Alternative water, sourced from non-freshwater supplies such as harvested rainwater, captured condensate, and reclaimed wastewater, presents sustainable solutions to water supply challenges. This step-by-step guide walks users through the process of assessing and implementing alternative water projects.
The following steps contain a variety of documents, resources, and tools to fully evaluate alternative water as an option for your facility:
The term "facility" is used throughout the steps and is meant to include a single building or multiple buildings in a campus setting.
Potable water is of sufficient quality for human consumption. Alternative water will require comprehensive treatment and disinfection to meet Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
Non-potable water is not of sufficient quality for human consumption.
Step 1: Identify the Facility's Current Water End-Use Equipment
Begin by identifying major water-consuming equipment at your facility. This step aids in pinpointing potential candidates for utilizing alternative water.
- Inventory water-using equipment and categorize the end-uses by treatment level (potable vs. non-potable).
- Use the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Best Management Practices for Water Efficiency and resources on water treatment levels.
- Common Potable End-Uses
- Drinking water
- Restroom and kitchen faucets
- Showerheads
- Kitchen equipment (food preparation)
- Common Non-Potable End-Uses
- Irrigation
- Cooling tower make-up
- Vehicle wash
- Toilet and urinal flushing
- Common Potable End-Uses
Step 2: Quantify Water Consumption by End-Use
Quantify water consumption for each end-use, focusing on those with significant usage for potential alternative water projects.
- Use FEMP's Water Balance Tool for online and free estimation of water consumption.
- Find additional information on the FEMP Water Evaluations Tools webpage, a resource detailing guidance on estimating water use and utilizing the Water Balance Tool.
For identified end-uses suitable for alternative water, consider ways to reduce water consumption. Explore optimization processes and increase water efficiency using FEMP's Best Management Practices for Water Efficiency, offering operation and maintenance (O&M) improvements, retrofit options, and replacements.
Step 3: Identify Alternative Water Sources
Evaluate potential alternative water sources for identified end-uses using FEMP's suite of tools and resources.
- Rainwater Harvesting Tool: An online GIS-based mapping tool providing zip-code level monthly data on rainwater harvesting potential across the United States.
- Condensate Capture Potential Map: A static map showcasing the potential to capture condensate water from air-handling units.
- Reclaimed Wastewater Map: An interactive web-based tool highlighting water utilities selling reclaimed wastewater to their customers.
Step 4: Plan For Alternative Water Project Requirements
Once the right alternative water source is matched with the end-use, develop a project plan, considering system sizing, and O&M.
- Calculate Potential: Quantify alternative water using the Rainwater Harvesting Calculator, an Excel-based tool estimating rainwater volume for locations across the United States.
- Site Strategically: Identify an ideal location for the project, considering co-location for efficiency and space requirements.
- Determine System Requirements: Refer to FEMP Best Management Practices #14: Alternative Water Sources and Rainwater Harvesting Technology Review for information on system components and O&M requirements.
Next, develop a scope of work, estimate costs, identify funding, and execute the project.
Explore FEMP resources on project funding and implementation for more information.
Portfolio PlanningStrategically plan alternative water project installations:
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