Focusing on Healthy Infrastructure and Operations Saves Money, Increases Efficiency
Lowell, MA   

When Woodard & Curran completed its first project in Lowell in 1996, the seed for a long-term working relationship was planted. By functioning as a committed team with the big picture in mind, the firm works with Lowell’s water and wastewater utilities to keep costs down, effectively implement capital upgrades, and increase efficiency.
 
Since 1996, water upgrades have saved an estimated $50 million. We partner with the Lowell Regional Water Utility and focus on the big picture, cutting costs and increasing efficiency. For example:

Lowell could have spent between $50 and $60 million on a new water treatment facility. Instead, we developed a $12-million upgrade of its existing 30-MGD facility, which was implemented without interrupting operations.

By replacing its older pumps with new, energy efficient pumps, the LRWU is saving over $200,000 per year, which according adds up to less than the price of the low-interest State Revolving Fund loan that is paying for the project.

A new SCADA system has automated a number of tasks and reporting functions for the utility, allowing two positions recently vacated due to retirement to be eliminated.

Wastewater upgrades are under way, focusing on odor reduction, operational flexibility, and reduced energy costs. Projects include:

• process modifications for odor reduction at the 32-MGD facility;
• optimizing the facility’s SCADA system to increase plant automation and decrease necessary operator attention;  
• developing a capital improvements plan that charts a path forward focusing on efficiency; and
• conducting an energy assessment to minimize energy use and reduce operating costs.