
GHG emissions generated from mainly energy consumption and discharged to a receiving water body, then the resulting
for aeration. Therefore, the less stringent levels of treatment GHG emissions are due to pumping. Pumping is required
required, the less GHG emissions generated from the on the basis of elevation and distance from the discharge
wastewater treatment stage. point to the WWTP. Additionally, nitrous oxide is emitted
from nitrogen discharged 14 into the effluent of the WWTP.
• Ammonia load and aeration control
If the WWTP effluent is reused instead, then the resulting
The diurnal ammonia loads coming to the WWTP and how
GHG emissions will be dependent on the following.
the aeration is controlled for ammonia removal (when it
is required) can have a significant impact on both energy 1. The type of treatment required is based on the
consumption and nitrous oxide emissions. Depending on type of reuse, and the electromechanical equipment
the ammonia concentrations/loads, too much or too little required, such as pumps, motors, blowers, mixers, and
dissolved oxygen can result in high nitrous oxide production ultraviolet units.
and emissions. The control of dissolved oxygen in biological
2. The distance and volume of water either pumped
reactors is fundamental. Therefore, an appropriate dissolved
or delivered by truck to reuse customers. If the type
oxygen concentration can lessen GHG emissions generated
of reuse is indirect or direct potable reuse, the energy
from the wastewater treatment stage.
consumption is the highest because of the energy-
• Chemical oxygen demand/total nitrogen (COD/N) ratio intensive membrane filtration/reverse osmosis process
The COD/N ratio in wastewater can influence the nitrous oxide required.
emissions from heterotrophic denitrification. A low COD/N
ratio resulting from carbon-limited wastewater can inhibit the Other key factors that impact the GHG emissions of
reduction steps necessary to reducing nitrate to nitrogen gas the discharge/reuse stage include the following.
during denitrification. When the COD/N ratio is low, nitrous
oxide, which is an intermediate in this process, can accumulate • Reuse water demanded by end users
and be emitted rather than being reduced to nitrogen gas. The more reuse water that is demanded, the more wastewater
Adding external carbon in this case can help both the nitrogen effluent needing to be treated and/or delivered. The end users
removal process and to minimise nitrous oxide emissions. impact the GHG emissions of the discharge/reuse stage by
how they use water. Therefore, the less reuse water demanded,
• Biogas production/valorisation the less GHG emissions generated from the discharge/reuse
Whether biogas is produced and valorised to off-set grid stage. However, there are generally more offsetting benefits if
electricity consumption or engine fuel has a significant impact water is reused in terms of water security and/or reduced GHG
on the WWTP carbon footprint. Therefore, the more biogas emissions.
produced and used as energy, the less GHG emissions from the
wastewater treatment stage. • Pump efficiency
• Onsite treatment optimum, the pump efficiency dictates the energy consumption
For residents not receiving wastewater treatment services from and GHG emissions. Therefore, the higher the pump efficiency,
the water utility, they must rely on their own onsite treatment, the less GHG emissions generated from the discharge/reuse
such as septic tanks, and these will produce additional GHG stage.
emissions. The volume of emissions varies depending on
• Infiltration and inflow
the type of treatment and how well the treatment system is
The more infiltration and inflow into the collection system and
maintained and serviced. Therefore, the better the maintenance
conveyed to the WWTP, the more energy used to discharge the
on onsite systems, the less GHG emissions from the wastewater
additional water if pumping is required. Therefore, the less
treatment stage.
infiltration and inflow, the less GHG emissions generated from
the discharge/reuse stage.
To summarise the detailed information presented here, the

emissions overview table on the Knowledge Platform 15
demonstrates the potential GHG emissions sources throughout
the UWC for water utilities and their various influencing factors.
14
See ECAM Methodology: http://climatesmartwater.org/library/ecam-methodology/
15
Search for Emissions Overview Table on ClimateSmartWater.org

Water Water Water Wastewater Wastewater Wastewater
abstraction treatment distribution collection treatment discharge / reuse
Scope 1 - Direct emissions
CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions from

truck transport of water (drinking
water, wastewater, reuse water)
º
CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions

from on-site engine stationary
fossil fuel combustion
CH4 from sewers or biological

wastewater treatment º
N2O from sewers or biological
wastewater treatment º
Scope 2 - Indirect emissions
Indirect emissions
from electric use
Scope 3 - Other indirect emissions
Emissions from the manufacture

/ transport of chemicals º º
Emissions from the
construction materials used º º º º º º
CH4 and N2O emissions
from collected wastewater
discharge without treatment
CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions from

truck transport of sludge off-site
CH4 and N2O from sludge

management
N2O emissions from effluent

discharge in receiving waters
Emissions not quantified in the

º ECAM tool, even though they exist
Emissions quantified in the ECAM tool
Table 2. Direct and indirect emissions at each stage of the UWC.

3.4 Impacts compounded across stages 3.5 The need for a holistic and discerning approach
As water moves through each stage of the UWC, there are From a closer look at each stage of the UWC, it is clear that all
GHG emissions impacts that compound, magnify and interact stages are interconnected and dependent on influencing factors.
between stages. Water utilities can better navigate the UWC Therefore, the only way to effectively approach management of
by implementing various solutions to minimise not only GHG this cycle is to view it holistically, meaning considering all parts
emissions at each stage, but their compounded effects as well. By of the whole at one time. Taking this approach will facilitate
far the most influencing factor on UWC final emissions is how the accurate decision making when assessing opportunities for
end users consume and use drinking water and the total volume improvement and the best solution that also reduces GHG
used for different purposes. The effects from water demanded emissions. A holistic approach firstly considers how a proposed
by end users can trickle through the whole UWC, all the way solution can address a priority challenge the utility is facing, then
from drinking water abstraction to wastewater discharge/reuse. examines the impact that solution can have on other parts of the
In the case of water reuse, offsets exist for some of the GHG system, including the overall emissions. Furthermore, a holistic
emissions, depending on how the water is reused and whether approach considers the contextual trade-offs of each solution.
it replaces drinking water for non-potable purposes. If water For example, desalination, direct potable reuse and indirect
reuse replaces drinking water for non-potable purposes, such as potable reuse can each be viable solutions for supplementing
irrigation, then the emissions related to drinking water abstraction, existing supplies and mitigating water scarcity; however, they
treatment and distribution can be avoided. Furthermore, normally generate a higher carbon footprint due to their energy-
there would be less nitrous oxide emissions in receiving intensive processes. This impact could be mitigated with the
waters because less effluent from the WWTP is discharged. substitution of renewable energy instead. A successful holistic
planning process will consider the trade-offs and try to minimise
What happens in one stage impacts other stages of the UWC, and or offset drawbacks when selecting solutions to implement.
these impacts can compound GHG emissions either in previous
stages, and/or later stages. As noted, water loss in the drinking Another example is biogas production. A holistic approach
water distribution system can impact the GHG emissions of will consider each of the following factors if a WWTP
drinking water abstraction, drinking water treatment and drinking is currently not producing biogas, and is considering
water distribution. Infiltration and inflow in the wastewater adding anaerobic digestion to produce biogas.
collection system not only impacts the wastewater collection
system, but also the wastewater treatment and discharge/reuse • The addition of anaerobic digestion requires a significant
stages; this is because the more water that enters the collection amount of energy for pumping, mixing and sludge heating. If
system, the more water is conveyed to the WWTP and discharged. the biogas is valorised, the energy recovered should offset the
energy required for the biogas production itself; but if it is not
considered, the benefits may be less than expected.
• The digestion of sludge will also reduce the amount

