The maximum number of points for Water Efficiency Credit, Cooling Tower Water Use can be...

Achieving a minimum of 10 cooling tower cycles by increasing the level of make-up water treatment is the way to obtain the maximum number of points for Water Efficiency Credit, Cooling Tower Water Use. This credit aims to conserve water used for cooling tower equipment by encouraging the use of non-potable water sources and increasing the cycles of concentration 1 . The cycles of concentration are the ratio of the concentration of dissolved solids in the blowdown water to the concentration of dissolved solids in the make-up water 2 . Increasing the cycles of concentration reduces the amount of make-up water and blowdown water, and thus saves water and energy 2 . The credit has two options: Option 1. Non-potable Water Source (1 point) and Option 2. Cooling Tower Water Use (2 points). Option 1 requires using at least 50% non-potable water for cooling tower make-up water 1 . Option 2 requires achieving a minimum number of cooling tower cycles based on the quality of the make-up water, as specified in Table 1 of the credit requirements 1 . The maximum number of cycles is 10, which can be achieved by increasing the level of make-up water treatment to meet the criteria for conductivity, silica, and alkalinity 1 . Therefore, Option 2 is the way to obtain the maximum number of points for this credit. References :

Credit: Cooling tower water use | U.S. Green Building Council

Cooling Tower Evaporation Credits | WaterSignal