Opportunities for Opportunities for Water EfficiencyWater Efficiency

State Agencies & UniversitiesState Agencies & Universities

Sharron Rogers/Rusty Harris-Bishop/Terry AlbrechtSharron Rogers/Rusty Harris-Bishop/Terry AlbrechtGovernment Agency Environmental Sustainability Government Agency Environmental Sustainability CoordinatorCoordinatorNC Div. Pollution Prevention and Environmental AssistanceNC Div. Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance

Utility Saving Initiative – USIUtility Saving Initiative – USI&& Water System Protection EO Water System Protection EO

NC Drought Status

NC Water Use NC Water Use RestrictionsRestrictions

Emergency RestrictionsEmergency Restrictions– 6 Water Systems6 Water Systems

Voluntary RestrictionsVoluntary Restrictions– 122 Water Systems122 Water Systems

September 9, 2002

Mandatory RestrictionsMandatory Restrictions–76 Water Systems76 Water Systems

Executive Order #26Executive Order #26 Water System ProtectionWater System Protection

All state government agencies discontinue “non-essential” water use until further notice

All such agencies immediately develop and begin implementing long term, financially feasible conservation measures

Signed August 15, 2002Signed August 15, 2002

Definition of Definition of “Non-Essential” Water Use“Non-Essential” Water Use Do not have any health or safety Do not have any health or safety

impacts;  impacts;  Are not required by regulation; Are not required by regulation;

and  and  Are not needed to meet the core Are not needed to meet the core

functions of the agencyfunctions of the agency

Examples of Examples of ‘non-essential’ water use‘non-essential’ water use

Irrigation of lawns and Irrigation of lawns and ornamental plants; ornamental plants;

Washing cars, off-road Washing cars, off-road equipment, and other equipment, and other vehicles unless necessary vehicles unless necessary for operator safety;  for operator safety; 

Washing of all building Washing of all building exteriors, outside structures, exteriors, outside structures, streets, sidewalks and streets, sidewalks and parking lots; parking lots;

Operation of all inside and Operation of all inside and outside decorative pools and outside decorative pools and fountains; fountains;

Routine watering of athletic Routine watering of athletic fields; fields;

Recreational water uses Recreational water uses such as swimming pools;  such as swimming pools; 

Dust suppression with water Dust suppression with water sources other than treated sources other than treated wastewater;  wastewater; 

Operating hoses without Operating hoses without hand-operated nozzles;  hand-operated nozzles; 

Using hoses for clean up (i.e. Using hoses for clean up (i.e. do not use hose as a broom), do not use hose as a broom), unless required by health unless required by health code; code;

Washing partial loads in Washing partial loads in washing machines and washing machines and dishwashers; dishwashers;

Non-essential ice machines; Non-essential ice machines; Don’t supply tap water at Don’t supply tap water at

eating establishments unless eating establishments unless requested; requested;

Leaks, drips and other water Leaks, drips and other water losseslosses. .

Low & No-Cost Low & No-Cost MeasuresMeasures Install aerators on all Install aerators on all

faucets faucets Put water-filled plastic Put water-filled plastic

bottles (milk jugs) or bottles (milk jugs) or dams in toilet tanksdams in toilet tanks

Install low flow Install low flow showerheads and other showerheads and other plumbing equipment plumbing equipment

Reduce water pressure Reduce water pressure Reduce water flow rates Reduce water flow rates

at lavatory faucets and at lavatory faucets and at tank-less toilet valves  at tank-less toilet valves 

Turn off water-using Turn off water-using equipment when not in equipment when not in useuse

Reduce or eliminate Reduce or eliminate once-through cooling once-through cooling water water

Turn off air handling and Turn off air handling and cooling towers at nights cooling towers at nights and on weekendsand on weekends

Attach shut-off nozzles Attach shut-off nozzles to all hand held hosesto all hand held hoses

Sweep instead of using Sweep instead of using a hose to clean and a hose to clean and implement other dry implement other dry cleanup techniques cleanup techniques

