New Green Water Technology Could Reduce Carbon Emissions and Save $15.6 Billion

Using carbon financing to develop wastewater infrastructure could result in savings of $15.6 billion and nearly 30 million tons of emissions over 40 years.
Researchers have demonstrated that adopting eco-friendly wastewater treatment methods in the U.S., which utilize carbon financing, could lead to savings of approximately $15.6 billion and reduce CO2-equivalent emissions by nearly 30 million tons over a span of 40 years.

The comprehensive findings from Colorado State University were highlighted in Nature Communications Earth and Environment in a first-of-its-kind study. The work from the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering explores the potential economic tradeoffs of switching to green infrastructure and technology solutions that go beyond existing grey-water treatment practices. Built off data collected at over 22,000 facilities, the report provides comprehensive baseline metrics and explores the relationship among emissions, costs, and treatment capabilities for utility operators and decision-makers.