As a Continuous Energy Improvement participant, Central Arkansas Water collaborated with Entergy to identify energy-saving opportunities, participate in workshops, and share best practices with other organizations. The program provides ongoing technical support and personalized coaching, helping participants focus on low- and no-cost solutions, such as equipment optimization and employee training, to embed energy efficiency into daily operations.
At its downtown Little Rock office, Central Arkansas Water implemented several improvements, including eliminating space heaters, replacing faulty occupancy sensors and exterior photocells, and increasing preventive maintenance for HVAC systems. A Building Automation System review also identified inaccurate sensor readings, leading to adjustments in temperature setpoints during unoccupied hours.
Additional efficiency gains were realized at the utility’s water treatment plants. Previously, production was distributed evenly between the Ozark and Wilson facilities. Through analysis conducted with the CEI team, Central Arkansas Water determined that the Ozark plant operates more efficiently and shifted a significant portion of production there. This change has resulted in more than 10.5 million kilowatt-hours of energy savings over the past five years.
“The Entergy CEI team has been an exceptional partner in helping CAW identify practical, high-value opportunities to reduce energy use across our utility,” said Blake Weindorf, chief operating officer of Central Arkansas Water. “This program reinforces that small, intentional changes in our operations can lead to meaningful long-term benefits — lowering costs, improving efficiency, and supporting more sustainable infrastructure.”
The CEI program, part of Entergy Solutions, helps businesses identify and prioritize energy conservation measures to achieve long-term savings. The initiative emphasizes behavioral and operational changes, such as powering down equipment during breaks and turning it off outside of business hours.
“Central Arkansas Water is working to provide a necessary resource to our communities, and it was a pleasure to work with them to make changes for energy savings,” said Jarrod Harris, Entergy customer service manager. “We look forward to supporting their team on future projects when we can.”
