JANUARY 2020
Alternative Water Treatment for Cooling Towers

From 2010 to 2020, the average water rates GSA paid increased 78%. To address rapidly escalating costs and federally mandated water-reduction targets, GSA tested six alternative water treatment (AWT) technologies. On average, these AWT technologies have reduced cooling tower water use by 26%.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) report summarizes the first four evaluations. Two more evaluations will be completed by December, 2022.

Download Findings

• 1-page infographic

• NREL full report

Additional Resources

• DOE/EERE Report: Continuous Monitoring and Partial Water Softening for Cooling Tower Water Treatment

• Best Management Practice Cooling Tower Management (FEMP)

• Side Stream Filtration for Cooling Towers (FEMP/PNNL, October 2012)

• Side Stream Filtration Fact Sheet (FEMP/PNNL, October 2012)

• Understanding Cooling Towers and How to Improve Water Efficiency (FEMP, February 2011)