Helix Water District and Energy Savings
Energy – primarily to pump water throughout Helix’s distribution system, which serves 275,000 people in El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and other unincorporated areas of the county – cost Helix Water District $2.2 million in fiscal year 2017-18. Controlling energy costs, and their impact on water rates, is a priority for the district.
Helix maintains operations and design standards that reduce the district’s energy demand during peak periods when SDG&E’s charges are higher, and the district purchases energy through the State of California’s Direct Access Program, saving an average of 18 percent on commodity costs. Helix staff continually evaluate opportunities to replace aging infrastructure with energy efficient solutions and smart building systems. A solar energy system at the district’s operations center in El Cajon further reduces energy demands and costs.
In 2012, Helix retained DHK Engineers of Escondido to perform an energy audit of the district’s facilities, and the firm worked closely with Helix staff to prepare a list of 150 energy conservation opportunities. Helix staff has successfully implemented 148 of the conservation strategies, including:
• Constantly monitoring SDG&E rate schedules and schedule alterations
• Load shifting to off-peak periods at the treatment plant and pump stations
• Equipping pumps with power meters, programmable logic controllers and variable frequency drives for remote monitoring and operation through the district’s supervisory control and data acquisition system
• Installing window film on the district’s Administration Office
• Installing energy efficient lights in all district buildings