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Smart Sewer Technology Satisfies EPA Consent Decree, Saves City $400 Million
Rhea-AI Impact
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Rhea-AI Sentiment
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Rhea-AI Summary
The City of South Bend, Indiana, has updated its long-term sewer plan, endorsed by the EPA and DoJ, utilizing Xylem's smart sewer technology. This innovative approach will reduce capital expenditure by 60%, saving the city $400 million compared to initial estimates of $713 million. The revised plan features over 165 sensors and automated systems to manage wastewater efficiently, significantly cutting combined sewer overflow by approximately 1 billion gallons per year and E. coli by over 50%. Additionally, the city will benefit from $1.5 million annually in reduced operational costs.
Positive
Savings of $400 million in capital expenditures, reducing costs from $713 million to $313 million.
Enhanced environmental benefits with over 1 billion gallons of combined sewer overflow reduced annually.
50% reduction in E. coli concentration in the St. Joseph River.
$1.5 million yearly reduction in operations and maintenance costs.
Negative
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DoJ, EPA Have Endorsed South Bend’s Updated Long Term Plan Requiring 60%Less Infrastructure Investment
Delivers Better Environmental Outcomes, Exceeding Original Overflow And Pollution Control Requirements
RYE BROOK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Global water technology company, Xylem (NYSE:XYL), is delivering the advanced “smart sewer” system enabling the City of South Bend, Indiana, to exceed the requirements of a wastewater consent decree for 60% less capital investment (CapEx) than originally planned.
Smart Sewer Technology Satisfies EPA Consent Decree, Saves City $400 Million (Photo: Business Wire)
The US Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the US Department of Justice (DoJ) have now formally endorsed the City’s long-term sewer plan, based on the advanced technology. The EPA, the DoJ and the City of South Bend originally entered into a consent decree in 2012 in response to the City’s aging sewer infrastructure that frequently overflowed, discharging millions of gallons of sewage and stormwater into the landmark St. Joseph River each year. The plan to address the problem was set to cost South Bend ratepayers $713 million in capital improvements. But the parties have now announced they are amending the original agreement with a revised plan based on “smart sewer” technology. The City’s new approach, using Xylem’s wastewater network optimization solution, provides “better protection at lower cost,” according to the EPA.
“We are so pleased to be partnering with the visionary team at the City of South Bend, providing the digital innovation and insights to make this transformation possible,” said Patrick Decker, Xylem’s CEO. “Their hard work has now resulted in a ground-breaking outcome which will save every family in the city thousands of dollars while enabling them to enjoy a more beautiful St. Joseph River, and have access to cleaner water more affordably.”
“We will spend 400 million dollars less than originally estimated, achieving greater environmental benefit and level of service, just by optimizing the existing system in the ground,” said Eric Horvath, Director of Public Works for the City of South Bend.
“Capturing and using data from sewers used to sound strange,” Decker continued. “But our water infrastructure increasingly has to deal with sudden and extreme weather events, while meeting regulatory requirements and protecting our communities. South Bend is among a growing number of cities modernizing their water systems with advanced digital solutions to make their communities more resilient. We are proud to serve them in this journey.”
The City of South Bend’s revised plan consists of a monitoring system of more than 165 sensors and software agents located throughout the City’s urban watershed, managing 13 automated gates and valves. Real-time decision support technology enables the network to react to sudden wet weather events and avoid flooding by quickly moving flows to under-utilized parts of the network. Operators receive overflow information via control room screens, smartphones and tablets – giving them the ability to override the system at any time, if needed.
The result has been a dramatic reduction in combined sewer overflow volumes (roughly 1 billion gallons per year), and a more-than 50% drop in E. coli concentration in the St. Joseph River. In addition to the capital works savings, the City is also benefiting from $1.5 million per year in reduced operations and maintenance costs.
The City has implemented its new control plan based on the Xylem solution working alongside deployment partners American Structurepoint, LimnoTech, and Stantec.
About Xylem
Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology company committed to solving critical water and infrastructure challenges with innovation. Our more than 16,000 diverse employees delivered revenue of $4.88 billion in 2020. We are creating a more sustainable world by enabling our customers to optimize water and resource management and helping communities in more than 150 countries become water-secure. Join us at www.xylem.com.
What is the key benefit of Xylem's smart sewer technology for South Bend, Indiana?
Xylem's smart sewer technology will save South Bend $400 million in capital investment while exceeding environmental requirements.
Which government agencies endorsed South Bend's updated sewer plan?
The updated sewer plan was endorsed by the US Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the US Department of Justice (DoJ).
How much will South Bend save annually on operations and maintenance costs?
South Bend will save $1.5 million annually on operations and maintenance costs.
What was the original estimated cost of South Bend's sewer improvements?
The original estimated cost was $713 million before the updated plan, which reduced costs to $313 million.
What significant environmental impact will the new sewer plan have?
The new sewer plan is expected to reduce combined sewer overflow by approximately 1 billion gallons per year and decrease E. coli levels by over 50% in the St. Joseph River.
