By Luis Carmona, Resource Development Coordinator
Many of California’s rural water agencies are balancing tight budgets, aging infrastructure, and increasing energy costs. Finding ways to reduce operating expenses without affecting service is a challenge. That’s where demand response programs can make a real difference.
Enersponse, a CRWA preferred provider, works directly with water agencies to help them earn revenue by adjusting electricity use during high-demand times on the electric grid. These events are rare, scheduled in advance, and usually last less than four hours. The adjustments are small and temporary, with no impact on water delivery, compliance, or safety.
What sets Enersponse apart is their approach. They partner with each agency to build a tailored plan that fits into existing operations. As part of participation, agencies have access to Enersponse’s DRMS platform, which offers detailed energy reporting, demand response event management, and financial settlements—making it easier to see how adjustments translate into revenue.
The process is seamless, with no equipment to install and no cost to enroll. Agencies interested in automation can also get help accessing rebates to support SCADA upgrades or other control system improvements.
Many CRWA members in PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E areas have already used demand response to bring in additional revenue, some earning thousands of dollars a year per site.
Because Enersponse doesn’t sell a product but enrolls customers into energy programs, CRWA members receive a five percent (5%) premium instead of a traditional discount.
With summer wrapping up, there’s still time to enroll before the current season ends. Even late participation can bring in meaningful returns. Since these programs are funded through existing utility rates, not taking part means missing out on dollars your agency is already paying for.
Ready to get started? Visit www.enersponse.com or email info@enersponse.com.
CRWA Preferred Provider Program
The California Rural Water Association (CRWA) continues to expand its Preferred Provider Program, which connects members with vetted service providers offering essential services such as laboratory testing, leak detection, online payment solutions, legal services, rate studies, and consulting.
Currently, 13 providers actively participate in the program, each meeting CRWA’s high standards of professionalism. This includes maintaining Associate Member status in good standing, advertising in the California Water Journal, and exhibiting at the CRWA Annual Expo. In addition to these requirements, prospective providers must submit a formal RFP detailing their services, pricing structure, and proof of liability insurance.
CRWA supports Preferred Providers through free marketing, email campaigns, social media promotion, and workshop coordination. CRWA also encourages all staff from both CRWA and SUSP (Operations and Engineering) to recommend the Preferred Provider Program to systems whenever possible. By recommending the Preferred Provider Program, CRWA staff not only help CRWA members but also the association.