Minimize garbage Minimize garbage disposal use disposal use

Long Term Long Term Conservation/Efficiency Conservation/Efficiency Programs:Programs: Delegation of authority Delegation of authority Inventory water uses Inventory water uses Identification and tracking of daily water use Identification and tracking of daily water use

– Establishment of a Baseline – Establishment of a Baseline Detection & repair of leaks Detection & repair of leaks Installation of water conservation Installation of water conservation

devices/equipment/fixtures as feasible devices/equipment/fixtures as feasible Employee education and awareness program Employee education and awareness program Form a rapid response system for fixing leaks Form a rapid response system for fixing leaks

and replacing malfunction equipment and replacing malfunction equipment

State Agencies ActionsState Agencies Actions Exec Order 26 Water System Exec Order 26 Water System

Protection ParticipationProtection Participation Voluntary Compliance with Local Voluntary Compliance with Local

Government RestrictionsGovernment Restrictions Establish Baseline Water UseEstablish Baseline Water Use Prepare for USI participationPrepare for USI participation

DID YOU KNOW DID YOU KNOW N C State Government. . .N C State Government. . . Owns <12,500 buildingsOwns <12,500 buildings Manages <82 million sq ft of Manages <82 million sq ft of

buildingsbuildings 35 facilities with NPDES waste water 35 facilities with NPDES waste water

discharge permitsdischarge permits 4.2 MGPD of waste water permitted4.2 MGPD of waste water permitted 149 hazardous waste generators149 hazardous waste generators 516K acres land managed516K acres land managed > 140 m miles per yr traveled> 140 m miles per yr traveled

NC Project GreenNC Project Green

North Carolina State Government’s Contribution North Carolina State Government’s Contribution to Environmental Sustainabilityto Environmental Sustainability

www.SustainableNC.org www.SustainableNC.org Executive Order #156Executive Order #156

NC Government NC Government “Business” Activities“Business” Activities

PurchasingPurchasing Office OperationsOffice Operations TransportationTransportation

Fleet Fleet Maintenance/Maintenance/ProcurementProcurement

Landscaping/Landscaping/Agricultural OpsAgricultural Ops

Facility Facility ManagementManagement

ManufacturingManufacturingConstruction/Construction/LeasingLeasing Food ServiceFood Service

Water Balance – Water Balance – TypicalTypical

School and Universities

Domestic48%Landscaping

30%

Unaccounted for4%

Cooling & Heating

5%

Once through Cooling

5%

Kitchen4%

Laundry3%

Leaks1%

Benefits of Water Benefits of Water Efficiency ProgramsEfficiency Programs

Reduces Water DemandReduces Water Demand– Generally faster, cheaper & easier Generally faster, cheaper & easier

Waste and Wastewater Treatment SavingsWaste and Wastewater Treatment Savings– Reduce and defers costs & pretreatment req.Reduce and defers costs & pretreatment req.

Less Environmental ImpactLess Environmental Impact– Due to less surface and subsurface withdrawalsDue to less surface and subsurface withdrawals

Sustained Water QualitySustained Water Quality– New supplies can be of lesser qualityNew supplies can be of lesser quality

Planning forPlanning forWater EfficiencyWater Efficiency Information CollectionInformation Collection Top management supportTop management support Determine internal baselines and/or external Determine internal baselines and/or external

benchmarksbenchmarks Determine target areasDetermine target areas Determine best available techniques and Determine best available techniques and

technologies -advantages & disadvantages projectstechnologies -advantages & disadvantages projects Develop Action plan with timelines & Develop Action plan with timelines &

responsibilitiesresponsibilities Track & Communicate ResultsTrack & Communicate Results

Establishing a BaselineEstablishing a Baseline Record incoming water and production

information. Identify all points and amounts of water

use (intermittent and continuous). Determine water quality requirements for

each area of water use. Develop a chart of the various operations

and the estimated daily water use.

