March 30, 2010 2:00 – 4:00 EST
March 30, 20102:00 – 4:00 EST
Goal: To feel more comfortable delivering water efficiency assessment services in the commercial and institutional sectors
Objectives: Gain understanding of water auditing Learn more about viable water efficiency options Assess the information and resources you need
Water Management OverviewConducting a Water AuditWater Efficiency OptionsCase StudyQuestionsResources
http://savewaternc.org/WaterEfficiencyManual.pdf
Gary HuntN.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
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Pre-1994 Current High Efficiency
Gal
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Toilets
Showerheads
Faucets
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Pre-1994 Current High Efficiency
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Toilets
Showerheads
Faucets
Water Efficiency AreasReduce LossesReduce Overall Water UsesEmploy Water Reuse
Changing Behavior vs. Equipment
Vocabulary: Conservation vs. Efficiency
Optimizing facility water use means more than conducting an in-plant study.
Policy
Planning
Implementation
CheckingCorrective Action
ManagementReview
Step 1: Establish commitment and goals –Top management support
Step 2: Line up support and resourcesStep 3: Conduct a water assessment Step 4: Identify water management optionsStep 5: Prepare a plan and implementation scheduleStep 6: Track and communicate results
Keeps projects on trackJustifies investments and quantifies savings (for further waste reduction project)Maintains motivation level of employeesAllows revisions and updates to plan
Recycle process waterImprove maintenance to replace misc. partsUse domestic water efficiency measures Change operational practicesAdjust cooling tower blowdown
Reduce irrigation time schedulesAdjust equipmentRepair leaksInstall spray nozzlesInstall/replace automatic shut-offsReduce dishwasher loadsTurn off equipment when not in use
Action planTime lineLow-tech to high-tech approachesGood communication and employee awarenessEmployee training
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist
Terry Albrecht, PE, CEMWaste Reduction Partners
Confirm client’s commitmentAssemble audit teamCollect background informationConduct on-site water audit
Tools and measurementsWater balanceTrue cost of water
Identify target areas for efficiencyPrepare report/recommendationsFollow-up
Pre-assessment screeningData collectionAudit team
Efficiency project leaderFacilities/plant managementMaintenance supervisorPersonnel familiar with operation External assessor (YOU!)
Water and sewer bills –previous full year (note rate structures)Water meter sizes and locationsAll sources of potable and non-potable waterProcess sub-metering data Wastewater treatmentProduction flow diagramsPlumbing diagramsIrrigation drawings and controls
Number of employeesShifts, work and clean-up schedulesProducts and servicesProduction rates/occupancyList of known water-consuming processes and usesPrior water or energy surveysMaintenance schedule info
Identify all water-consuming equipmentConfirm plumbing diagrams Quantify water flow ratesDetermine water quality needs for each processReview current water-saving measures
Observe water uses, clean-up, changeoversNote all water losses, evaporative, product use, excessive pressure and leaksJudge current water use efficiency and potential for improvement
Process and Equipment UseCleaning, washing, rinsingMetal finishingPaintingDyeing and finishingPhoto processingReusesProduct fluming (water transport)Water use in products
Cool and Heating Single-pass coolingCooling tower/chillersBoiler, hot water, steam systemsAir washersBoiler scrubber
Sanitary and DomesticToiletsUrinalsFaucetsShowers
Kitchen Food Cafeteria usesDishwatersIce machinesFaucets
Other Facility SupportFloor washingAir emission wet scubbersBuilding washingQA/QC testingLaboratoriesWastewater treatmentHuman resources- medical
Outdoor UsesLandscaping IrrigationParticulate emission controlDecorative fountains/ponds
Vehicle Washing
Set reasonable time expectations with clientUse your tools – take photos, measure water flow ratesSchedule time to observe operationsAsk questionsVerify information
Meter reads: 81710.03 cubic feet Recorded since meter was installedUtility bills commonly in units of 100 cubic feetIn CCF, this meter reads 817One cubic foot = 7.48 gallons 100 cubic feet (CCF) = 748 gallons
Water charges - typically based on 100 cubic feet or 1,000 gallon units
“Ones digit” has already "turned over”Correct reading on meter: 2425.92 cubic feet Meter size on dial (5/8“)
The red triangle spins with any use. Helpful in determining leaks.
