MANAGING WATER AND ITS CONSERVATION

BY SHION .K.BABU

III B.COM(CA) O9CCU004

WHY CONSERVE WATER?1.It is a resource that is a benefit to everyone.2. To save money. Lower consumption means lower water bills. 3. To keep rates low. Maximizing current water supplies helps defer the need to develop new, more expensive sources of water.4. To prepare for a drought. Many areas of the country have experienced drought conditions in the past few years. Water conservation helps prepare for these worst of times.5. To comply with regulations. Many states and local regulators have established efficient water use regulations

TWO TYPES OF PRACTICES

1. Engineering practices: practices based on modifications in plumbing, fixtures, or water supply operating procedures.

2. Behavioral practices: practices based on changing water use habit.

MONITORING

Provides baseline information on quantities of overall company water use, the seasonal and hourly patterns of water use, and the quantities and quality of water use in individual processes. Baseline information on water use can be used to set company goals and to develop specific water use efficiency measures. Monitoring also raises employee awareness. Records of meter readings can be used to identify changes in water use rates and possible problems in a system.

SUB METERING

The practice of placing water meters throughout a facility is called sub metering. Sub metering helps account for water usage and can help in the process of leak detection. Areas to consider sub metering are landscaped areas, cafeterias, laundries, and major industrial equipment that use water. Sub metering makes water users more aware of how much water they use and its cost. By placing meters and monitoring those meters throughout a facility, experts estimate that a facility can help reduce water usage by 20 to 40 percent.

METER ACCURACYWater meters can be damaged and deteriorate with age, thus producing inaccurate readings. All meters, especially older meters, should be tested for accuracy on a regular basis. Meters that are used to measure large volumes of water may be too large for a customer's level of use and will tend to under-register water use. A Meter testing, calibration, repair, and replacement program needs to be established.

LEAK DETECTIONleaks saves money on water bills. The early detection of leaks also reduces the chances that leaks will cause major property damage. A leak detection strategy needs to employ regular on-site testing methods for detecting leaks along water distribution mains, valves, services, and meters. Leak detection programs are especially important in facilities that have large, old, deteriorating systems.

REDUCING WATER PRESSURE

Reducing excessive pressures in the water distribution system can save a significant quantity of water. Reducing water pressure can decrease leakage, the amount of flow through open faucets, and stresses on pipes and joints that may result in leaks. Lower water pressure may also decrease system deterioration, reducing the need for repairs and extending the life of existing facilities. Lower pressures can help reduce wear on end-use fixtures and appliances

WATER REUSEWater reuse is the use of wastewater or reclaimed water (sometimes called “gray water”) from one application for another application. Some potential applications include other industrial uses in cooling water at power plants and oil refineries or industrial process water for such facilities as paper mills and carpet dyers, toilet flushing, dust control, construction activities, concrete mixing, and artificial lakes. Reused water can also be used in landscape irrigation, agricultural irrigation, aesthetic uses such as fountains, and fire protection.

COOLING WATER RECIRCULATION

The use of water for cooling in industrial applications represents one of the largest water uses in the United States. The most water-intensive cooling method used in industrial applications is once-through cooling, in which water contacts and lowers the temperature of a heat source and then is discharged. Recycling water with a re circulating cooling system can greatly reduce water use by using the same water to perform several cooling operations. Three cooling water conservation approaches that can be used to reduce water use are evaporative cooling , ozonation , and air heat exchange.

EVAPORATION COOLERS

The principal use of water by evaporative coolers is to increase the humidity of incoming air being drawn into a building and decrease its temperature. The building’s air cools as it absorbs the moisture. Evaporative coolers require an annual maintenance check-up for the most efficient cooling.

OZONATION

The use of ozone to treat cooling tower water (ozonation): Can result in a 99% reduction in the appearance of bacteria. And personnel no longer have to handle chlorine, bromine, phosphates, and other chemicals. It helps keep the metal surfaces of pipes and equipment clean, making equipment more energy efficient. Controls corrosion by producing a protective coating on metal surfaces, extending equipment life. Acts as a strong disinfectant. Can use lower amounts of high-quality water and it reduces cooling tower blow down water consumption by 50 to 90%.

