Water Management Plan Revision 3 Office of Research and Development Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division Gulf Breeze Florida


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WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN, REVISION 3

Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and
Modeling, Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, Gulf Breeze, Florida

Office of Mission Support, Safety and Sustainability Division

September 2019

Overview

This plan summarizes the findings and recommendations associated with a water use and conservation
assessment conducted at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Office of Research and
Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling (CEMM), Gulf Ecosystem
Measurement and Modeling Division (hereafter referred to as the GEMMD) located in Gulf Breeze,
Florida. Under this Water Management Plan revision, the GEMMD will consider implementing the
potential water conservation opportunities identified during the water assessment, which are summarized
in Table 1. The Water Management Plan also describes the facility's water reduction goals, water use
trends, end uses of water, drought management plans and stormwater management efforts.

Background

Executive Order (EO) 13834, Efficient Federal Operations, Section 2(c) requires agencies to reduce
potable and non-potable water consumption in federal facilities and comply with stormwater management
requirements. In addition, the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 directs agencies to
complete comprehensive energy and water evaluations for 25 percent of covered facilities (i.e., those
accounting for 75 percent of total agency energy use) each year, resulting in each covered facility being
assessed once every four years.

To achieve greater facility and agency-wide water
efficiency and to meet EISA requirements, a water
assessment was conducted by the Office of
Mission Support, Safety and Sustainability
Division (SSD) at the GEMMD July 8 and 9, 2019.
Since 2002, the SSD's Sustainable and
Transportation Solutions Branch (STSB) has
conducted water assessments at EPA-owned and
operated laboratories to improve water efficiency
and comply with EISA 2007. The assessment
team (Rafael Hernandez and Praveen KC of the
STSB, and Robert Pickering of contractor Eastern
Research Group, Inc. [ERG]) conducted the water
assessment at the GEMMD to review existing
conditions and update the facility's 2014 Water
Management Plan.

Figure 1. Aerial photo of the Center for Environmental
Measurement and Modeling, GEMMD, Gulf Breeze,
Florida

1

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Table 1. Potential Water Conservation Opportunities at the GEMMD

Suggested
Priority

Project Description

Number

of
Fixtures

Initial
Project
Cost

Potential
Annual
Water
Savings
(Gallons)

Potential
Annual
Energy
Savings
(Million
Btu)

Potential
Annual
Utility
Cost
Savings1

Potential
Payback
(Years)

Notes

Low and No-Cost Maintenance Activities

Monitor water meters
and submeters on a
monthly basis and
record meter readings.

N/A

Tracking water use regularly can help establish water use
trends and identify potential leaks or malfunctions.

Evaluate and resolve
condensate
accumulating on air
handler duct in
Building 65.

N/A

Maintenance activity to ensure proper operation of
equipment.

Coordinate with
cooling tower
treatment vendor to
increase the cycles of
concentration on the
Buildings 20 and 47/49
cooling towers from
four to six.

N/A

176,000

N/A

$2,080

Immediate

None

Install 0.5 gallon per
minute (gpm) faucet
aerators on all faucets
currently flowing at 1.2
gpm or greater.

$270

28,500

$670

0.4

None

Install WaterSense
labeled showerheads
rated at 1.75 gpm or
less in shower areas
that are used regularly.

$180

3,900

$80

2.3

None.

1 Estimated water cost savings are based on the Emerald Coast Utility Authority's (ECUA's) water rate of $4.51 per thousand
gallons (Kgal) and sewer rate of $7.30 per Kgal. Estimated energy cost savings are based on an electricity rate of $0.0965 per
kilowatt-hour (kWh), estimated based on the average costs from the GEMMD's fiscal year (FY) 2019 utility bills.

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Suggested
Priority

Project Description

Number

of
Fixtures

Initial
Project
Cost

Potential
Annual
Water
Savings
(Gallons)

Potential
Annual
Energy
Savings
(Million
Btu)

Potential
Annual
Utility
Cost
Savings1

Potential
Payback
(Years)

Notes

Capital Improvements

6

Capture condensate
from two of six air
handlers in Building 65
and route to the
cooling tower.

N/A

$1,000

22,000

-0.1

$260

3.8

None.

7a

Install a system to
collect rainwater from
the Building 20 roof.
The system would
include a 10,000-
gallon aboveground
storage tank, a pump
to route the water to
the Building 20 cooling
tower, and the
necessary controls to
operate the system.

N/A

$35,000

2

325,000

-1.2

$3,6003

9.7

If the
GEMMD
moves
forward with
a project to
replace the
Building 20
cooling
tower with a
heat

exchanger
that uses
seawater for
cooling, this
project
would no
longer be re-
commended.

