Frequently Asked Questions
No. The design of the AWPI water reuse system is not a closed system. Our system is engineered to allow utilization of fresh water (well, municipal, or both) for evaporative make-up loses and for dilution of delivery water to maintain TDS levels below 1,000. Since 2013, we have successfully returned reuse water for processing high-end hospitality linens without any brightness or quality issues.
We have the ability to control TDS below 1,000 as the maximum allowable threshold without linen quality issues.. Depending on the source water content and use points, our primary use efficiency can be in excess of 90% for water entering into our system and returning to the process. We have developed the process to further isolate a subset of the water (non-diluted) for reuse on walk-off mats and bar mops, which provides the opportunity to return approximately 95% of the water back into the process.
Primary water is water that is returned to the hot or tempered water tanks and diluted with fresh water. This water can be used anywhere for processing linens and is monitored to maintain a TDS level of less than 1,000, or to any preset level determined appropriate for fitness of use. The non-diluted water is processed reuse water that is held in a separate tank that is used exclusively as tempered water for washing walk-off mats and bar mops. The TDS levels in this water are not diluted. Separate washers that are used to process walk-off mats and bar mops have third inlet water valves that are plumbed to the non-diluted water tank for wash cycles. The wash formulas are changed to call for the third inlet water valve for these products.
No. The design of the process is for all of the reuse water to flow to the primary (tempered and hot) and non-diluted water tanks. If the system shuts down for any reason, or the reuse water demands exceeds the supply, fresh water will fill either tanks to maintain set levels. The AWPI system sustained an up-time operational rate for system failure of 99%.
No. The system is designed to maximize the use of processed reuse water. Fresh water will be added for evaporative losses and dilution for maintenance of TDS control levels. Fresh water is plumbed into the system for use if the processed reuse water supply is insufficient or if there is an upset condition. While significantly reduced, there will be some wastewater that flows to the city for processing.
An upset condition is a situation that occurs which prevents the reuse system from providing quality water for processing. The controls package on the AWPI system is constantly monitoring multiple water quality indexes. These include: pH, TDS (conductivity) and TSS (turbidity), as well as the operation of the ozone generator, various pumps, valves, flow meters and tank levels. The controls have a series of programmable alarms that will send the system into standby mode and notify designated personnel via audible and visual alarms, as well as sending text or email messages to individuals. Alarms are also accessible via a secure internet link. Once the upset condition is cleared, the system will automatically resume normal operations.
Yes, and No. Primary reuse water can be used in the hot or tempered water supply for the plant and used on all washers. It can be utilized on the wash cycles only, or all cycles. The non-diluted reuse water can be used exclusively for walk-off mats and bar mops.
Yes. The system is designed as fail-safe. If there is an upset condition the system will automatically switch to bypass mode. When this occurs, the flow of reuse water into the treated storage tanks will cease and the tempered water tanks will be filled by fresh water.
There will be some minimal daily housekeeping responsibilities required. Primarily this will be to remove used paper off of the indexing filter, which can be accomplished in less than 30 minutes daily. The filter paper will be an added expense of approximately $.15 – $.25 per 1,000 gallons of processed water, depending on the DAF quality effluent source water.
The AWPI proposal will include all interconnection costs associated with the installation of the equipment. We will make some changes to the pump package on the existing equalization tank to allow a constant flow to your existing DAF. Analysis of how and where the plant will utilize the heated reuse water for maximum energy cost savings will need to be considered.
This reuse package is being installed under a leasing arrangement with an operating agreement. This means that AWPI will outlay all of the capital for the equipment and installation of the equipment. You will be charged for reuse water returned to your process at a reduced rate over municipal. If the system is not operating for any reason, fresh water will automatically be supplied until conditions are restored. A Minimum flow rate available will be established.
The leasing arrangement allows for AWPI and the Customer to agree on continuous process improvements. It is in AWPI’s best interest to maximize the amount of water that is returned to the Customer for processing and it is in the Customer’s best interest to eliminate the use of incoming fresh water and minimize the waste water discharge. Therefore, if new technology proves to be beneficial to both parties, improvements will be made to the system.
Please call to discuss information needed for a Preliminary Assessment to determine if AWPI’s Water reuse system would be economically feasible for your facility. If so, a follow-up Site Evaluation would be scheduled.