Water Management Water Management OptionsOptions

Sanitary/DomesticSanitary/Domestic Cooling & HeatingCooling & Heating Kitchen/Food Preparation Kitchen/Food Preparation Cleaning & Rinsing Cleaning & Rinsing ReuseReuse LandscapingLandscaping

Sanitary/Domestic Sanitary/Domestic EfficiencyEfficiency

Driving Factor - 1992 Energy Policy ActDriving Factor - 1992 Energy Policy Act Toilet RetrofitsToilet Retrofits

– displacement devices, flapper valve, displacement devices, flapper valve, inserts... inserts...

1.6 gpf Toilets 1.6 gpf Toilets – gravity, flushvalve, pressurized flush gravity, flushvalve, pressurized flush

unitsunits 1.0 gpf Urinals1.0 gpf Urinals Maintenance ChecklistsMaintenance Checklists

Payback for Toilet Payback for Toilet ReplacementsReplacements

Payback for 1.6 gpf Toilet Replacements(for 1980 to mid 1990 3.5 gpf tank units)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

95 105 115 125 135 145 155 165 175 185 195 205 215 225 235 245 255 265 275 285 295 305 315

Installed Cost ($//toilet)

Payb

ack

(yea

rs)

Users/toilet 5

Users/toilet 8

Users/toilet 11

Users/toilet 14

Ensuring a Successful Toilet Ensuring a Successful Toilet Replacement ProjectReplacement Project Replace highest Replace highest

use toilets firstuse toilets first Select type Select type

carefullycarefully Know Know

sewer/sanitary sewer/sanitary infrastructureinfrastructure

Base decisions on Base decisions on current modelscurrent models

Educate Educate employees toilet employees toilet trash can trash can

Check referencesCheck references Consider noise Consider noise

levelslevels Plan for legal Plan for legal

disposal/disposal/recycling optionsrecycling options

Domestic/Sanitary Domestic/Sanitary ContinuedContinued

FaucetsFaucets– aerators, flow restrictor, aerators, flow restrictor, automatic automatic

& metered shut-offs& metered shut-offs– Payback .05-.7 yrsPayback .05-.7 yrs

ShowerheadsShowerheads– behavior, leaks, replacementsbehavior, leaks, replacements– Payback .25-2.5 yrsPayback .25-2.5 yrs

Infrared/Ultrasonic SensorsInfrared/Ultrasonic Sensors Waterless UrinalsWaterless Urinals

Cooling & HeatingCooling & Heating

Cooling tower schematic

Cooling Tower Water Cooling Tower Water BalanceBalance

blowdown (TDS or µmhos) Concentration Ratio =

make-up (TDS or µmhos)

Blowdown OptimizationBlowdown Optimization

Concentration ratio is typically 2-3Concentration ratio is typically 2-3 Can be increased to 6 or moreCan be increased to 6 or more

– e.g. increasing CR from 2 to 6 will saving 40% of make-e.g. increasing CR from 2 to 6 will saving 40% of make-up waterup water

Dependant on feedwater qualityDependant on feedwater quality– pH, TDS, alkalinity , conductivity, hardness, pH, TDS, alkalinity , conductivity, hardness,

microorganismsmicroorganisms Sub-meteringSub-metering Conductivity controllersConductivity controllers

Cooling Water TreatmentCooling Water Treatment

Sulfuric Acid TreatmentSulfuric Acid Treatment Side-stream filtrationSide-stream filtration OzoneOzone MagnetsMagnets Alternative Source of Make-upAlternative Source of Make-up

Work with your service contractors

Boiler Water Boiler Water ManagementManagement Chemical metering systemsChemical metering systems Biocide selectionBiocide selection Improved blowdown techniques Improved blowdown techniques

(total dissolved solids >= (total dissolved solids >= 2000 ppm)2000 ppm)

Optimizing temperature Optimizing temperature requirementsrequirements

Kitchen & Food PrepKitchen & Food Prep & Dishwashers & Dishwashers

BehavioralBehavioral– educate staffeducate staff– report leaksreport leaks– run racks only when fullrun racks only when full

MechanicalMechanical– recycle final rinse waterrecycle final rinse water– use “electric eye” sensors on conveyor use “electric eye” sensors on conveyor

systemssystems– use properly sized dishwashersuse properly sized dishwashers

Dishwasher Water UseDishwasher Water UseTypical Water Use of Commercial Dishwashers

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

ucounter

singledoor

clineconv

flightconv

Type

gals/rack

max.

min.