of sludge disposed off-site, which reduces the GHG emissions
from sludge disposal.
• The addition of anaerobic digestion may require additional

treatment capacity as a result of higher loading from return
streams of digester supernatant and centrate to the head of the
process, which also requires more energy consumption.
These are just a few examples of contextual considerations, but the

holistic approach helps in viewing the big picture when managing
all UWC stages. It is a fundamental outlook towards an integrated
approach and mind-set shift across the whole urban water sector.

3.6 Feasibility exploration: critical considerations • A detailed description of technical measures and associated
for success investment and operational costs (i.e. a technical feasibility
study).
Implementing solutions within the utility, which are also
• A detailed description of how the policy and financing
effective GHG reduction measures, cannot occur in an
mechanisms can enable the measure(s) (i.e. financial feasibility).
isolated context. There can be missed opportunities or poor
investments in the long run without a realistic view on the • Demonstrating how the project helps the community as a
utility’s current and future directions. This should also take whole, and can tie into and benefit other local projects such as
into account technology advancement and replacement over restoration for ecotourism and safe housing developments.
time. Therefore, utility master plans (or mid- to long-term
• Timeline and next steps to carry project forward.
planning) must be reviewed alongside short-term capital
planning. This analysis would identify the appropriate financing
From a comprehensive feasibility study, the utility is
scheme and timing of the chosen implementation measures.
ready to put plans into action, and implementation
of feasible measures is explored next.
For example, a baseline study can indicate that inefficient
pumps should be replaced. However, if they are simply replaced
3.7 Aligning opportunities with the utility’s objectives,
for higher efficiency pumps of the same capacity, there is a
drivers and enablers
risk that water demands a few years later will require different
operating conditions, and result in the pumps being no longer
There are many projects that a utility can pursue; however, it is
efficient, or worse, inadequate and needing replacement again.
useful to consider how their individual objectives can be linked
In this long-term scenario, what would initially cost millions
to the best opportunities, which can also open doors to new
of Euros in pump replacement could cost more than double
methods of financing. Examples have been given in the previous
in a short period of time if the pumps have to be replaced
sections of how drivers can indirectly or directly lead to GHG
again. This demonstrates how a holistic and long-term view
emissions reductions; however, it is further suggested revisiting
towards solution selection is vital to lasting success.
the objectives, drivers, opportunities and enablers using a
mapping exercise. Mapping the utility’s unique matrix can help
After understanding the full UWC stage-by-stage, seeing
pinpoint where to focus efforts for data collection, assessing GHG
opportunities for improvement and undergoing in-depth planning
emissions, and navigating opportunities that fit the utility’s current
considering all contextual factors relevant to the utility’s unique
objectives. This holistic strategising is critical to focusing the GHG
drivers and challenges, a feasibility study can be conducted in
assessment efforts (step 2), and investigating the opportunities
preparation for implementation. The feasibility study should be
(step 3), which are both financially feasible for the utility and
structured in such a way that it is also valid for review by external
can lead to long-term benefits in service performance and GHG
financing entities and interested urban stakeholders. It is best to
emissions reduction. Figure 11 shows how starting with financing
prepare a guideline of what the feasibility study should include,
that may be available for certain GHG reduction opportunities,
so that it can be submitted to a financing entity and stakeholders
GHG reduction can be traced back to meeting the utility objectives.
convincingly. The following are some suggested components.
Objectives Drivers Measures to General GHG reduction Financing enablers

address drivers opportunities
Meeting drinking water Reducing operating costs Optimising operations Various utility, state,
demands national, international
Reduced GHG from reduced
funds
pumping / treatment
Water scarcity Water loss reduction energy
Wastewater collection / Energy efficiency
treatment
Energy efficiency Reduced drinking

water consumption
Meeting water quality Reduced GHG / grid energy Infrastructure funds
regulations due to cogeneration
Maintaining healthy Water reuse
water bodies
Meeting performance Global Environmental
criteria Asset management Biogas valorisation Facilities Fund (GEF)
Reduced GHG from reduced

direct discharges of
Sustainable finances Infrastructure projects to Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Climate change mitigation untreated wastewater
/ adaptation increase wastewater
treatment coverage
Figure 11. Aligning GHG reduction opportunities with a utility’s unique objectives, drivers and enablers.

Step 4. Implement measures: 4.1 Financing
setting plans into motion 4.1.1 Overview of the typical financing gap
This step is about what is needed to actually implement

There are three types of revenue that contribute to
measures that will result in GHG emissions reductions. It
balancing the utilities’ budget, as shown in Figure 12.
guides utilities through identifying the enablers required
to support future measures, while prompting them to think
• Tariffs – user payment (including self-supply).
strategically about the longer-term project development cycle.
The main enablers mentioned are financing strategies, utility • Taxes – subsidies from the public sector: investments
capacity, existing policies and stakeholder engagement. grants and subsidies for operation and maintenance.
• Transfers – subsidies from external sources;

In step 3, the focus was on identifying the technical measures
official development assistance, non-governmental
that allow utilities to address their objectives and drivers, but also
organisations and corporate social responsibility.
contribute to reducing GHG emissions. Utilities may implement
two types of measure that result in GHG emissions reduction:
In a financially sound utility, operational budgets are used for
(1) technical measures that directly tackle a current issue; and
improving day-to-day operations and system optimisation, which
(2) measures related to creating an enabling environment and
include a few GHG reduction measures that can be implemented
higher capacity for future technical measure implementation.
without further support. When capital improvement budgets are
Both strategies are productive, and the latter is considered
needed to finance infrastructure projects, the funding gap may
important when first beginning the planning process, as project
be filled by a variety of mechanisms, including involving private
development may require first the consideration of relevant policy
financing. Private financing is particularly applicable for measures
direction and programme development – including the potential
that relate to energy and water savings or energy production
for a pipeline of related projects and not one isolated measure.
and generate a saving on the utility’s operational budget,
which becomes an income to reimburse the private financing
The implementation of direct technical measures requires a
organisations. When the infrastructure investment produces co-
clear vision, capacity and the ability to self-finance or access
benefits to the environment, economic growth or well-being of
financing, which topic is covered in the first section below.
people, the financial gap is filled through public sector financing.
The second type of measure relates to improving the enabling
environment through capacity, policies and stakeholder
Any form of private sector financing needs a repayment,
engagement. These ‘soft measures’ are critical to long-term
ensured through demonstrating a balanced budget between
success and longevity of the project development cycle of
costs, tariffs, taxes and transfers, as well as projected cost
a utility, and are discussed is the subsequent sections.
savings. This type of financing requires that a bankable
project proposal is presented (see section 4.1.2).
Repayable
Costs Revenues
finance
Repayment
Investment Tariffs Marked based finance

• New • Commercial loans
• Rehabilitation • Bonds / equity
Taxes
Maintenance
Transfers PPP
Operations
Gap Concessionary finance

Sector
• Grant element
• Regulation • Guarantees
• Capacity Financing
the gap
Figure 12. Pathways for water utilities to fill in their financing gaps.

4.1.2 Overview of mechanisms to fill the financing gap What is important to highlight is that the financial
strength of the utility is a key factor for accessing most
There are a variety of instruments that can be used in the of these funding mechanisms, which are provided in the
water sector to mobilise and leverage more financial resources form of loans and eventually need to be paid back.
and support utilities in achieving their coverage and quality
of service targets. Being able to demonstrate how meeting the Table 4 proposes examples of various funding mechanisms
water utility’s challenges also contributes to GHG reduction associated with GHG reduction measures. Note this is not an
can lead the utility (or the government funding the utility) exhaustive list, and that utilities are encouraged to seek out
to apply for emerging financing mechanisms associated with further resources and guidance via the Knowledge Platform and
the global climate mitigation targets. Table 3 provides a very independent assessments of individual financing mechanisms.
general overview of the types of mechanism that exist at
national and international levels. A more specific overview needs
to be prepared for each country and cannot be included here.
It is to be noted that international donors such as the Inter-
America Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the
African Development Bank or the World Bank, who often finance
projects in developing countries targeted at infrastructure, are
increasingly looking at including mitigation and adaptation
to climate change in their project evaluation procedures.
Water Infrastructure Funding Energy Efficiency Funding
From the state, regional From the state, regional

or national levels or national levels
Development Bank Initiatives Climate Change Adaptation Funding
Large international development banks From large independent international

have funds available for projects which funds to governmental initiatives
align with their goals, such as IDB such as ESCO (European Comission)
Urban Stakeholder Partnerships Corporate Social Responsability
Funding from partners on shared Funding from policies or strategies for

projects can expand the budget private utilities to incorporate more CSR
Table 3. General financing entities to begin the search for appropriate funders for adaptation
projects. Relevant Acronyms: European Skills/Competences, Qualifications and Occupations
(ESCO), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

GHG reduction measures Potential actions Potential financing mechanismst
Optimise pumping, centralised/ supervisory control and

data acquisition (SCADA) control and operation, replace Utility budget, national energy efficiency
Pumping station energy
pumps /motors/electrical, install variable frequency drivers financing European Skills/Competences,
efficiency improvements
(VFDs), upgrade instrumentation, fix power steering (PS) qualifications and Occupations (ESCO)
and system leaks/infiltration to reduce pumping volume
Optimise pumping, replace pump/aerator /motors/

Drinking water treatment
electrical, install VFDs, upgrade instrumentation, Utility budget, National energy efficiency
plant and WWTP energy
automatic control, clean or replace diffusers to increase financing, ESCO (see Glossary)
efficiency improvements
oxygen transfer efficiency, optimise aeration
Increase proportion of wastewater treated at WWTP

Utility budget, National
Increasing wastewater by expanding collection system, and minimising
infrastructure financing, Global
treatment/coverage direct discharge to water bodies and related high
Environment Facility (GEF) 16
indirect GHG emissions from water bodies
Biogas production using Collect wastewater from residences and businesses

wastewater from septic/ for anaerobic treatment/digestion and cogeneration GEF, Green Climate Fund (GCF) 17
onsite treatment systems at WWTP, use biogas for sludge trucks
Rainwater harvesting at house and commercial

levels to reduce wastewater flows and reserve
Rainwater harvesting capacity and reduce operating and capital costs, GEF, GCF
gain integrated energy/GHG benefits with drinking
water and address climate change adaptation
Reuse at various scales (i.e. grey water treatment for

irrigation and toilet flushing, WWTP effluent for irrigation,
to reduce drinking water and wastewater flows and
Water reuse GEF, GCF
reserve capacity and reduce operating and capital costs,
gain integrated energy/GHG benefits (drinking water and
wastewater) and address climate change adaptation
Installation of solar panel at DWTP and

Renewable Energy (solar) National energy efficiency financing, ESCO
WWTP sites to power facilities
Table 4. Summary of GHG reduction opportunities and financing in the water sector.
16
Learn more here: www.thegef.org
17
Learn more here: www.greenclimate.fund

4.1.3 Qualities of a ‘bankable’ project After engaging in more detailed strategising, it is necessary to
review the cost–benefit analysis and current capital/master
As mentioned earlier, financing a project through private planning, as well as opportunities that arise from shared
sector involvement requires preparing a bankable project. initiatives with urban water stakeholders. Then a bankable
The main elements of a bankable project are as follows. project targeted at long-term improvements and tangible GHG
reduction impacts can be developed. The project, when developed
• Financial viability of the projects – with these shared goals in mind, should have adequate data to
can you pay back, will it yield a return? comply with the criteria of prospective funding entities. Quality
data determine the success of project proposals, which is why
• Financial strength of the utility -
appropriate software tools such as ECAM are necessary to this
cash flow, profitability, balance sheet.
process. When a new project proposal is presented, it should
• Management and technical capacity – project management. demonstrate clear and feasible objectives with corresponding
planned activities, followed by the best available estimates
• Trustworthiness of the figures provided – can we believe them?
of the following: GHG emissions reduction impacts, technical
• Risks – are they identified can they be managed? information of the equipment or infrastructure required for the
(e.g. tariffs, operating subsidies?). project (at least pre-feasibility), financial information (investment
needed, operation and maintenance costs), a contribution from
The financial viability of the project is evaluated through the government or utility, sources of income, and savings. It is
the payback period, the net present value of the full project, further recommended conducting a life cycle assessment of
the internal rate of return and increasingly often a cost– the chosen measure before implementation and during the
benefit analysis, which looks beyond pure financial elements planning stages, as this can strengthen the proposal. Other
to include benefits such as protection of the environment, impacts that can be economically quantified, for example a
economic growth of the city or the well-being of people. Table project’s contribution to the SDGs, Nationally Determined
5 provides further insights on each of these elements Contributions, or other global climate initiative and sustainable
development initiative, are beneficial is unlocking climate and
international development financing. Afterwards, the project
can identify the mechanisms that are more suitable for their
specific situation and pursue those practical pathways.
Net Present Internal Rate Cost Benefit

Financial Analysis Payback
Value (NPV) of Return Analysis (CBA)
What it means Number of years to Total value in “Interest” yield during Balances all the
re-coup initial investment today’s currency project lifetime benefits and costs
Example 1.5 years Euro 800,000 12% IRR CBA 1.2
Criteria Payback < x < years If positive, it is IRR > hurdle rate CBA > 1
(usually less than 5) profitable (e.g. bank interest)
for energy efficiency
in W&WW utilities
Comment • Easy Need to select a Easy to compare to Takes intangible

•Can be misleading discount rate an interest rate benefits into
• Financing costs account complex
• Short time less risk
Table 5. Some financial variables to consider in the planning of a bankable

project over time. IRR stands for internal rate of return in this context.

4.2 Utility capacity: begin at the beginning These policies are in constant evolution and a
champion to the low-carbon transition may drive new
The current capacity of the utility refers to its pre-existing policies or revised policies that will support utilities
resources, processes, technology and relevant staff training in taking action towards a carbon-neutral future.
at the beginning of the roadmap process. Staff training is
a key component of the long-term success of the approach. For example, in Peru, the WaCCliM team has worked towards
Whether the current capacity is adequate to follow through including carbon mitigation as part of the mandatory climate
with planned improvements, or whether more development plan that utilities need to submit to the authorities. More
is required, is a critical enabler for success. The ability to can be read on this case study in section 4.5, and a full
internally organise, strategise, assess GHG emissions, identify version has been posted on the Knowledge Platform 18.
reduction opportunities and implement solutions effectively
depends entirely on the capacity of the water utility. Having 4.4 Stakeholder engagement
a multidisciplinary team with the right skill sets is a key goal.
Beyond these skills, it is also necessary to develop bankable The engagement of key community stakeholders can
projects and further identify and secure financing to implement facilitate improvements in the urban water sector through
them. Each utility has a different starting capacity, so a main the development of lasting partnerships and support for
purpose of this roadmap is to help identify and fill gaps in specific projects. For example, if a wastewater utility needs to
capacity along this low-carbon, sustainability-oriented and expand coverage, partnering with the neighbouring drinking
holistic approach. The roadmap is designed so that utilities water utility is beneficial for expanding both drinking water
can begin with the minimum capacity necessary to understand and wastewater services. In this scenario, the two utilities
what the areas for improvement are within their system, what could apply for funding together with a stronger joint case.
the GHG emissions sources are, the scale of these emissions, Many benefits and shared goals can be found through
and how to find and implement appropriate solutions. This direct urban stakeholder engagement and it is strongly
process will also lead utilities to understand at which point encouraged at all stages of the roadmap, especially where
consultant or expert support is needed to continue on this path. capacity gaps may take place. Everyone in the community
has a stake in the success and development of their utility.
4.3 Existing policies: what is already in motion
to facilitate progress Many measures that result of holistic planning towards water and
energy efficiency and towards reducing GHG emissions cannot be
There may be various policies or strategies at different implemented in isolation by urban water utilities. Engaging all
governmental levels that are either directly or indirectly aligned the stakeholders from other urban sectors as well as the various
with climate mitigation in the water sector. These policies can levels of administration and government institutions involved in
greatly assist a utility in reaching its internal improvement water management is key to a successful transition to a low-
targets when the shared goals align. Referring to these policies carbon utility, and eventually a low-carbon urban water sector.
will help in identifying whether the water utility is subject to
meeting them, and, secondly, whether they can be referenced Active communication and empowering individuals to becoming
in support of the business case for financing new projects. champions of the low-carbon vision are two key overarching
These policies and strategies can be found at the city scale, measures that will support the utility in implementing
as seen in case of New York City, or at the state, regional, and low-carbon technical measures in the long term.
national scales. In the case of the Paris Agreement, this is
an example of a policy drafted at the international level and As an example, utilities such as Waternet 19 in Amsterdam
promulgated at the national level. Some generic categories report that it has taken them many years to get the
of policies or strategies that can assist GHG emissions stakeholders’ engagement to the level where carbon
reduction targets in the water sector are given below. neutrality is now one of the objectives of the utility.
• Municipal, state, regional, and national GHG reduction

policy or strategies from climate initiatives.
• Municipal, state, regional, and national

energy efficiency policy or strategies.
• Corporate social responsibility policies or

strategies (for private utilities).
18
Search for Peru Case Study on www.climatesmartwater.org
19
Learn more here: www.waternet.nl

4.5 Project examples: the pilot utilities the variety of challenges and opportunities faced by water utilities
today, especially in the developing world. Each began involvement
WaCCliM is currently working in four pilot countries with partners with the project under a different set of starting conditions.
and key utilities: in Peru with MVCS (Ministerio de Vivienda, Some were able to plan and implement measures towards energy
Construcción y Saneamiento) and the utility of SEDACUSCO in efficiency and increasing coverage, while others made progress
Cusco; in Mexico with CONAGUA (Comisión Nacional del Agua) towards higher awareness and policy influencing, both internally
and the utilities of San Francisco del Rincón; in Thailand with and externally. In all cases, building the capacity of the utility
WMA (Wastewater Management Authority) and the wastewater with a vision towards long-term progress was the goal of the
utility in Chiang Mai; and in Jordan with the Water Authority of changes initiated. The involvement of local stakeholders and
Jordan and the water utility of Miyahuna-Madaba. In addition to knowledgeable experts becomes evident as a key success factor
the pilot utilities, the project reaches out to at least 10 follower in all cases. The objective when becoming a utility ‘champion’ is
utilities using the same approach as the pilots, with the goal of to initiate progressive measures no matter what they look like,
implementing measures resulting in 10% carbon reductions within whether they be structural improvements such as in Mexico,
the project timeframe. The project is being implemented from Peru and Jordan, or critical policy and training updates, such as
December 2013 to January 2019.The pilot utilities demonstrate in Thailand. Highlights from each pilot country are listed below.
4.5.1 Mexico
Increased wastewater
coverage
40 % 80 %
Energy tariffs Optimised

optimisation to wastewater
reduce costs Use of cogeneration
treatment
Energy-efficient system
pumps
GHG mitigation Beneficiaries
2,500 t /a 100,000 people
Figure 13. Potential GHG reduction through identified measures.