2	Represents rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost based on material cost estimate of approximately $12,000 from RS Means
and Rainharvest.com. Additional costs will be required for modifications to the Building 20 roof drain, as well as: design;
controls; and supervision, inspection, and overhead (SIOH). Significant contingency has been applied to account for other,
unexpected design and construction costs.

3	Takes into account annual operations and maintenance (O&M) costs related to changing sediment filters (conservatively
assumed to occur four times annually).

3

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Potential

Annual

Potential

Annual

Energy

Annual

Number

Initial

Water

Savings

Utility

Potential

Suggested

Project

Savings

(Million

Cost

Payback

Priority

Project Description

Fixtures

Cost

(Gallons)

Btu)

Savings1

(Years)

Notes

Install a system to
collect rainwater from
the Building 52 roof
(directly adjacent to
the Building 20 cooling
tower). The system
would include a 500-
gallon aboveground
storage tank, a pump
to route the water to
the Building 20 cooling
tower, and the
necessary controls to
operate the system.

N/A

$4,0004

20,000

-0.1

$3305

21.3

If the
GEMMD
moves
forward with
a project to
replace the
Building 20
cooling
tower with a
heat

exchanger
that uses
seawater for
cooling, this
project
would no
longer be re-
commended.

Replace/upgrade the
fire pump and sprinkler
system in Building 39.

N/A

Not
quant-
ified

31,500

N/A

$320

Not
quantified

This project
is not recom-
mended
solely for
water
efficiency
purposes;
however,
water and
water cost
savings can
be used as
additional
justification
for replacing
the fire
pump and
sprinkler
system in
Building 39.

4 Represents ROM cost based on material cost estimate of approximately $2,000 from RS Means and Rainharvest.com.
Additional costs will be required for design; controls; and SIOH. Significant contingency has been applied to account for other,
unexpected design and construction costs.

5 Takes into account annual O&M costs related to changing sediment filters (assumed to occur once annually).

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Suggested
Priority

Project Description

Number

of
Fixtures

Initial
Project
Cost

Potential
Annual
Water
Savings
(Gallons)

Potential
Annual
Energy
Savings
(Million
Btu)

Potential
Annual
Utility
Cost
Savings1

Potential
Payback
(Years)

Notes

Install make-up meters
on the cooling towers
serving Buildings 20
and 65.

N/A

$1,000

Although this project will not result in direct water or utility
cost savings, installing and reading meters on cooling
tower make-up lines is a best practice that could improve
cooling tower management and result in early leak
detection, therefore reducing potential water use.

Facility Information

The GEMMD is located on Sabine Island in Gulf Breeze, Florida, eight miles southeast of Pensacola,
Florida. The GEMMD campus is owned and managed by the EPA and has 34 buildings with 78,006 gross
square feet (GSF) of conditioned space. The 34 buildings include three laboratory buildings, eight office
buildings, a library, a wellness center, a shop facility, a security building, and several small storage and
utility buildings. In addition, the campus has four seawater piers, a boathouse, and a seawater delivery
system. One of the GEMMD's newest buildings, the computational and geospatial sciences building
(Building 67), received the U.S Green Building Council's (USGBC's) LEED® for New Construction Silver-
level certification in April 2009. Table 2 provides a list of major buildings located at the GEMMD.

Table 2. Major GEMMD Buildings

Building Number

Function

Year Built

Ecosystem Assessment Branch offices

1902

Shop facility

1997

Marine toxicology and chemistry laboratory

1979

Biological Effects and Population Response Branch
offices

1908

Ecosystem Dynamics and Effects Branch offices

1908

Library

1908

Security Building

2016

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) Offices

1980

47/49

Marine ecology laboratory

1986/1992

Research and administration support center and
conference center

2002

Computational and geospatial sciences building

2008

The GEMMD is occupied by approximately 115 employees; however, the facility is typically occupied by
approximately 80 percent of employees at any given time, based on telework policies and fieldwork.
The facility operates on a flex time schedule between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Water Management

The GEMMD works to achieve its resource conservation goals by implementing the EPA's Office of
Research and Development (ORD) Multi-Site Laboratory Environmental Management System (EMS). As
part of the EMS and otherwise, the ORD's collective water management goals include:

• Annually, achieve the agency ConservW targets (set annually by the STSB) as a cumulative total
of all seven ORD locations.

Identify a potential water conservation or stormwater management project that will be started by
one of the six ORD locations in FY 2020.

Water Supply, Measurement and Historical Use

The GEMMD uses water for cooling tower make-up, marine culture and toxicity testing research, sanitary
needs, fire control system testing, seawater system washdown, and miscellaneous laboratory and
research purposes. The following sections provide additional details on the facility's water use.

Water Supply

Emerald Coast Utility Authority (ECUA) provides the GEMMD's
potable water and sewer service.

