시카고 도심 수자원 교정 구역(Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago)와 시카고 공공 건물 협의회(Public Building Commission of Chicago) 간의 파트너십 체결을 통해 시카고 시의 수자원, 에너지 비용이 절감될 것으로 예상된다. MWRD가 향후 10년 안에 에너지로부터 자유로운 기관이 되는 것을 목표로 하고 있음과 동시에 PBC는 MWRD사의 시설들의 에너지 절감 방안을 평가하고 분석하는데 지원을 아끼지 않기로 서로 동의하였다. 

2011년부터 MWRD는 경쟁적 경매, 태양광 패널 설치, 하수 처리를 통해 열 생산을 극대화하는 하수 열처리 기술의 소개 등을 통해 전기를 수취하면서 에너지 비용을 획기적으로 절감하는 길을 걸어왔다.

July 5, 2013 -- Water and energy costs across Chicago are expected to be reduced with a new partnership between the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) and the Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC). As MWRD works toward becoming an energy-neutral organization within the next decade, it has enlisted the PBC's assistance in evaluating energy reduction opportunities at its facilities.

In 2011, the MWRD began driving down the path to energy neutrality by purchasing electricity at discounted rates through a competitive auction, installing solar panels and introducing sewerthermal technology to maximize the heat produced by the wastewater treatment process.

The Public Building Commission manages construction and renovation for the city of Chicago, and while the MWRD has had an appointee on the PBC Board since 1956, this is the first time the District and PBC are working together.

"The MWRD is excited about working together to achieve savings on behalf of taxpayers," said MWRD Chairman of Finance Mariyana Spyropoulos, the MWRD's appointee to the Public Building Commission. "It is a model of cooperation between intergovernmental agencies and it will help bring costs down."

Once agreements are finalized, the next step will include in-depth audits of how power is used at MWRD facilities. After the audits are completed, PBC will provide a detailed analysis along with recommended savings to the MWRD.

[출처: Waterworld / 2013년 7월 5일]