Robert Benazzi
Jaros Baaum & Bolles
Partner Emeritus
Pilot-Credits WEpc17: Cooling tower water use
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To conserve water used for cooling tower makeup while controlling microbes, corrosion, and scale in the condenser water system.
Pilot Credit Closed
This pilot credit was closed to new pilot credit registrations on 3/1/2015. It is now available in the LEED Innovation Catalog for ongoing use by project teams as an innovation point rather than a pilot credit.Requirements
* This credit language is drawn from the LEED v4 draft. Where other point totals are noted, this pilot credit is worth 1 point in total. *For cooling towers and evaporative condensers, conduct a one-time potable water analysis, in order to optimize cooling tower cycles. Measure at least the five control parameters listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Maximum concentrations for parameters in condenser water
| Parameter | Maximum level |
|---|---|
| Ca (as CaCO3) | 1,000 ppm |
| Total alkalinity | 1,000 ppm |
| SiO2 | 100 ppm |
| Cl- | 250 ppm |
| Conductivity | 2000 µS/cm |
Table 2. Points for cooling tower cycles
| Cooling tower cycles | Points |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of cycles achieved without exceeding any filtration levels or affecting operation of condenser water system (up to maximum of 10 cycles) | 1 |
| Achieve a minimum 10 cycles by increasing the level of treatment in condenser or make-up water OR Achieve the number of cycles for 1 point and use a minimum 20% recycled nonpotable water |
2 |
General Pilot Documentation Requirements
Register for the pilot credit- Participate in the LEEDuser pilot credit forum
- Complete the feedback survey:
Credit specific
Provide the following:- A water analysis measuring as a minimum the five control parameters measured in ppm or mg/l.
- Narrative describing the water treatment system and the number of cycles which the cooling tower can achieve without exceeding the control parameters. The narrative should also include the predicted acceptable corrosion rates for each pipe material within the condenser water system.
Additional questions:
noneChanges
- Changes made for 2nd Public Comment (08/01/2011): Separate language for EBOM projects to conform with new EBOM rating system structure Added Healthcare as an applicable rating system type. Clarification of cooling tower analysis process which requires a one time potable water analysis, following by an assessment of the maximum number of cycles appropriate to the project, along with additional measures to improve cooling tower efficiency.
- Changes made for 3rd Public Comment (03/01/2012): Removed CI & Retail CI from applicable rating systems Removed equipment requirements from EB:O&M Separated EBOM & BD+C submittal requirements to reflect change to EBOM requirements.
- Changes made for 5th Public Comment (1/15/2013): Updated tables to align with 5th Public Comment changes to LEED v4 WEc3. Removed additional BD+C documentation requirements that correspond to WEp2 from v4 draft.
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Documentation toolkit
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LEEDuser overview
Frank advice from LEED experts
LEED is changing all the time, and every project is unique. Even seasoned professionals can miss a critical detail and lose a credit or even a prerequisite at the last minute. Our expert advice guides our LEEDuser Premium members and saves you valuable time.
For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium
Already a premium member? Log in now
Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To conserve water used for cooling tower makeup while controlling microbes, corrosion, and scale in the condenser water system.
Pilot Credit Closed
This pilot credit was closed to new pilot credit registrations on 3/1/2015. It is now available in the LEED Innovation Catalog for ongoing use by project teams as an innovation point rather than a pilot credit.Requirements
* This credit language is drawn from the LEED v4 draft. Where other point totals are noted, this pilot credit is worth 1 point in total. *For cooling towers and evaporative condensers, conduct a one-time potable water analysis, in order to optimize cooling tower cycles. Measure at least the five control parameters listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Maximum concentrations for parameters in condenser water
| Parameter | Maximum level |
|---|---|
| Ca (as CaCO3) | 1,000 ppm |
| Total alkalinity | 1,000 ppm |
| SiO2 | 100 ppm |
| Cl- | 250 ppm |
| Conductivity | 2000 µS/cm |
Table 2. Points for cooling tower cycles
| Cooling tower cycles | Points |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of cycles achieved without exceeding any filtration levels or affecting operation of condenser water system (up to maximum of 10 cycles) | 1 |
| Achieve a minimum 10 cycles by increasing the level of treatment in condenser or make-up water OR Achieve the number of cycles for 1 point and use a minimum 20% recycled nonpotable water |
2 |
General Pilot Documentation Requirements
Register for the pilot credit- Participate in the LEEDuser pilot credit forum
- Complete the feedback survey:
Credit specific
Provide the following:- A water analysis measuring as a minimum the five control parameters measured in ppm or mg/l.
- Narrative describing the water treatment system and the number of cycles which the cooling tower can achieve without exceeding the control parameters. The narrative should also include the predicted acceptable corrosion rates for each pipe material within the condenser water system.
Additional questions:
noneChanges
- Changes made for 2nd Public Comment (08/01/2011): Separate language for EBOM projects to conform with new EBOM rating system structure Added Healthcare as an applicable rating system type. Clarification of cooling tower analysis process which requires a one time potable water analysis, following by an assessment of the maximum number of cycles appropriate to the project, along with additional measures to improve cooling tower efficiency.
- Changes made for 3rd Public Comment (03/01/2012): Removed CI & Retail CI from applicable rating systems Removed equipment requirements from EB:O&M Separated EBOM & BD+C submittal requirements to reflect change to EBOM requirements.
- Changes made for 5th Public Comment (1/15/2013): Updated tables to align with 5th Public Comment changes to LEED v4 WEc3. Removed additional BD+C documentation requirements that correspond to WEp2 from v4 draft.
Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium
Already a premium member? Log in now
Guest expert
Robert Benazzi
Jaros Baaum & Bolles
Partner Emeritus