Case Study: California University reduces water consumption with Kurita America's blowdown reuse system

California University cuts potable water use by 13 million gallons with Kurita America

The customer, California University, faced a significant challenge in reducing its water consumption amidst severe drought conditions in Southern California. A major source of waste was the 27 million gallons of cooling tower blowdown water sent to the sewer annually from its cogeneration plant. To meet aggressive sustainability goals, the university sought a solution, and Kurita America, a long-term partner, was engaged to help implement a water reclamation strategy.

Kurita America provided a treatment system using ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis to recycle the blowdown water for reuse. They integrated a Lumyn controller to automate chemical feed, preventing damage to the RO membranes and ensuring continuous operation. This solution by Kurita America successfully reclaimed 13.7 million gallons of water in 2021, exceeding annual goals and resulting in over $125,000 in net operational savings from reduced utility costs. The project was instrumental in helping the university meet its campus-wide water reduction targets.

California University