Kitchen & Food PrepKitchen & Food PrepOther Water Use OptionOther Water Use Option Kitchen FaucetsKitchen Faucets

– leaks, aerators, pedal operated controllersleaks, aerators, pedal operated controllers Pre-rinse SprayersPre-rinse Sprayers

– 1.6 to 2.65 gpm models available1.6 to 2.65 gpm models available Ice-making MachinesIce-making Machines

– Air Cooled (<50 gal/100 lbs. ice) Air Cooled (<50 gal/100 lbs. ice) vs. vs. Water Cooled (120-300 gal/100 lbs. ice)Water Cooled (120-300 gal/100 lbs. ice)

Garbage Disposal UseGarbage Disposal Use

Cleaning and RinsingCleaning and RinsingEfficient Washing/Sanitation Efficient Washing/Sanitation TechniquesTechniques Conduct “Dry Cleanup” First Conduct “Dry Cleanup” First

– Use Use squeegeessqueegees, brooms, shovels, vacuums; , brooms, shovels, vacuums; collect residuals for reuse/recycle collect residuals for reuse/recycle

Low Volume - High Pressure NozzlesLow Volume - High Pressure Nozzles Air-Assisted NozzlesAir-Assisted Nozzles Flow RestrictorsFlow Restrictors Automatic Shut-offs, TimersAutomatic Shut-offs, Timers Proper Equipment, Technique, & TrainingProper Equipment, Technique, & Training

– (e.g. do not use a hose as a broom)(e.g. do not use a hose as a broom)

Other Process Other Process Water Reuse MeasuresWater Reuse Measures

Reuse of once through, non-contact Reuse of once through, non-contact cooling water for next process bath or for cooling water for next process bath or for pre-heatpre-heat

Reuse of oil/water separator filtrate for Reuse of oil/water separator filtrate for mop water or paint booth water curtainsmop water or paint booth water curtains

Use of reverse osmosis reject water for Use of reverse osmosis reject water for cooling tower make-upcooling tower make-up

Condensate recovery & reuseCondensate recovery & reuse Other ideas?Other ideas?

LandscapingLandscaping Water Efficiency Water Efficiency

NaturescapingNaturescaping– Planning & DesignPlanning & Design– Soil Analysis & Soil Analysis &

ImprovementImprovement– Proper Plant Proper Plant

SelectionSelection– Practical Turf AreasPractical Turf Areas– Efficient IrrigationEfficient Irrigation– Use MulchesUse Mulches– Proper MaintenanceProper Maintenance– Watering GuidanceWatering Guidance

Remember the Typical Remember the Typical Institutional Water Institutional Water BalanceBalance

School and Universities

Domestic48%Landscaping

30%

Unaccounted for4%

Cooling & Heating

5%

Once through Cooling

5%

Kitchen4%

Laundry3%

Leaks1%

The Cost of WaterThe Cost of Water

Units of water X $/unit (water) Units of water X $/unit (sewerage charge )

= Your water bill

Top Water Efficiency MeasuresTop Water Efficiency Measures

Recycle waterRecycle water Improve maintenance Improve maintenance

to replace partsto replace parts Use domestic water Use domestic water

efficiency measuresefficiency measures Change operational Change operational

practicespractices Adjust cooling tower Adjust cooling tower

blowdownblowdown Repair leaksRepair leaks

Reduce irrigation Reduce irrigation schedulesschedules

Adjust equipmentAdjust equipment Install spray nozzlesInstall spray nozzles Install/replace Install/replace

automatic shut-offsautomatic shut-offs Reduce dishwasher Reduce dishwasher

loadsloads Turn off equipment Turn off equipment

when not in usewhen not in use

What utilities do?What utilities do?

