WATER USE MANAGEMENT TOOLS David Vago, P.E. NP-00E01561 Small Manufacturers Source Reduction Project

David C. Vago, P.E. BSCE – Michigan Technological University— Concentration JD – Michigan State University College of Law 11 years with MDOT 3 years with Wayne County DPW (2 as Deputy Director) 25 years in Contract Ops of Water and Wastewater Facilities PE – Michigan, Ohio, Florida and Delaware RETAP Analyst since 2013

WHY SAVE WATER AND ENERGY? Operational cost savings Water, sewer, and energy rates have risen well above inflation. Saving water saves energy costs for heating and treating water. Improving fixtures and systems can reduce maintenance calls. Competitive edge in the green marketplace More companies are making water conservation a priority. Reduced risk Be less vulnerable to fluctuations in water supply or price increases. Sustainability leadership in the community Receive recognition for participating in the ENERGY STAR® National Building Competition and the H2Otel Challenge Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

WATER SENSE

WATER SENSE – EPA’s best management standard Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

ELEMENTS OF THE WATER SENSE PROGRAM Making the Business Case - There is a strong business case for water efficiency in commercial and institutional buildings: Reducing water use lowers cost Operating and maintaining equipment, Energy to heat, treat, store, and deliver water.

ELEMENTS OF THE WATER SENSE PROGRAM Making the Business Case Over the past ten years, the costs of water and wastewater services have risen at a rate well above the consumer price index. Facility managers can expect these and other utility costs to continue to increase in order to offset the costs of replacing aging water supply systems.

ELEMENTS OF THE WATER SENSE PROGRAM Making the Business Case Carrying out and communicating water efficiency efforts can position companies and facility managers as leaders in their community who are helping to improve sustainability. It can also help them pursue recognition in the green marketplace

ELEMENTS OF THE WATER SENSE PROGRAM Planning Effective water management planning is easily coupled with energy and waste management and follows the same framework used in the ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy Management, which consists of these basic steps: Step 1. Making a commitment Step 2. Assessing facility water use Step 3. Setting and communicating goals Step 4. Creating an action plan Step 5. Implementing the action plan Step 6. Evaluating progress Step 7. Recognizing achievement

ELEMENTS OF THE WATER SENSE PROGRAM Metering You can't manage what you don't measure. Tracking a facility's total water use, as well as specific end uses, is a key component of the facility's water-efficiency efforts. Accurately measuring water use can help facility managers identify areas for targeted reductions and to track progress from water-efficiency upgrades. Submeters can also help identify leaks and indicate when equipment is malfunctioning.

ELEMENTS OF THE WATER SENSE PROGRAM Leaks Unfortunately, leaks often go undetected, particularly if a facility is not routinely monitoring its water use. On average, leaks can account for more than 6 percent of a facility’s total water use. Identifying and repairing leaks and other water use anomalies within a facility’s water distribution system or from particular processes or equipment can keep a facility from wasting significant quantities of water. As described in the table below, water leaks can add up over time.

ASSESMENT TOOLS

RESTROOM FIXTURES

WATER USE IN COMMERCIAL FACILITIES Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Restroom fixture data is a priority Age of Fixtures Hours of Facility Operation Number of employees Male/Female mix Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

What does the tool do?

ASSUMPTIONS The calculations are based on assumptions given in section 3.0 of the EPA publication “Water Sense at Work: Best Management Practices for Commercial and Industrial Facilities”, Publication EPA 832-f-12-034, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, October, 2012, which are as follows: • Toilets installed starting in the mid-1970s typically have standard flush volumes of 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) or 5.0 gpf. • Toilets installed in 1994 or later have standard flush volumes of 1.6 gpf; however, newer dual flush toilets have volumes as low as 1.0 gpf.