AIR HEAT EXCHANGE

Air heat exchange works on the same principle as a car's radiator. In an air heat exchanger, a fan blows air past finned tubes carrying the re circulating cooling water. Air heat exchangers involve no water loss, but they can be relatively expensive when compared with cooling towers. Air heat exchangers can be more reliable and more productive than water cooling

ONCE-THROUGH COOLING

Many facilities have one or more pieces of equipment cooled by a single-pass flow of water. After passing through and cooling the equipment, the water is usually discarded to a sanitary sewer system.Equipment that might use a once-through cooling system include degreasers, rectifiers, hydraulic equipment, x-ray machines, condensers, and viscosity baths. Also air conditioners, air compressors, hydraulic presses, welders and vacuum pumps

METAL FINISHING

Platters and finishers, printed circuit board operators, fabricators, integrated circuit metal fabricators and other facilities use numerous process rinses and reaction baths. Water is essential in the manufacturing process for these facilities. There are several water conserving methods that manufacturers should consider including: Flow Monitoring and Control, First Stage Static Tanks, Counter flow Rinsing, Spray Rinsing, Membrane Technologies, Ion Exchange and Electrolyte Recovery

CAFETERIAS AND RESTAURANTS

Use water in garbage disposer only during operation. If thawing foods in cold running water, change to thawing under refrigeration, in a microwave, or in the cooking process. “Double Dip” to clean large volumes of produce. Replace "once through" water cooled ice machines and refrigeration condensers with air cooled machines. Limit dishwashing to full loads. Turn off the continuous flow used to clean the drain trays of the coffee/milk/soda beverage island.

HOSPITALS AND CLINICSTurn off water required for film processing or cooling in the X-ray department when not in use. Recycle water where feasible, consistent with state and county requirements. Use full loads in sanitizer, sterilizer, dishwasher, and washing machines. Overhaul faulty steam traps on sterilizers. Replace equipment with water-saving models. Reduce the load on air conditioning units by shutting off air conditioning when and where it is not needed. Recover condensate and use it as make-up water

CLOSED-LOOP VEHICLE WASHERS

The closed loop vehicle washers are facilities that completely recycle the wash water used in cleaning cars, trucks, etc. Wash water will go through three different treatment units before being recycled for reuse. The alpha treatment unit is an oil/water separator. The beta treatment unit removes fine dirt particles and any remaining hydrocarbons. The omega treatment adds ozone to the water before reuse.

RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Rain Water Harvesting is capturing and storing rainfall to irrigate plants or to supply people and animals. A well-designed system will also decrease your landscape maintenance needs. All you need for a water harvesting system is rain, and a place to put it. A "catchment" is any large surface that can capture and/or carry water to where it can be used immediately or stored.

RAIN WATER HARVESTING

A water surplus available at the right time of year makes storage well worth the time and effort. A surplus becomes impractical when it must be stored for more than several months. Water stored for long periods of time will stagnate and become a health hazard. You can store water in a variety of ways: 55-gallon steel drums, oak barrels or underground storage tanks. Regular maintenance is critical to any dependable water harvesting system

A water surplus available at the right time of year makes storage well worth the time and effort. A surplus becomes impractical when it must be stored for more than several months. Water stored for long periods of time will stagnate and become a health hazard. You can store water in a variety of ways: 55-gallon steel drums, oak barrels or underground storage tanks. Regular maintenance is critical to any dependable water harvesting system.

XERISCAPE LANDSCAPE

Businesses can save water in landscaping by using the principles of Xeriscape™, an efficiency-oriented approach to landscaping that encompasses seven essential principles: Planning and design Limited turf areas Efficient irrigation Soil improvement Mulching Use of lower water demand plants Appropriate maintenance