Graduate students in Professor Melissa Scanlan’s Freshwater Practicum course at the School of Freshwater Sciences worked in a multi-disciplinary consulting team to help the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative support water utilities achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The student consultants produced a report that offers a thorough assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in the water industry, highlighting wastewater treatment as a significant area for emission reductions. Key strategies from this report include upgrading wastewater facilities with anaerobic digesters, using biosolids as fertilizers, installing renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines, and implementing green infrastructure to manage stormwater. The report reviews case studies from leading municipalities, identifies policy barriers and supports, as well as funding opportunities, and provides actionable recommendations. By leveraging these insights, water utilities will be better equipped to transition to sustainable practices, ultimately contributing to the broader national goal of net zero emissions.
Read the full story here.
Achieving Net Zero in the Water Sector report here.
Citation:
Crist, C., DeLong, C., Gregory, A., McCready, I., Miller., A. (2024). Achieving Net Zero in the Water Sector. University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Publications