Water & Wastewater

• Recycle water, particularly for uses with less-critical quality requirements.
• Recycle water, especially if sewer costs are based on water consumption.
• Balance closed systems to minimize flows and reduce pump power requirements.
• Eliminate once-through cooling with water.
• Use the least expensive type of water that will satisfy the requirement.
• Fix water leaks.
• Test for underground water leaks. (It's easy to do over a holiday shutdown.)
• Check water overflow pipes for proper operating level.
• Automate blowdown to minimize it.
• Provide proper tools for wash down -- especially self-closing nozzles.
• Install efficient irrigation.
• Reduce flows at water sampling stations.
• Eliminate continuous overflow at water tanks.
• Promptly repair leaking toilets and faucets.
• Use water restrictors on faucets, showers, etc.
• Use self-closing type faucets in restrooms.
• Use the lowest possible hot water temperature.
• Do not use a heating system hot water boiler to provide service hot water during the cooling season-- install a smaller, more-efficient system for the cooling season service hot water.
• If water must be heated electrically, consider accumulation in a large insulated storage tank to
minimize heating at on-peak electric rates.
• Use multiple, distributed, small water heaters to minimize thermal losses in large piping systems.
• Use freeze protection valves rather than manual bleeding of lines.
• Consider leased and mobile water treatment systems, especially for deionized water.
• Seal sumps to prevent seepage inward from necessitating extra sump pump operation.
• Install pretreatment to reduce TOC and BOD surcharges.
• Verify the water meter readings. (You'd be amazed how long a meter reading can be estimated
after the meter breaks or the meter pit fills with water!)
• Verify the sewer flows if the sewer bills are based on them