Measures implemented
Success factors
The implemented measures have allowed SITRATA and SAPAF during the WaCCliM project
to lower the operational costs and improve productivity.
The immediate impact of increasing wastewater treatment • Increasing the volume • Cooperation between the
coverage is a 40% reduction in GHG emissions, equivalent to of wastewater treated two utilities in the same city
2500 tons of carbon dioxide per year. Financing for increasing • Energy optimisation of pumps • Engagement, commitment,
wastewater treatment coverage (approximately €500,000) and treatment processes and interest from management
was raised using federal, state and the utilities’ funds. The during the process
• Improving biogas and energy
rest of the measures (€7,000) were implemented using production in the plant • Internal financing and
savings the utilities gained through efficiency measures. allocation of funds based
on progress of measures
(generating more funds
A full case study is available on ClimateSmartWater.org. through offset costs)
• Compliance with
National Mexican Climate
Mitigation objectives
Table 6. Measures chosen and implemented and the key

success factors of the Mexican WaCCliM pilot utility

4.5.2 Peru
Sludge
management
Energy-efficient
pumps
5,300 t /a 415,000 people
Figure 14. Potential GHG Reduction through identified measures.

Success factors
during the WaCCliM project
To mitigate GHG emissions and counter climate-related risks and
vulnerabilities, water utilities in Peru have drawn up their Climate
Change Mitigation and Adaptation Plans (PMACCs for its acronym • Improved sludge management • Commitment from the utility
staff and board of directors
in Spanish), which are an important input for the optimised
• Biogas optimisation
master plan, instruments that allow water tariffs to be determined. production • To achieve tangible and quick
Acknowledging their importance, current water sector legislation results to motivate water utility
as energy cost reductions
established as mandatory that water utilities prepare PMACCs.
• Controlling odour nuisance
PMACCs offer a great opportunity to demonstrate how the
water sector may contribute to meet the 2030 Agenda and the
Table 7. Measures chosen and implemented and the key success
Nationally Determined Contributions. A successful example was factors of the Peruvian WaCCliM pilot utility.
implemented by the water utility of Cusco (SEDACUSCO), which
faced the challenge of reducing its WWTPs’ operating costs and
odour nuisance along with the carbon emissions; to solve this,
recovery of sludge and biogas has been shown to be promising:
currently 5300 tons of carbon are saved every year, and future
generation of electricity for internal use will allow savings of
about USD290,000 per year and 650 tons of carbon per year.
A full case study is available on ClimateSmartWater.org.

4.5.3 Jordan
Energy-efficient
pumps in reservoir
Optimised Photovoltaics in
wastewater wastewater handling
treatment
5,000 t /a 200,000 people
Figure 15. Potential GHG reduction through identified measures.

Success factors
Under the guidance of the WaCCliM Roadmap, the Miyahuna- during the WaCCliM project
Madaba Company, with the help of the University of Jordan,
conducted studies to determine its overall operational baseline • Energy-efficient pumps • Detailed options study
GHG emissions throughout the UWC. This basic assessment conducted first to help guide
• Sludge digestion and
appropriate decision making
was completed using the ECAM tool, a free software tool from biogas valorization
the project. To address internal costs and water scarcity in the • Continuous communication
• Water supply network
and coordination with
region, and as motivated by the national strategy, the utility maintenance and
the counterpart
decided to move forward with implementation of energy- pressure management
efficient pumps, as well as water supply network maintenance • Shared responsibility in
• Photovoltaic panels
procurement and monitoring
and pressure management. The exact impact of the measures is
to be assessed at the end of 2018, given the later start of this • Adherence to national strategy
pilot project; however, early estimates indicate the potential GHG
• Strategy for continuing
reduction is 1.2 million kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent. service improvements
and climate mitigation
Table 8. Measures chosen and implemented and the key success

factors of the Jordanian WaCCliM pilot utility.

4.5.4 Thailand
Energy-efficient
pumps
Repair sewer
system
400 t /a 100,000 people
Figure 16. Potential GHG Reduction through identified measures.

Success factors
during the WaCCliM project
The project developed a training programme for many utilities
on emissions assessment methodology, a critical step in building
the capacity necessary to have successful implementation of • Policy development: • Awareness Raising
‘Nationally Determined
GHG reduction measures at a later stage. Initial GHG reductions • Engagement of fellow utilities
Contribution Roadmap on
were achieved in the Chiang Mai utility through sewer repairs Mitigation 2021-2030’ • Better understanding of
and pumping cycle optimisation. More extensive measures how to carry out projects
• Development of WMA
required coordination with stakeholders beyond the utility: like this in the future
Sustainability Report
WMA are working closely with the municipality on planning
• Assessment identified that
this and it will be implemented after the project timeframe. • Training workshops on
repairs in the sewer system
key knowledge transfer
and implementation of energy
topics to utility staff
The development of a national policy to include GHG efficient pumps would greatly
reduction targets for all domestic wastewater utilities is a • Increase wastewater influent enhance current operations
by cleaning sewer system
main success of Thailand to meet climate objectives. The WMA
also now develops sustainability reports. This demonstrates
Thailand’s continued commitment to improving services
Table 9. Actions taken to support future implementation of measures
and becoming a regional leader in climate mitigation. and key success factors of the Thai WaCCliM pilot utility.

Step 5. Monitoring success
This step is about visualising the impact of the measures
implemented. It requires collecting adequate data used
with the same tools as for the assessment. Monitoring
is used to verify and measure emissions reductions after
implementation, which is key to accessing climate financing.
This step determines the success of a project over time.
Following the successful implementation of several solutions,

the path to better urban water management does not stop
there. Progress is a continuous road to a higher state of capacity
than before. The most innovative and adaptable actors in
the water sector are constantly pushing themselves further
than their current perceived limits. Monitoring the continued
performance of the water utility is critical for understanding
how previous decisions have contributed to the overall capacity
and GHG emissions reduction impacts over time. Monitoring
must be conducted regularly to be useful, otherwise the ability
to identify problems and opportunities becomes limited to
only a few points in time. Furthermore, the objective is not to
implement a solution once and leave the project there, but to
think about the long-term outlook for the utility and society. As
research and development progress globally, the technologies
used today in the water sector will improve and adapt;
therefore the utility should be open to the new possibilities that
anticipated technological advancements could bring as well.
This involves not only engaging in the beginning with the mind-
set shift approach, but truly incorporating this new perspective at
every level of internal planning, to expand the relevance of local
actions to meeting global sustainable goals. Making the permanent
shift requires thinking that has a broad vision for the utility’s
sustained and improved services, the natural resources maintained
in the community, and global water supplies. Moving towards this
vision involves monitoring, which is programmatic, meaning it is
done repeatedly and compared constantly with previous results.
The GHG data management and assessment framework presented
in section 2.2 is developed mainly for this purpose, making it an
important tool in the process. The objective is always to conduct
a high-quality baseline assessment and to continue monitoring
frequently. The data process flow for monitoring is shown in
the recommended GHG data management and assessment
framework 20. For more information on how to use the ECAM tool
for monitoring success, refer to the Monitoring Fact Sheet 21.
20
Search for Data Management and Assessment Framework on www.climatesmartwater.org
21
See From Data Management to Greenhouse Gas Monitoring on
http://climatesmartwater.org/library/from-data-management-to-greenhouse-gas-monitoring/

