AWWA ACE90028

This paper describes typical water conservation measures employed at steam electric-generating stations; a typical zero-discharge water management plan is described. The use of water in power plants is summarized; water for cooling comprises about 97 percent of all water use in both fossil-fuel and nuclear power plants. Water is also a factor in maintaining proper operating chemistry in the boiler or steam generator. Water treatment consumptive uses common to both fossil and nuclear utilities are quantified. Eight specific water conservation measures are mentioned. Zero-discharge water management is discussed in detail. Sidestream softening to reduce cooling tower blowdown is one option given for zero-discharge plans; another is the use of evaporators. Ways to handle blowdown waste streams are briefly discussed. Figures include water use diagrams of fossil-fuel and nuclear power plants, recirculating cooling systems, and a cooling water sidestream softening system, and a water balance (water audit) diagram.