Energy for Conventional Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment in Urban China: A Review

This review seeks to provide a better understanding of energy used in the urban water system in China. Electricity is a major contributor to the environmental impact of water supply and wastewater treatment, particularly in countries like China where electricity is largely generated using coal and has a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Electricity use can also constitute one of the main costs for water and wastewater companies. China is an important country for the study of energy for water, particularly in urban areas where population is rapidly increasing. China's daily wastewater treatment capacity has increased dramatically over the last decade and a half, and energy use for both wastewater treatment and potable water supply has grown significantly. This paper deals with the challenge of energy for water in China. It reviews the growing body of work on energy for conventional water supply and wastewater treatment in urban China. The review covers energy for all parts of conventional water supply and wastewater treatment, including energy for sourcing, treating and distributing groundwater and surface water, and energy for primary and secondary treatment and sludge treatment and disposal.