The GEMMD does not use any sources of non-potable fresh
water, but it does use onsite alternative water sources. The
GEMMD collects air handler condensate from Buildings 20 and
47/49 and routes the water to those buildings' respective cooling
towers to serve as make-up water. Building 67 is equipped with
a system to collect rainwater from the building's roof and use it
for toilet and urinal flushing. The collection system is not fully
functional as currently designed, as the system regularly clogs
with debris. Instead, the GEMMD uses collected rainwater for
plant watering.

Meters and Submeters

Incoming potable water supply is metered. Flow-totalizing
meters are also installed on many of the major subsystem flows.

Table 3 provides a summary of the meters and submeters
installed at the GEMMD, the area or subsystem each meter
serves, and the meter reading collected at the time of the
assessment. All meters are owned by the GEMMD, unless
otherwise indicated.

Table 3. List of Meters and Submeters at the GEMMD, July 2019

Area/System
Served by Meter

Meter Location

Meter
Number

Utility

Account
Number

Water Source

Meter Reading from
Assessment

GEMMD campus

Below grade, at the
entrance gate prior
to going over the
causeway to the
GEMMD

N/A

#137837-
857744

City potable
water

High flow: 16,100 cubic
feet (CF)

Low Flow: 348,860 CF

Figure 2: The GEMMD has high flow
and low flow meters that totalize all
potable water supplied by the ECUA.
The meter is located below grade prior
to going over the causeway to the
GEMMD.

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Area/System
Served by Meter

Meter Location

Meter
Number

Utility
Account
Number

Water Source

Meter Reading from
Assessment

Building 47/49
cooling tower #1
make-up

North wall of
Building 49
mechanical room

2245907

N/A

City potable
water

604,800 gallons

Building 47/49
cooling tower #2
make-up

North wall of
Building 49
mechanical room

2245921

N/A

City potable
water

9,770,660 gallons

Building 47/49
recovered air
handler #1
condensate to
cooling tower make-
up

Building 49
mechanical room,
adjacent to air
handler #1

90171313

N/A

Air handler
condensate

1,675,670 gallons

Building 47/49
recovered air
handler #2
condensate to
cooling tower make-
up

Building 49
mechanical room,
adjacent to air
handler #2

90560061

N/A

Air handler
condensate

1,508,410 gallons

Building 47/49 use
from deionized (Dl)
water system

Building 49
mechanical room,
above Dl water
system

52836819

N/A

Dl water

128,780 gallons

Building 47/49 use
from DI water
system (contractor-
owned)

Building 49
mechanical room,
above Dl water
system

032094

N/A

Dl water

37,400 gallons

Building 20
recovered air
handler condensate
to cooling tower
make-up

Building 20 exterior
on north wall

94942747

N/A

Air handler
condensate

282,400 gallons

Building 20
chemistry laboratory
use from Dl water
system

Building 20
chemistry laboratory
(Room 14), above
Dl water system

032096

N/A

Dl water

2,200 gallons

Building 20 wet
laboratory use from
Dl water system

Building 20 wet
laboratory, above Dl
water system

032095

N/A

Dl water

25,900 gallons

7

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Since the GEMMDs FY 2014 water assessment,
system submeters have not been regularly monitored
nor recorded by facility management or O&M staff.
However, prior to the FY 2019 assessment, the facility
manager directed onsite staff to begin recording
meter readings for various submetered systems.
Regular monitoring of meters can ensure irregular
use, leaks or other malfunctions can be quickly
identified. Under this Water Management Plan,
facilities management and O&M staff should continue
to record readings from all submeters at least monthly
and report values to the facilities manager, so that
water use trends can be monitored on an ongoing
basis. Any unexpected changes in water use should
be investigated and resolved immediately.

Historical Water Use

Figure 3: Submeters, like those installed to monitor
cooling tower make up water at Building 47/49,
should be monitored to identify use trends.

In response to various executive orders and laws
addressing federal sustainability, the GEMMD established an FY 2007 water use intensity baseline of
85.87 gallons per gross square foot (gsf) based on 6,822,061 gallons of water used that fiscal year. In
FY 2018, water use intensity had decreased to 54.36 gallons per gsf, or 4,240,464 gallons of water—a
decrease of 37 percent compared to the FY 2007 baseline. The GEMMD further reduced water use over
the most recent 12-month period for which water use data was available during the water assessment
(April 2018 through March 2019) to 46.57 gallons per square foot based on 3,633,049 gallons of water
used—a decrease of 46 percent compared to the FY 2007. This reduction could have been influenced
by the federal government shutdown that occurred throughout most of January 2019, as well as
renovations to the Building 47/49 mechanical equipment, resulting in the cooling towers and many
laboratory operations being down for a number of months. Figure 4 provides a graph of the GEMMD's
water use from FY 2007 through FY 2018.6

6 In FY 2010, the GEMMD experienced a water leak caused by a contractor working on a city construction site adjacent to the
property line, causing an increase in the facility's reportable water consumption.

