More than 2.9 million airline passengers travel in and out of airports nationwide. There are thousands of workers within and throughout the airport. With that much traffic comes a lot of water usage, and advancements in smart technology are now helping to save water at airports.
If high-traffic facilities, like airports, made water-saving measures, fewer Americans would struggle with water insecurities. With so many without access to clean or sufficient water supplies, it's exciting to see when some of the nation's most heavily traveled airports prioritize water conservation.
Key Takeaways:
Developers completed ten projects in seven U.S. airports to increase water efficiency using the most innovative advancements in technology. Engineers, architects, and contractors designed each airport project to reduce, reuse, or recycle water by:
There are seven airports around the nation making a water-savings impact on the entire world. Let’s look at the projects that are changing airport water usage.
Airports worldwide are reclaiming water resources. At MCO, native plants and the facility's reclaimed water project are why potable water does not irrigate the landscaping around the complex.
The commercial kitchens, restrooms, and washrooms at MCO have high-tech water-saving fixtures to reduce water waste. From touchless sensor operations to metering faucets for controlling flow rates, smart technology in faucets can ensure users don't waste a single drop.
MCO also has incorporated the following water-conservations projects:
In Dallas, DFW administrators partnered with surrounding cities to develop a reclaimed water delivery system. The airport’s central utilities plant that powers its HVAC systems uses about 50% reclaimed water.
Technological designs of the rental car wash bay at SLC allow the facility to recycle most of its wash water. The water gets used for waste removal, irrigation, and landscaping.
SLC's high-efficiency system connects all irrigation systems for the landscaping to a single location for usage at the airport and surrounding infrastructures.
LAX is another airport that works with its surrounding community to recycle water in a drought-challenged part of the country. Reclaimed water from the airport's advanced reclamation system gets used for street sweeping, car washing, and construction dust control.
Engineers built an Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) at LAX that treats 1.5 million gallons of sewer water daily. The system can make one million gallons of water for use around the airport complex.
Other water-saving efforts include:
The local Hoover rock quarry is the nation's biggest geothermal cooling system lake plate. Engineers designed the system to cool the air at BNA terminals, conserving energy and water usage.
The ATL airport is part of the Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Plan. They developed a stormwater management system designed to filter water through the subsoil to limit water table reductions.
Other projects include:
In San Diego, airport officials at SAN approved the Air Conditioning Condensate Recycling Program, which collects air conditioning condensate water. The water gets recycled and used by the local power washing station responsible for cleaning runways, service vehicles, and other roadways.
Here are some of the significant advantages that came from airports making these water-saving advancements:
Public water systems (PWS) are how municipalities ensure safe water for everyone within their area. However, water is scarce. Only about three-quarters (74%) of the global population has a safely managed drinking-water source. The chart below shows you how water treatment systems work to deliver usable water to homes, businesses, and other urban and suburban infrastructures. An effective water-conservation project helps to keep more of this water available.
At Chicago Faucets, we develop durable and sustainable plumbing fixtures that are environmentally responsible and eco-friendly. We do not simply want to put out the best plumbing products for our customers.
We want to make the world a better place by conserving our precious natural resources. There is less than 0.5% fresh water available worldwide, and everyone needs to do their part to reduce water waste.
Airports across the nation (and worldwide) are doing what it takes to save water. Are you?
Is it time to upgrade to sustainable, water-saving fixtures at your facility? Help us in our efforts to design and develop healthy buildings by contacting us today to learn more.