What if the key to slashing your city’s utility bills and carbon footprint was hiding in the sewers? That’s exactly what Grants Pass, Oregon has uncovered. They are turning wastewater into watts with a new biogas-powered boiler system that’s saving money and cutting emissions.
The Grants Pass Wastewater Treatment Plant now uses biogas, a natural byproduct of sewage digestion, to fuel a new dual-fuel boiler and heat exchanger, replacing an aging natural gas-only system. The result? More than $53,000 in annual energy savings and a significant step toward the city’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2045.
“This project has helped Grants Pass reduce greenhouse gas emissions while keeping energy dollars in the community,” said Public Works Director Jason Canaday. Thanks to a $130,000 incentive from Energy Trust of Oregon, the city was able to choose the energy-efficient upgrade that would have otherwise been out of reach.
The treatment plant processes waste from over 14,000 homes and businesses, using an anaerobic digester to break down sludge. The new boiler located directly above the digester captures biogas to meet the facility’s thermal needs, reducing natural gas usage by an estimated 52,000 therms annually.
The plant’s revamped six-inch concentric tube heat exchanger and optimized boiler placement now significantly cut heat loss, while the system retains flexibility with the option to switch to natural gas if needed.
The project aligns with the city’s broader Sustainability and Energy Action Plan, which aims to manage energy costs, improve grid resilience, and reduce emissions citywide. As part of that plan, the city is pushing LED retrofits, solar panels, hybrid vehicles, and more resilient infrastructure.
For cities looking to modernize their wastewater operations, Grants Pass offers a powerful model. “The reliability, energy savings, and reduced emissions are absolutely worth it,” said Plant Superintendent Gary Brelinski. “We're proving that clean energy can start at the treatment plant.”
Diamond Scientific celebrates the forward-thinking municipalities like Grants Pass that are turning waste into a resource — and leading the charge toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
