This study investigates the optimal and safe operation of pumping stations in water distribution systems (WDSs) to reduce the environmental footprint of water conveyance processes. The authors introduce the Nonlinear Chaotic Honey Badger Algorithm (NCHBA), a novel and robust optimization method that enhances exploration and convergence speed using chaotic maps and a nonlinear control parameter. The proposed method outperforms other algorithms in single-objective optimization, demonstrating a 27% reduction in energy consumption in a water network with variable-speed pumps. For multi-objective optimization, the Non-dominated Sorting NCHBA (MONCHBA) is developed and evaluated using four ZDT benchmark functions, showing superior performance compared to other algorithms. The MONCHBA is then applied to a large-scale WDS, optimizing pump scheduling to minimize energy consumption, pressure levels, and water quality risk. The results highlight the potential and robustness of the proposed multi-objective NCHBA in achieving an optimal Pareto front, facilitating carbon footprint reduction and sustainable management of WDSs.This study investigates the optimal and safe operation of pumping stations in water distribution systems (WDSs) to reduce the environmental footprint of water conveyance processes. The authors introduce the Nonlinear Chaotic Honey Badger Algorithm (NCHBA), a novel and robust optimization method that enhances exploration and convergence speed using chaotic maps and a nonlinear control parameter. The proposed method outperforms other algorithms in single-objective optimization, demonstrating a 27% reduction in energy consumption in a water network with variable-speed pumps. For multi-objective optimization, the Non-dominated Sorting NCHBA (MONCHBA) is developed and evaluated using four ZDT benchmark functions, showing superior performance compared to other algorithms. The MONCHBA is then applied to a large-scale WDS, optimizing pump scheduling to minimize energy consumption, pressure levels, and water quality risk. The results highlight the potential and robustness of the proposed multi-objective NCHBA in achieving an optimal Pareto front, facilitating carbon footprint reduction and sustainable management of WDSs.