Most maintenance managers dread the words \u201cyou are being audited.\u201d These words are usually associated with work being reviewed and may result in penalties, and fees. But in water treatment, being audited should be looked at from a completely different view.<\/p>\n
A water management audit works in much the same way as a routine checkup at your doctor\u2019s office. During an audit, your system is reviewed for ways to improve its overall health. This goes beyond just increasing cycles to reduce blowdown and energy consumption. Audits focus on identifying other potential sources of makeup water, water reuse, and improved efficiencies. One of the keys is a new set of eyes that can view things from a different perspective.\u00a0 Seeing things on a daily basis, opportunities are often missed because they are part of \u201cnormal operations.\u201d<\/p>\n
An important aspect of an audit is quantifying the cost of your baselines. For example, in a common household, things such as a leaking toilet or dripping faucet are often overlooked. Everyone knows that these causes increased water usage yet often they are ignored due to the capital (cost of parts and labor) is significant and initially, a minute leak does not impact the overall water bill. However, over time, simple items often go unrepaired until the pain of an increased water bill emerges.\u00a0 The perception is these small leaks don\u2019t use that much water but an audit puts a true cost to these losses and a Return-On-Investment (ROI) for repairs. A 1 liter leak doesn\u2019t look like much to the naked eye. But 1lpm is 1989612.43 liters per year. This can easily translate from thousands to millions in local currency. These numbers increase exponentially as the flow increases. Think of how easy it is to find these \u201ctiny\u201d water losses.<\/p>\n
Even a facility that has no traditional water losses can benefit from an audit, and automation can be a source of significant savings as well. When a system is not fully automated and online, the excess costs can add up quickly. Something as simple as a failed or plugged solenoid valve can become costly in a short period of time. If a \u00be\u201d solenoid valve fails in the open position, it can put in excess of 20 liters to the drain. If the system is not online, it costs hundreds per day and thousands of dollars per week until the issue is found. This cost can easily be used to justify full automation or simply replacing a solenoid valve with a motorized ball valve which is less prone to clogging.<\/p>\n
Audits uncover areas unrelated to traditional water treatment as well. Air handler condensate is free water that can be used in cooling systems. Once-through medical gas cooling water on liquid ring systems can be captured or recirculating water methods employed. Shallow groundwater can be utilized as cooling tower makeup or an irrigation system source rather than sent to a drain. Irrigation systems water usage should be metered and would likely qualify for sewer credits. Rainwater harvesting while unpredictable can also provide significant savings. Water-cooled pumps typically go straight to drain.<\/p>\n
A sustainability or water management audit is an audit that can truly be a good thing. Chem-Aqua specializes in complete water treatment solutions; providing custom equipment and chemical treatment methods to properly control your system and maximize savings. Contact us today\u00a0and see how you can save!<\/p>\n
Adapted from an article by Jeff Lazor, May 2020<\/p>\n