Part 3:
The Urban Water Utility of the Future:

Low-Carbon, Holistic and Sustainable
1. Water utilities are the champions for 2. Continuing to improve
securing the collective water future The mind-set shift that has spread into a sector-wide movement
can shape how the urban water management of the coming
The WaCCliM roadmap is the first guide of its kind to demonstrate
decades will look. Closing water loops, integrating urban water
a clear and practical approach towards low-carbon, holistic and
management, increasing wastewater treatment coverage,
sustainable urban water management. Becoming a part of this
resource recovery, water and energy efficiency, engaging the
initiative is one step along the global water sector movement to
public and efficient treatment are all trends that will push
a better urban water management future for water utilities, their
the movement forwards. Creating real and lasting change is
communities and the world. A low-carbon, holistic and sustainable
not something that can happen by one actor alone in a month
urban water future is not simply an ideal fantasy or pipedream: it
or even a year. This will be a group effort, with relationships
is a real future that can be practically achieved and is already in
building and lasting the lifetime of a utility, and longer.
motion in some parts of the world. This is a future where water
utilities are no longer vulnerable and unprepared for urbanisation
The roadmap presents an approach through one completed cycle
pressures and climate changes; where renewable energy sources
of implementation; however, it is up to utilities to repeat the
can offset both emissions and costs, and resource recovery can
cycles into the future. In the next cycles, water utilities will again
contribute to a circular economy; where service performance is
assess new drivers, cultural changes and revised priorities as
not suffering from deteriorating infrastructure, but is modernising
capacity and circumstances change. Repeating the process means
and expanding simultaneously. In this scenario, the residents
incorporating lessons learned from the first projects into future
of the community work together to support their utilities in
ones, while increasing the capacity for better decision-making
providing an excellent and sustainable service, while ensuring
and involvement of other stakeholders. The overall roadmap
that their water supplies are secure and beneficial for the local
approach can improve over time, and critical components such as
environment. This roadmap introduces helpful steps so that any
the framework for GHG data management and assessment will
utility can begin to strategise and plan future improvements
need to be updated as new data become available, improved data
that have lasting value to both the utility itself and the global
management and technology is implemented, and utility drivers
climate agenda. However, the immediate benefits to the utility and
change. Every part of the framework will develop and become fluid
initial GHG emissions reduction results are only the initial goal
and adaptable to the many conditions a utility will work within.
of this roadmap. The ultimate goal is to kick-start this transition
and steer water utilities worldwide towards a greater future.
3. Planning future assets that are low-
carbon and adapted to climate change
The ultimate success of this low-carbon transition process
goes beyond the optimisation of existing infrastructure. It is
about building future assets in a way that considers all urban
waters holistically, and ensures that urban water systems
are fully regenerative, using the least amount of resources
possible, and only discharging to the environment what it is
able to be absorbed, including reduced carbon emissions.

References
Foley, J., de Haas, D., Yuan, Z. & Lant, P. (2010). Nitrous oxide generation in full-scale
biological nutrient removal wastewater treatment plants. Water Research 44(3): 831–844.
Guisasola, A., de Haas, D., Keller, J. & Yuan, Z. (2008). Methane formation in sewer systems.
Water Research 42(6–7): 1421–1430.
Kenway, S.J., et al. (2015). A systemic framework and analysis of urban water energy.
Environmental Modelling and Software 73: 272–285.
Liu, Y., et al. (2016). Global and regional evaluation of energy for water. Environmental
Science and Technology 50(17): 9736–9745.
Olsson, G. (2015). Water and Energy: Threats and Opportunities. London: IWA Publishing.
Sanders, K.T. & Webber, M.E. (2012). Evaluating the energy consumed for water use in
the United States. Environmental Research Letters 7(3): 1–11.
Short, M.D., Daikeler, A., Peters, G.M., Mann, K., Ashbolt, N.J., Stuetz, R.M. & Peirson, W.L. (2014).
Municipal gravity sewers: an unrecognised sources of nitrous oxide.
Science of the Total Environment 468–469: 211–218.

The Roadmap
to a Low-Carbon
Urban Water
Utility
Annexes
Annexes 45
Annex I:
Project Background
WaCCliM, which stands for Water and Wastewater Companies for In addition to the pilot utilities, the project reaches out to at
Climate Mitigation, is a joint initiative between the Deutsche least 10 follower utilities using the same approach as the pilots,
Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and with the goal of implementing measures resulting in 10%
the International Water Association (IWA), acting on behalf carbon reductions within the project timeframe. The project is
of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature being implemented from December 2013 to January 2019.
Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) as part of the International
Climate Initiative (IKI). The WaCCliM Project advocates for
carbon neutrality of water utilities through the introduction of WaCCliM - Water and Wastewater
measures that can simultaneously enhance utility performance Companies for Climate Mitigation
and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These measures

are practical and contribute to common utility challenges, Objective
such as increasing energy efficiency, reducing water loss,
increasing coverage areas, as well as recovering water, energy Reduce Utilities’ Carbon Footprint and Accelerate
and nutrients from wastewater. To work towards this carbon Action to Decarbonize the Water Sector
neutrality goal, improvement measures must be both economically
viable and effective at reducing emissions. The roadmap is
targeted at water utilities in developing countries, but it is also
intended to be applied universally at the local, national and Major Measures
international levels since climate change is a global problem.
Implement GHG Strengthen Enabling Build and Disseminate
Reduction Measures Environment Knowledge
WaCCliM is currently working in four pilot countries with

partners and key utilities: in Peru with MVCS (Ministerio de
Vivienda, Construcción y Saneamiento) and the utility of
SEDACUSCO in Cusco; in Mexico with CONAGUA (Comisión Climate neutral water utilities
Nacional del Agua) and the utilities of San Francisco del

Rincón, SAPAF and SITRATA; in Thailand with WMA (Wastewater
Figure A. The WaCCliM project objective.
Management Authority); and in Jordan with the Water Authority
of Jordan and the water utility of Miyahuna Madaba.
Mexico Jordan
12% GHG reduction 15% GHG reduction
from water systems in water and
wastewater systems Thailand
20% GHG reduction
from wastewater 10% GHG reduction
systems from wastewater
Peru systems
27% GHG reduction
from water systems
20% GHG reduction
from wastewater
systems
Figure B. The four pilot utilities of the WaCCliM project and their
GHG emissions reduction potentials and impacts.
Annexes 46
Annex II:
Data Management Framework Extended

The steps for building the overall data management framework Data priority / Quality survey
presented here are uniform for each utility; however, in actual The next step in developing the data management and
application customized data processes will be required to support assessment framework is performing a data priority/quality
implementation. The initial data processes are dependent on survey. This is done to check any pressing data limitations, as
the individual utility’s current data management, resources and identified in the data quality/process matrix, versus the daily
overall capacity. The recommended framework in the end, together operational priorities of the utilities. If there are any critical
with the customized data processes, can be refined, adapted data flaws (with a data quality score of 1) corresponding to
and improved as the utility’s capacity (i.e. hardware, software, high-priority items (with a data priority score of 3), then they
staff expertise, etc.) increases over time. For example, a utility are flagged by the survey to prioritize data improvements. The
initially without a SCADA system and manually entering flow data priority/quality survey should result in identifying the most
data into a spreadsheet can later begin to export the data from pressing data gaps and improvements, and where the utility
the SCADA system directly into the central data repository after should direct attention to better data management over time. A
upgrading. Therefore, the framework is flexible and is intended sample data priority/quality survey can be found in on tab 5 of the
to facilitate and reduce the effort for continuous use of the ECAM WaCCliM Data Quality/Process Matrix the Knowledge Platform.
tool and other tools, conducting GHG reduction studies and
ultimately implementing corresponding reduction measures. GHG Reduction Analysis Data Requirements
Data required for GHG reduction studies are generally more
Data quality / Data process review detailed and collected at a higher frequency than for other
The first step in constructing the framework is performing a studies, as they are intended to give some insight into
data quality and process review. The WaCCliM Data Quality / the dynamics of the urban water system that impact GHG
Process Matrix is a complete template that helps in evaluating emissions. The data may also not directly relate to variables
what are the current GHG reduction opportunities, data owners used for estimating GHG emissions. For example, pumping
(if specific owners assigned), data category (i.e. for baseline/ station or treatment plant flows do not correspond directly
monitoring and/or GHG reduction analysis), general data quality to GHG emissions, whereas electricity use is a key variable in
and current data processes for extracting the data for various GHG emissions calculations: for example finding kilograms
purposes. The idea is to complete the matrix based on direct of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour (kg CO2e/kWh). However,
input from the utility’s operations and engineering staff, which flow variables are sometimes critical in determining whether
can be provided in a data management workshop with relevant pumping or treatment operations can be modified to reduce
utility staff. A sample of a completed data quality/process energy consumption. Similarly, process water quality data can
matrix and results can be found in the Knowledge Platform 1. signal process inefficiencies and possibly identify opportunities
to optimize the overall process. Optimization usually reduces
energy consumption and/or improves treatment, which reduces
GHG emissions in receiving waters. A comprehensive summary
of data that can be used in GHG reduction analysis can be found
in the Knowledge Platform 2. It is not anticipated that utilities
will have all of these data available at the start, so the summary
can be used as a working checklist to identify where data gaps
might still exist and what data are available on a regular basis.
1
Search for WaCCliM Data Quality/Process Matrix on www.climatesmartwater.org/assess
2
Search for Summary of GHG Reduction Analysis Data on www.climatesmartwater.org/assess

Central Data Repository
The recommended processes for integrating data sources and
linking data to a central data repository within the framework
are listed in the last column of the data quality/process matrix
above. In general, the recommended course of action is to leverage
existing data processes, and either enter the pre-existing data
saved in existing places or electronic files, such as Microsoft Excel
files, into a central data repository, or import entire Excel sheets
directly into a central data repository if this is in the form of a
central Excel file. When the existing Excel sheets are imported,
it is further recommended to begin maintaining and managing
the existing Excel sheets within a central data repository, as
this avoids confusion between different versions of the same
Excel sheets. To create a successful central data repository, it is
recommended maintaining it within a central Excel file (Central
Excel), compiling any existing and new Excel sheets and data
needed for the baseline/monitoring and GHG reduction studies
here in one streamlined format. It is up to the utility to decide
which of the data required for the GHG reduction studies can
be directed into the Central Excel, or saved outside the Central
Excel until conducting the studies requires extracting the data
from their original source. Data can be extracted from original
sources such as the SCADA historical data, operational logs or
scanned performance curve sheet files. Storing any data that are
not frequently required for baseline/monitoring or GHG reduction
studies outside the Central Excel helps to minimize the file
size. The central repository can always be more sophisticated
than a central Excel file depending on the utility’s resources.
Recommended framework construction

Once the recommended data processes are identified, it is
recommended implementing the framework as illustrated and
described in the examples on the Knowledge Platform 3.
3
Search for Recommended GHG Data Management and Mitigation Framework on www.climatesmartwater.org/assess
Annexes 48
Annex III:
Utility Roadmap Scenario

Starting conditions Finding the right resources
This is a wastewater utility in rural Argentina servicing a growing The roadmap is not about starting costly projects which are
population. Recent rapid housing developments are increasing beyond the scope of a utility’s current capacity; it is simply to
the wastewater coverage demand in the area. Likewise, tourism facilitate the progress that the utility is already planning with
is growing in the region, and the public authorities are putting access to better information and tools. In this way, the benefit
pressure on the local utilities to increase the sanitation and of choosing measures that also align with global GHG reduction
safety level of the water to support the local tourism industry. goals becomes clear, especially when the opportunity to bring
Adding to this pressure, in an unusually strong rainy season in additional knowledge, tools and resources is unlocked by
in the area, some abnormal flood events are expected during following this path. In this scenario, the utility in Argentina
the rest of the season. It is clear that the wastewater utility can simultaneously address its need for increased wastewater
must take some level of action, but the question is, with a coverage, which helps the new housing developments, the
limited budget, what are the best options to proceed? booming tourism industry and the safety of the general population
in regards to their water quality, as well as minimizing wastewater
which can overflow during a flood event. The demonstrated
Options to approach the situation contribution of the project to lowering GHG emissions has won
the project climate financing from the International Development
Increasing coverage can be a costly investment, depending on
Bank, and attracted expert collaboration from the networks of IWA
the size of the area that needs to be covered as well as the
and GIZ over implementation queries. The utility has also been
current capacity of the utility. It is possible to seek out additional
able to train its staff in carbon-neutral approaches and will be
funding by engaging with local stakeholders. However, this too
kicking off a new strategy plan and sustainability report this year.
may be limited given the resources of the urban area. Instead,
one approach can be to assess what volume of GHG emissions
are avoided by increasing wastewater coverage, and to propose The next steps
a project that can demonstrate clear contributions to the global
Sustainable Development Goals and nationally determined After successful completion of the coverage project, the utility
contributions through improving community health, biodiversity is able to monitor its progress and finds that it has offset its
and climate change mitigation. This can move a project up overall carbon emissions by 10% in just one year after the
the financing scale, from a purely local issue to one that can baseline assessment, by avoiding emissions from untreated
successfully move forward contributions to global agendas. This wastewater and reduced pumping from water reuse. The success
opens up a utility’s options in terms of unlocking climate financing of the project has brought praise from local stakeholders and the
and potential collaborators who can address knowledge gaps. municipal authority owing to the higher standard of sanitation
in the area. They would like to see the utility build on this
success and the capacity-building initiatives started during this
Starting with one small step project. The next year, the tourism sector joined the utility as
a local stakeholder and together they planned a joint project
By honing in on one critical issue, such as increasing wastewater
that set up a nature reserve to benefit both ecotourism and
coverage, an individual utility can begin the process to link
the quality of the local water supply. This project is planned in
its own planned actions with reduction of GHG emissions,
coordination with the international partners and wins funding
thereby dually purposing projects and expanding their reach
from the Global Environment Facility. Soon the low-carbon and
and usefulness. The roadmap is useful when developing a
sustainable approach is built into the new utility strategic master
project, as critical data needs and considerations along the
plan, with improvements planned for every year thereafter.
utility pathway are considered. For example, to assess how
much GHG emissions could be reduced and/or avoided by
implementing increased wastewater coverage, the utility will
first need a tool with which to assess these emissions.