ASSUMPTIONS • Average number of times the toilet is flushed per day, is dependent on the facility’s male-to-female ratio. Female building occupants use the toilet three times per day on average, while male building occupants use the toilet once per day on average. • Average number of times the urinal is flushed per day, is dependent on the number of male building occupants. Male building occupants use the urinal two times per day on average. The RETAP team assumed 3.5 gpf for old toilets and 1.5 gpf for old urinals The RETAP team assumed 1.3 gpf for new toilets and 1.0 gpf for new urinals

COOLING TOWERS

Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Evaporation - Not a target for water efficiency Blowdown/bleed-off Water losses Evaporation - Not a target for water efficiency Blowdown/bleed-off Controls the concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS) Largest opportunity for water use reduction Drift Leaks and Overflow Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Cycles of concentration Make-up = Evaporation + Blowdown + Drift (negligible) • Minimize make-up quantity by minimizing blowdown. • Cycles of Concentration is the ratio of the concentration of TDS (i.e., conductivity) in the blowdown water to the conductivity of the make-up water. Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Cycles of concentration Cycles of Concentration approximately equal to the ratio of volume of make-up water to blowdown water. Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Savings potential from increased cycles Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Monitor water chemistry and flow Cooling tower bmps Monitor water chemistry and flow Install water meters on the make-up and blowdown lines Use conductivity data to regularly calculate and monitor cycles of concentration Ensure cooling tower fill valves cut off cleanly Read water chemistry reports Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Maximize cycles of concentration Cooling tower bmps Maximize cycles of concentration Choose a water treatment vendor that specializes in water efficiency and will maximize your cycles of concentration Control your tower’s water chemistry to control scaling and mineral build-up Check that the ratios of make-up to blowdown water quantities and blowdown to make-up water conductivities are equal Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Air handler condensate recovery Water vapor in the air condenses as it comes into contact with an air conditioner’s cooling coils. Condensate is typically collected in drip pans and sent to the sewer. Condensate generation ranges from 3 to 10 gallons per day per 1,000 square feet of air-conditioned space. Perfect for cooling tower make-up water, as it is free of minerals and TDS and cooler than ambient air. Generated in highest volumes during periods of high cooling loads. Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Resources for cooling tower guidance Best Management Practices for Industrial Water Users http://www.twdb.texas.gov/conservation/BMPs/Ind/index.asp Cooling Tower Efficiency Guide for Property Managers http://business.edf.org/files/2014/03/Cooling-Tower-Handbook_FINAL.pdf  

Landscaping & irrigation

Landscaping A well-designed, healthy, water-efficient landscape includes: Healthy soils to promote water infiltration and root growth Appropriate grading with gentle slopes Mulching of landscaped beds to keep soils cool and moist Drought-tolerant, native, or climate/regionally-appropriate plant species Minimal turf area Hydrozoning Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Landscaping – retrofit & replacement Site preparation Keep native vegetation and soils. Minimize soil compaction. Grade steep slopes, or install plants with deep root zones to minimize erosion. Plant selection Select drought-tolerant or climate appropriate plantings. Incorporate shade trees. Avoid “strip grass.” Consider installing rain gardens. Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Landscaping – potential savings A water-efficient landscape can reduce irrigation water use by up to 50 percent. A water-efficient landscape can also provide ancillary benefits, such as reduced fertilizer use, maintenance, and fuel use. Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

irrigation Experts estimate that up to 50 percent of water used for irrigation is lost due to wind, evaporation, and overwatering caused by: Poor irrigation system design Improper system installation and management Lack of maintenance Improper scheduling Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Irrigation o & m bmpS Irrigation system operation Update irrigation schedules regularly. Schedule each individual zone separately. Install and monitor water meters to indicate inefficiencies or leaks Irrigation system maintenance Audit your irrigation system using an irrigation professional certified by a WaterSense labeled program. Periodically monitor the effectiveness of the system throughout the irrigation season. Move or adjust sprinkler components to avoid watering of pavement or other hardscapes. Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Irrigation system retrofits Irrigation system controllers and sensors Replace existing, timer-based controllers with a WaterSense labeled weather-based irrigation controller (WBIC). Ensure WBIC is installed and programmed properly by professional. Consider installing a soil moisture sensor or rain sensor programmed to bypass irrigation when it is not needed. Consider installing other sensors, such as wind or freeze sensors. Source: Final WS_H2Otel_C for Change_10-22-15.pdf www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html

Additional resources http://www.epa.gov/watersense/ WaterSense at Work Water Conservation - Resource Listing Water Conservation Summary Checklists NP-00E01561

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS