Owners, builders, contractors, and facility managers looking to GO GREEN will find many advantages with Universal Water Technologies’ systems.

We work with you to maximize LEED points with the combined use of a variety of energy savings technologies. There are potentially up to five LEED points that are made possible via the use of this technology. (LEED doesn’t directly address chemical or water use in cooling towers, so these points are earned for “Innovation in Design.” If blow-down water is used for flushing urinals, there may also be points in “Water Efficiency.” Other possible points are explained below.)

The USGBC LEED NCv2.2 reference guide states that “In the United States, approximately 340 billion gallons of fresh water are [SIC] withdrawn per day from rivers, streams and reservoirs to support residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and recreational activities….On an annual basis, the water deficit in the United States is currently estimated at about 3,700 billion gallons.

UNIVERSAL WATER TECHNOLOGIES is doing its part to protect water resources by eliminating the discharge of chemicals to our waterways. By offering the ECO TOWER SYSTEM non-chemical water treatment for evaporative cooled equipment, the resultant chemical-free blow down water can be used in a variety of applications that can contribute to earning credits in the LEED® Green Building Rating system.

The LEED® Green Building Rating system is organized into five environmental categories:

• Sustainable Sites (SS)
• Water Efficiency (WE)
• Energy & Atmosphere (EA)
• Materials & Resources (MR)
• Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ)

An additional category, Innovation & Design Process (ID) addresses sustainable building designs not covered under the five previous categories. The ECO TOWER SYSTEM non-chemical water treatment system is typically submitted under Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality and the Innovation & Design Process categories.

Potential Points

WE Credit 1.1: Water Efficient Landscaping: Reduce by 50% 2 points

The ECO TOWER SYSTEM reduces potable water use in a building by supplying chemical-free blow down water from evaporative, cooled products. This water is often used for onsite irrigation* in lieu of potable water. The volume of blow down water available from a cooling tower is estimated by UNIVERSAL WATER TECHNOLOGIES.

WE Credit 1.2: Water Efficient Landscaping: No Potable Water Use or No Irrigation 2 points

After receiving WE Credit 1.1, the LEED team can apply for WE Credit 1.2. WE Credit 1.2 requires the exclusive use of recycled wastewater. A substantial portion of this recycled water is provided from the blow down of the ECO TOWER SYSTEM treated evaporative cooled equipment. The volume of blow down water available from the cooling tower is calculated by UNIVERSAL WATER TECHNOLOGIES.

WE Credit 2: Innovative Wastewater Technologies 1point

This credit awards points for reducing wastewater generation and potable water use. The ECO TOWER SYSTEM treated blow down can be discharged to a storm water drain* in lieu of sending it to a sanitary line. This alternate plumbing design relieves the wastewater treatment plant of a large volume of chemically laden water. In fact, a few counties in the U.S. have enacted laws restricting cooling tower owners from discharging to a wastewater treatment plant.

EQ Credit 5: Indoor Environmental Quality: Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control 1 Point

The intent of this credit is to minimize the exposure of building occupants to chemical pollutants. By switching to the ECO TOWER SYSTEM treated evaporative cooling equipment, the design engineer/architect eliminates a separately vented and isolated chemical use room as required for this credit. Not only will the ECO TOWER SYSTEM minimize exposure to water treatment chemicals, it eliminates the chemicals.

ID Credit 1: Innovation & Design Process 1 Point

This credit is awarded based on exceptional performance above and beyond existing LEED credit requirements. Systems similar to the ECO TOWER SYSTEM have been successfully submitted for Innovation points on several projects by eliminating potential operational hazards due to transportation, handling, and storage of toxic chemicals, and by removing chemicals from the environment.

* Note: Check with local government agencies for regulations governing use of this discharge water. Recycled water for irrigation may have to be discharged underground to reduce exposure to occupants.

Built Environment (Renovation) vs. New Construction

One of the major drawbacks of green building is the high initial investment and slow Return On Investment (ROI). Our systems are designed with cost effectiveness in mind, offer a very quick ROI (typically 12-24 months), and are easily installed in existing buildings. In addition to saving money on energy, water, and chemicals, you will see additional savings in maintenance and manpower costs, and for repair and replacement of equipment.

Please browse through our site to learn more about our solutions and services. Contact us anytime for a FREE COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS or to speak with a LEED consultant who can help evaluate your LEED opportunities.