A site-wide approach to water conservation: Procedures, results and lessons learned
In response to Executive Order 12902, {open_quotes}Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation at Federal Facilities,{close_quotes} the U.S. Army Forces Command commissioned Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to conduct a sitewide water efficiency assessment at Fort Dix, located in Fort Dix, New Jersey. This analysis assessed more than 900 base and family housing buildings for cost-effective water resource opportunities (WROs). The analysis proved challenging due to variations in building age, size, occupancy (seasonally varying), and fixture use. Furthermore, metered water consumption data were available only at the point of treatment, prior to distribution. The approach used by PNNL included site visits to audit base buildings for fixture counts and types. Where possible flow measurements were performed on existing fixtures. Aggregations of base buildings into representative building sets were completed based on building and water-fixture type, age, and use. A spreadsheet model was developed to evaluate baseline water use and to calculate savings potential and life-cycle cost economics. This model includes a number of exogenous parameters to facilitate input changes and allow for sensitivity analysis on variables such as water cost, occupancy, and fixture densities. This paper discusses the methodology used to evaluate water use and savings at large federal facilities. It also presents the cost-effective WROs and accompanying economics. At Fort Dix, the cost-effective WROs are estimated to save 36.3 million gallons per year, or about 23% of the water use analyzed. Lessons learned included the need for an initial screening to prioritize water use, the need to develop accurate age-based water fixture characteristics and densities by building type, and the importance of the marginal cost of water for facilities producing their own water.
- OSTI ID:
- 478182
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-961173-; TRN: 97:002008-0005
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 19. world energy engineering congress, Atlanta, GA (United States), 6-8 Nov 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Energy business and technology sourcebook: Proceedings of the 19th world energy engineering congress; PB: 708 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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