Sonoma County in California is setting an example that could see the world change its attitude towards the usage of waste water and waste water treatment plants spread across the planet. Breaking the conventional set pattern that renewable energy is limited to wind or solar power, they are making sure that they set up an emission-free energy source and that source is waste water. A pilot program taking root in a nondescript business park near the Charles M. Schulz Airport just north of Santa Rosa would use highly treated water pumped from a nearby plant to heat and cool buildings, with the additional promise of using the piped water to irrigate landscaping and vineyards.
The county plans to go emission-free by 2015 and if this project does indeed go ahead, then that really might be possible. The plan is to make sure that treated water that comes from treatment plant is channeled in to set of tunnels which take it to the buildings across the city. Since this water is hot, the heat from it is used to heat the building or even cool them when required with appropriate refrigeration system. This means that every building in the county could have this new conditioner and this will be achieved by an intricate system of tunnels.
The water is also being now used for one particular vineyard for irrigation and the county officials are contemplating expanding that to further more vineyards spread across the terrain. With many models of environment predicting a severe drought in the region in coming years, it is wonderful to see that the County officials are not sitting legs crossed and doing nothing. The system is waiting for funds and approval from Washington and one hopes it does get that. Sonoma County could be a trend setter for the entire planet!
