San Bernardino Municipal Water Department

The San Bernardino Municipal Water Department (SBMWD) owns, operates, and maintains a regional Water Reclamation Plant (WRP). The WRP generates a fuel source, digester gas (DG), or biogas as a byproduct of the wastewater treatment process that the facility beneficially uses to power equipment. Driven by regulatory changes, environmental benefits, and cost efficiency, SBMWD initiated the Digester Gas Beneficial Use (DGBU) program, which included the installation of a fuel cell, a low emission flare, an ultra-low emission flare; the electrification of pumps and blowers; and the implementation of Ammonium-Based Aeration Control (ABAC), to minimize the energy consumption, emissions while maximizing the beneficial use of biogas. The DGBU program resulted in approximately 2.7 million kWh/year, equivalent to $300,000 in utility cost, and provided the WRF with operational flexibility and resilience.