Invisible Water Waste Is an Avoidable Cost

Water waste is a hidden expense that can significantly impact your facility’s bottom line. It’s often overlooked because it’s not immediately visible, but the costs can add up quickly, especially in large facilities like hospitals. Recently, a large hospital faced this exact challenge after a routine cooling tower cleanout, which left their system unable to return to its normal conductivity range: https://bit.ly/3zufpD1. This anomaly led to the unnecessary use of approximately 225K gallons of water, as more makeup water was added than usual to compensate for the instability.

🚱 Problems

The hospital’s maintenance team was initially puzzled by the persistent conductivity issues. But with real-time data provided by Symphony, they were able to diagnose the problem accurately. Symphony’s advanced monitoring capabilities revealed both cooling towers were running simultaneously, causing an overflow event that was not immediately apparent. This overflow led to excessive water use, as the system continuously tried to stabilize water levels.

💡 Solutions

After thorough analysis and a site visit, the Aquanomix team suggested they run only one cooling tower at a time. This recommendation was based on the real-time data insights and expert analysis provided by Symphony. By implementing this change, the hospital was able to bring the system back within the normal conductivity range, significantly reducing the unnecessary water usage that had been occurring. This adjustment not only resolved the immediate issue but also optimized the overall performance of the cooling system.

✅ Outcome

The hospital’s quick action — guided by Symphony’s insights — resulted in substantial water savings. They managed to reduce the use of makeup water by approximately 225K gallons, directly translating to cost savings and improved resource efficiency. During the site visit, Aquanomix’s Account Management team also discovered the equalizer line was dirty — and water was contaminated by clumps of dirt and sludge. Recognizing the potential risk for Legionella colonization, we collaborated with the hospital’s water treater to develop a plan to clean the equalizer line thoroughly to prevent future contamination.

This case underscores the critical importance of addressing invisible water waste. By leveraging smart water management solutions like Symphony, facilities can transform hidden costs into visible savings, ensuring compliance, enhancing sustainability, and protecting public health. Real-time monitoring and advanced analytics not only help in identifying and resolving issues promptly but also optimize water management practices, leading to long-term operational efficiency and cost reduction.

Don’t let invisible water waste drain your resources. Visit Aquanomix.com to discover how Symphony can help.