Annex IV:
Overview of Opportunities and Solutions to

Lower the GHG footprint of Urban Water Utilities
The Climate Smart Water Knowledge Platform of improvement, specific solutions are described, along with
(ClimateSmartWater.org 4 ) has been developed under the the points to consider and benefits while implementing them.
WaCCliM project. This platform offers utilities free access to The intention is to start to build an authoritative reference for
relevant resources such as case studies, technical documents, utilities ready to begin the strategic planning and implementation
problem solutions, inspiring stories and more, which can of solutions as the lasting legacy of this project. The basis of
support them on their journey through any phase of this the inventory is built on water utility expert knowledge and
roadmap and towards a low-carbon, low-energy future. experience from previous projects. As experience in the sector
over these types of low-carbon project grows, so too will the
The ‘Step 3 – Opportunities’ section of the platform presents an available solutions; thus the WaCCliM project explores the current
inventory of potential solutions to lower GHG emissions while opportunity to create a living inventory through this Annex.
optimizing water and energy efficiency across various stages
of the urban water cycle (UWC). These are already presented in This information is also available in a downloadable version,
Part 2, section 3.1 of this document, but more detail is available which will capture the solutions inventory as shown on the online
online, with solutions presented for many of the potential Knowledge Platform as of August 2018. As this is intended to be a
areas of improvement. This online inventory is continuously living inventory of solutions, it is recommended regularly visiting
being updated and further documented. It is structured in a the online portal and exploring the latest resources and solutions
way that highlights the interconnectivity between different that might have been added since the original publication. If
stages of the UWC, by identifying how one stage is impacted there are any verified technical solutions you would like to
and impacts other stages of the water cycle. Under each stage share to increase the value of this inventory to a diverse range
of the UWC, several areas of improvement are identified, which of utility users, please send suggestions to info@wacclim.org.
may lead to a reduction in GHG emissions. Under each area
4
Annexes 50
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London SW1H 0QS, UK Attribution Licence (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0), which permits copying and redistribution for
Tel. +44 (0) 20 7654 5500 non-commercial purposes, provided the original work is properly cited and that any new
Fax +44 (0) 20 7654 5555 works are made available on the same conditions (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/
by-nc-sa/4.0/).
publications@iwap.co.uk This does not affect the rights licensed or assigned from any third party in this book.
www.iwapublishing.com
ISBN: 9781780409917 (print)

ISBN: 9781780409924 (eBook)
DOI: 10.2166/9781780409924
www.wacclim.org
Published by:
c/o Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale c/o IWA - International Water Association Contact:
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Alliance House / 12 Caxton Street / info@wacclim.org
Postfach 5180 / 65726 Eschborn / Germany London SW1H 0QS / United Kingdom www.wacclim.org
T: +49 61 96 79-0 T: +44 207 654 5500
E: info@giz.de E: water@iwahq.org
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This project is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI):

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The Roadmap

ISBN: 9781780409917 (print)

©2018 The Author(s)

Lluis Corominas Catalan Institute for Water Research

Abby Crisostomo Greater London Authority

Christopher Godlove THINKCities Consulting

Steven Kenway The University of Queensland

Christian Loderer Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin GmbH

Gustaf Olsson Lund University

Ana Paula Teixeira Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres

Cheng Yan China University of Geosciences

In addition, the following reviewers also contributed:

5 The Roadmap to a Low-Carbon Urban Water Utility

An International Guide of the WaCCliM Approach 6

1. Urban water management, energy, and carbon are inseparable 13

2. Water utilities have a stake in addressing the global climate crisis 14

3. Turning challenges into opportunities 16

Part 2: A Roadmap for Urban Water Utilities to Transition to a Carbon-Neutral Future –

Step 1. Motivate low-carbon action 19

1.2 Drivers push the agenda 19

Step 2. Assess your system: where do your GHG emissions stand? 21

2.1 The basis of a useful baseline assessment 21

2.2 Introduction to general methodology 22

2.3 Beginning assessment: critical components 22

2.3.1 The ECAM tool 22

2.3.2 Data management framework: what is needed going forward 23

Step 3. Identify opportunities 24

3.1 Addressing utility challenges with low-carbon solutions 24

3.2 Introduction to general methodology 24

3.3.1 Drinking water abstraction 26

3.3.2 Drinking water treatment 26

3.3.3 Drinking water distribution 27

3.3.4 Wastewater collection 28

3.3.5 Wastewater treatment 28

3.3.6 Wastewater discharge / reuse 29

3.4 Impacts compounded across stages 31

3.5 The need for a holistic and discerning approach 31

3.6 Feasibility exploration: critical considerations for success 32

4.1.1 Overview of the typical financing gap 33

4.1.2 Overview of mechanisms to fill the financing gap 34

4.1.3 Qualities of a ‘bankable’ project 36

4.2 Utility capacity: begin at the beginning 37

4.3 Existing policies: what is already in motion to facilitate progress 37

4.4 Stakeholder engagement 37

4.5 Project examples: the pilot utilities 38

Step 5. Monitoring success 42

Annex II: Data Management Framework Extended 48

Annex III: Utility Roadmap Scenario 50

Annex IV: Knowledge Platform Opportunities and Solutions 51

The process for utility champions to progress towards low-carbon

An International Guide of the WaCCliM Approach 9

This connection is then strengthened through assessing the utility’s

Evaluating opportunities to reduce emissions in the light of planned

The initial technical measures implemented typically relate to

Monitoring and visualising the impact of the measure on the utility’s

10 The Roadmap to a Low-Carbon Urban Water Utility

Carbon Neutrality – The state of emitting negligible to

Climate Change – Long-term, significant changes in global or regional climate patterns.

Climate Financing – Financial resources set aside for

ESCO – European Skills/Competences, qualifications and Occupations.