The Colorado State University Department of Systems Engineering and Colorado Springs Utilities aim to advance water system efficiency through a new research partnership. By integrating real-time energy data with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, the project seeks to optimize operations and reduce costs for utility providers. 

Energy consumption is one of the largest operating costs for water utilities, yet traditional monitoring systems can be expensive and provide only periodic snapshots of energy use. By embedding IoT sensors into water infrastructure, utilities can gain a clearer picture of energy demand, system inefficiencies, and opportunities for savings. These insights enable operators to make informed decisions and automate processes. 

“It’s important that our research benefits our industry partners while also strengthening our academic expertise,” said Steve Conrad, associate professor and the principal investigator.

“We’re addressing some of the toughest challenges facing water utilities today by helping them transition to predictive and data-informed operations.” 

Utilities across the country are taking steps toward improving energy efficiency, making this project both relevant and timely.  

“This collaboration with Colorado State University aligns with our strategic objective of operational excellence and becoming a utility of the future,” said Bob Hasanabadi, manager of operations engineering for Colorado Springs Utilities. “We are in a unique position as a four-service utility to study this within our own organization.  

“We believe the results of the project will help pioneer a new way for water utilities across the country to optimize their energy usage, ultimately providing a financial benefit to customers.” 

This project is part of a larger collaboration with Metro Water Recovery, the Water Replenishment District of Southern California, and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. This team has conducted literature reviews, assessed emerging IoT technologies, and will interview utility professionals across their operations. 

The research is backed by a $200k Water Research Foundation grant and cost sharing among partners, making the project worth about $300k. It includes an in-depth analysis of best practices, technical considerations, and real-world pilot studies testing the effectiveness and scalability of IoT solutions. 

The research follows five key phases: summarizing existing IoT energy frameworks, profiling industry best practices, implementing pilot applications, refining findings, and developing a final guidebook.  

Outcomes will include case studies, an IoT energy framework, a white paper, and educational materials such as webinar slides and workshop summaries. Findings from the project will be presented at the 2025 American Water Works Association Annual Conference, held June 8-11 in Denver, Colorado.