Energy-Efficient Design Helps California Town Boost Water Resources
Visalia can take advantage of SCE incentives to fund its largest-ever capital project
Water scarcity is nothing new in Visalia, a city about 45 miles southeast of Fresno.
Since 1991, Visalia’s City Council has enforced water restrictions. And for decades, water from the regional aquifer has been depleted faster than it can be replenished. Part of Visalia’s long-term water conservation strategy is the upgrade of its water treatment plant. The upgrade will enable the plant to treat wastewater to a higher quality, producing recycled water that meets state and federal standards required for irrigation use. At $140 million, it’s the largest capital project in the city’s history, and possibly the most challenging.
Treating Visalia’s wastewater to the higher standard, while remaining energy efficient and moderating any hike in electricity costs, is a tall order. Yet, by participating in SCE’s Savings By Design program, the city is eligible for up to $500,000 in incentives by implementing energy-efficiency recommendations in the facility’s construction.
Read full story in Edison's Online Newsroom.