Water Conservation DriversWater Conservation Drivers– Ordinance / Stage statusOrdinance / Stage status– ““excess use” surchargesexcess use” surcharges– Enforcement & Civil PenaltiesEnforcement & Civil Penalties

NegotiateNegotiate

What can utility staff What can utility staff do?do? Promote AwarenessPromote Awareness

Media CoverageMedia CoverageHighlighting the ChampionsHighlighting the ChampionsBilling insertsBilling insertsWebsiteWebsite

CommunicationsCommunications– Business RoundtablesBusiness Roundtables– Council Sessions Council Sessions – ““Tell us what you are Tell us what you are

doing?” on websitedoing?” on website

What can outsiders What can outsiders do?do?

On-site AssistanceOn-site Assistance

– In-houseIn-houseUsing Self Assessment Checklist, Using Self Assessment Checklist,

Data surveys, benchmarking, Data surveys, benchmarking, etcetc

– Division of Pollution Division of Pollution Prevention & WRPPrevention & WRP

Vendors & Vendors & SuppliersSuppliers

Things to RememberThings to Remember

Industry regulatory requirements: Industry regulatory requirements: USDA, FDA, Local health USDA, FDA, Local health requirementsrequirements

Local building codes, fire safetyLocal building codes, fire safety EPA/State – water reuse rules, EPA/State – water reuse rules,

impacts to dischargeimpacts to discharge Customer / Product quality Customer / Product quality

expectations & requirementsexpectations & requirements

Things to AskThings to AskYourselfYourself Do we have continuing senior Do we have continuing senior

management commitment?management commitment? Do we have the information we need?Do we have the information we need? Have we established a team?Have we established a team? Do we have an Action Plan & schedule?Do we have an Action Plan & schedule? How are we promoting awareness?How are we promoting awareness? How are we encouraging How are we encouraging

employee/student participation?employee/student participation? Are contingency plans in the works?Are contingency plans in the works?

ResourcesResources Technical Assistance & On-site AssessmentsTechnical Assistance & On-site Assessments -NCDPPEA – Ron Pridgeon, (919) 715-6517, -NCDPPEA – Ron Pridgeon, (919) 715-6517, ronron

..pridgeonpridgeon@@ncmailncmail.net.net-Terry Albrecht (828) 251-6622, -Terry Albrecht (828) 251-6622, terry.albrecht@ncmail.netterry.albrecht@ncmail.net

Fact Sheets, Checklists, Manuals, PostersFact Sheets, Checklists, Manuals, Posters www.SustainableNC.org/water.htmwww.SustainableNC.org/water.htm

NC Drought Information:NC Drought Information: www.ncwater.orgwww.ncwater.org State Agency Mandates:State Agency Mandates: www.SustainableNC.orgwww.SustainableNC.org

Checklists • Office Buildings • Dormitory/Group Living Operations • Food Service Operations • Hospitals/Medical Facilities • Industrial Laundering Operations • Landscaping/Irrigation • Schools • & bunch of Factsheets

Posters • Water Conservation Poster• Water Conservation Workplace Tips• Poster Water Conservation Message• Drip Reporting

Checklists and Posters

www.SustainableNC.org/water.htm

What Contingency Measures What Contingency Measures are we seeing in NC?are we seeing in NC?1. Shutting down of all restrooms, food 1. Shutting down of all restrooms, food

preparation areas and water fountains.preparation areas and water fountains.2. Putting portable restroom facilities in use.2. Putting portable restroom facilities in use.3. Making bottled water available to employees.3. Making bottled water available to employees.4. Drilling wells to supply water to 4. Drilling wells to supply water to

manufacturing processes.manufacturing processes.5. Bringing in water by tanker truck from 5. Bringing in water by tanker truck from

geographical areas with more abundant water geographical areas with more abundant water supplies.supplies.

6. Treating and recycling waste water generated 6. Treating and recycling waste water generated by the manufacturing process back into the by the manufacturing process back into the manufacturing process and/or cooling towers.manufacturing process and/or cooling towers.

"When the well is dry,

we know the worth of water."--Benjamin Franklin