Domestic40%
Landscaping22%
Kitchen1%
Once-Through2%
Unaccounted for9%
Cooling/Heating26%
Showers17%
Leaks14%
Faucets16%
Clothes Washer22%
Dishwasher1%
Baths2%
Toilets28%
Source: AWWA, 1999
Unaccounted12%
Landscaping5%
Laundry24%
Pool/thpy6%
Showers10%
Kitchen11%
Toilets15%
Sinks7%
Cooling/Heat10%
Costs of Water and Sewer
$6.76 per 1,000 gallons
Hot Water = 2 times water costs
Water-Use Benchmarks
95 gallon/day per resident (post 1995 renovations)
160 gallons/day per resident (pre-1995 renovation)
3.12
3.93
2.85
3.65 3.68
4.53
00.5
11.5
22.5
33.5
44.5
5
$
25,000gal/mon
100,000gal/mon
Asheville
Water$/1000
Sewer$/1000
City water purchase $2.11Sewer rate $2.43Total Water/Sewer $4.54Deionized using reverse osmosis
Equipment $0.41Energy $1.07Labor $1.23
Total DI water $2.71DI water
(flexible cost @ 40%) $1.08Wastewater treatment
Sludge disposal $3.78Treatment chemicals $2.64Energy $0.25Labor $6.01
Total WW treatment $12.69WW treatment
(flexible cost @40%) $5.07 Total cost of water $10.69/CCF
$14.29/1,000 gallons
Activity Unit Cost ($/CCF)
0 1 2 3 4 5
Altamont
Aston Park
Pisgah View
Klondyke Homes
Hillcrest
Erskine Street
Walton Street
Deaverview
CCF Per Person/Month
Asheville Avg 2.5 ccf
Typical report formatExecutive summary – chart Introduction/program descriptionFacility description - briefHistorical water use and water balanceWater options and savings calculationsResources – financial, technical, etc.Follow upAppendices
Source Water Reduction Measure
Gallons per Year (gpy)
Investment Costs($)
Savings ($/yr)
Simple Payback (yr)
Electro-plating
Conductivity controlled rinses (also see 5.1.2-4)
967,000 6,000 11, 200 1.2
Lavatories Faucet flow controls
679,000 270 4,100 0.1
Commodes Replace with 1.6 gpf units
1,170,000 10,300 7,200 2.7
Urinals Flushometer retrofit kits
151,000 100 900 0.8
Boiler Room
Repair leaks 131,000 50 800 0.06
TOTAL 3,098,000 $16,720 $24,200 0.7 year8 months
XYZ Company: Summary of Potential Water and Cost Savings
Occupational ImpactsInitial CostOperating CostSavingsEnvironmental ImpactsProduction Shutdown Requirements
ProductivityImpact on QualityEnergy RequirementsFacility ModificationsMaintenance RequirementsRegulatory Effects
Keyes McGeeN.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
Toilets
Urinals
Faucets
Showerheads
Fixture EPAct 1992 Standard
Commercial and Residential Toilets 1.6 gpf
Urinals 1.0 gpf
Lavatory Faucets 2.5 gpm at 80 psi
Lavatory Replacement Aerators 2.5 gpm at 80 psi
Kitchen Faucets 2.5 gpm at 80 psi
Kitchen Replacement Aerators 2.5 gpm at 80 psi
Metering Faucets 0.25 gpm at 80 psi
Residential Showerheads 2.5 gpm at 80 psi
Urinals 1.0 gpf
Before the 1960s, up to 7 gpf;1970s toilets consume 5.5 gpf;3.5 gpf by the 1980s;EPACT 1992, 1.6 gpf - in production 1994
Older flushometers can use more than three gallons per flush
Swapping out the flushometer may not work without bowl replacement
Use 1.28 gpf
Flapperless technology
Pressure assisted flush
Dual-flush technology
Efficient flushometer valves
*20% savings over the current code
Some new toilets use only 1.1 gallons per flush.
Typical Older Urinal
1980-19941.6 – 3.0 gpf
1/8 gpf (0.125 gpf)1/2 gpf (0. 5 gpf)
1.5 gpm Showerheads
0.25 Gallon per activation Metering faucet w/ 1.5 gpm aerator
0.5 gpm Tamperproof faucet aerators
0.5 gpm Sensor faucets
WaterSense labeled products are backed by independent testing and certification.
BehavioralStaff educationRun washers with racks full
MechanicalLeak reportingReuse final rinse waterUse properly sized dishwashers
Some manufacturers are making water-efficient kitchen faucets with a flow rate of 1.5 gpm.
1.6 gpm
1.48 gpm
Commercial equipment upgrades - reducing energy and water – Buy WaterSense and Energy Star Branded Products
An alternative water source for toilets and urinal flushing and irrigation
Ron PridgeonN.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
Plant selectionIrrigation system designProducts & equipmentInstallation & operationRoutine inspection
The goal is uniform water distributionPlan for variation: grass, trees, ground cover, flower beds and scrubsZone specific – spray and drip applications
Reduce Overspray –water only things that growWater Early – during morning hoursCycle & Soak –reduces run-off, erosion and excess use
Rain Sensor
Irrigation Controller
Automatic adjustment of watering schedules using weather based or soil sensor based data.
Check for:Clogged nozzles or damaged spray headsLeaking linesExcessive run-off
Potential for ~20% water savings compared to conventional irrigation controllers.
Terry Albrecht, PE, CEMWaste Reduction Partners
Facility BackgroundCanton, NC124 –bed skilled nursing homeBuilt in 1983Family owned
Driving Factors for UpgradesNo municipal water or sewer available (or planned)Long-term well viability and wastewater treatment capacityNeeded facilities updated for residents
The ProjectUpgrades included plumbing, flooring, painting and lightingOther water supply improvements included back-up well, large storage tanks, more efficiency and reliable pumps
Fixture ImprovementsToiletsLavatory faucetsShowerheadsCommercial laundry equipment
Performance Results25,000 gpd use reduced to 15,000 gpd (with 20 bed expansion)Repair of 3,500 gpd leak identified during renovationsEquivalent saving (if purchased) $24,500/year
Other Key BenefitsCreated excess capacity for on-site wastewater treatment Improved performance of wwtpOperates well below maximum discharge permit flows
Environmental Sustainability Resource Center(800) 763-0136
WaterWiser, AWWA: http://www.awwa.org/waterwiser/
EPA WaterSense Program: http://www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/index.htm
Rainwater Harvesting at NCSU: http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/waterharvesting/
The Irrigation Association: http://www.irrigation.org/
Alliance for Water Efficiency: http://www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org/
Water Efficiency Manual:http://www.p2pays.org/ref/01/00692.pdf
North Carolina’s Water Efficiency Web Site: www.savewaternc.org
Handbook of Water Use and Conservation: Amy Vickers, 2003 http://www.waterplowpress.com/