Description:

What Is This Measure?

Standard approaches to calcite mitigation rely on chemicals, which must be replenished frequently, or ultra-fine-membrane filtering, which uses large amounts of water and energy. Researchers assessing catalyst-based non-chemical water treatment (NCWT) at the Frank E. Moss Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City, Utah, found that the technology dramatically reduced calcite buildup and had immediate payback when compared to a chemical (salt-based) system. The harder the water, the more likely non-chemical scale prevention will be cost-effective.

Special Considerations

• Initially, calcite buildup and overheating continued because the device was sized based on design flow rather than measured water flow. A flow test using ultrasonic meters should be used to determine appropriate device sizing.
• The technology was certified by the National Sanitation Foundation in 2013. Currently, there are approximately ten thousand U.S. installations.
• Remote locations, where access to power, chemicals, and labor makes conventional water softening impractical and expensive, may benefit particularly from this technology.

See GSA’s Green Proving Ground for more details on the field demonstration findings.