Honeywell to upgrade wastewater plants in Puerto Rico

US-based diversified technology and manufacturing firm Honeywell has entered into an agreement with Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), to upgrade its wastewater treatment facilities and reduce power consumption at the plants.

As part of PRASA’s energy-savings programme, Honeywell will undertake improvement works worth $16.5m, at the wastewater treatment facilities in Barceloneta and Caguas in Puerto Rico.

The upgrade work at the facilities will include installation of advanced process controls, new blowers and diffusers and other equipments that will allow PRASA to save nearly $2.7m on electricity bills and operational costs.

In addition, Honeywell will provide service and maintenance assistance to ensure smooth and effective operation of the new technologies at the plants.

The improvements are expected to reduce power consumption at the Barceloneta plant by 50% and by 30% at the Caguas facility.

Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority president Alberto Lázaro said that improving the efficiency of the plants is essential to reduce the use of high priced power.

“Working with Honeywell will significantly enhance our plants and ability to manage consumption,” Lázaro added.

Honeywell Building Solutions president Paul Orzeske said modernising the infrastructure and equipment at the wastewater plants will help the utility to provide better wastewater and water treatment to its users, both in terms of fiscal and environmental aspect.

“Scaling back energy use and increasing efficiency at the plant level improves service quality and enables greater flexibility,” Orzeske added.

Honeywell is also expected to improve the efficiency of the sludge removal systems at the facilities, which treat over 20 million gallons of water a day and increase the amount of waste captured and minimise disposal costs.

PRASA is a North American water and wastewater utility that serves about 97% of Puerto Rico’s businesses and 3.7 million residents.

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Image: Honeywell to upgrade water and wastewater facilities in Puerto Rico to reduce electricity consumption. Photo: Courtesy of Jim.henderson.