8

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Annual Potable Water Use Intensity, GEMMD

120.00

100.00

c
o

re 80.00
a>

'w 60.00

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Table 4. Major Potable Water Uses at the GEMMD, April 2018 Through March 2019

Major Process

Annual Water
Use (gallons)

Total Water
Use
(percent)

Basis of Estimate

Potable Water Use

Cooling tower make-up
(potable water)

2,056,230

56.6

Engineering estimate based on metered water use
from the two cooling towers at Building 47/49. The
water use from these cooling towers was extrapolated
to the cooling towers at Buildings 20 and 65 using the
tonnage ratios.

Wet lab (marine culture and
marine toxicology testing
water)

1,230,000

33.9

Engineering estimate based on discussions with the
Wet Lab Coordinator and onsite plumber. Seawater
system controls the freshwater tank such that it refills
when water level reaches 65 percent capacity, up to
90 percent capacity. The tank capacity is 9,000
gallons. Assumes 1.5 freshwater tank fills per day.

Restroom fixtures

167,000

4.6

Engineering estimate based on fixtures installed,
occupancy, and daily usage factors.

Research and other
miscellaneous water uses

84,019

2.3

Calculated by difference from known total water use
and all other calculated water uses.

Fire control system testing

49,000

1.3

Engineering estimate based on annual fire hydrant
testing, annual fire booster pump testing, and annual
sprinkler system testing.

Seawater system washdown

46,800

1.3

Engineering estimate based on a 1.5-inch fire hose
using 45 gpm, 20 minutes per week, 52 weeks per
year.

Total Potable Water Use

3,633,049

100

Metered total.

Onsite Alternative Water Use

Recovered air handler
condensate (used as cooling
tower make-up)

456,272

Estimate based on metered total air handler
condensate collected from April 2014 to July 2019
from the Building 47/49 air handling units and from
July 2014 to July 2019 from the Building 20 air
handling units. This amount was extrapolated to
determine an estimate for 12 months.

Total Water Use

4,089,321

Sum of metered totals.

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Research and

other
miscellaneous
water uses
2.3%

Restroom fixtures
4.6%

Fire control
system testing
1.3%

Seawater system
washdown
1.3%

Figure 5: The GEMMD's Water End Uses, April 2018 Through March 2019

Cooling Towers

The largest end use of water at the GEMMD is the
cooling tower system, which accounts for
approximately 57 percent of its total potable water
use annually. The GEMMD is equipped with four
cooling towers, listed in Table 5, with a total
cooling capacity of 510 tons. A cooling tower
maintenance contractor performs a monthly
quality, performance, and water chemistry review
of each cooling tower operation. Chemical
treatment is provided to control scale and
corrosion. Treatment chemical addition rates are

Figure 6: Two 100 ton cooling towers provide space
and equipment cooling for Building 47/49.

controlled to be proportional to the quantity of
water blown down. Incoming potable water has a
conductivity of approximately 200 microSiemens
per centimeter (uS/cm). Conductivity meters for
the Building 20 and Building 47/49 cooling towers are set to maintain the towers between 800 and 1000
uS/cm, which provides approximately four cycles of concentration. The Building 65 cooling tower is
maintained between 400 and 500 uS/cm, achieving approximately two cycles of concentration. As part
of this Water Management Plan, the GEMMD should coordinate with its cooling tower treatment vendor
to assess opportunities to increase cycles of concentration, while still protecting the towers against scale
and corrosion. If possible, the GEMMD should target improving the cycles of concentration to six cycles.

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The cooling towers for Building 47/49 were rebuilt in 2019 as part
of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) upgrades that
occurred throughout the building. New cooling tower fill material
and high-efficiency drift eliminators were installed. These
improvements, along with other HVAC upgrades, are anticipated to
significantly reduce the building's energy use, and could also have
an impact on reducing the water use of the cooling towers.

Two of the four cooling towers are equipped with make-up water
meters. Under this plan, the GEMMD should consider installing
make-up water meters on the cooling towers at Building 20 and
Building 65. The GEMMD should also monitor and record cooling
tower make-up meter readings at least monthly. The O&M
contractor and facilities manager should evaluate water use trends
in the cooling towers and should investigate unexpected trends to
resolve issues identified as soon as possible.

Table 5. GEMMD Cooling Towers

Tower Location

Rating (tons)

Makeup Water
Meter

Air Handler Condensate
Used for Make-Up Water

Building 20

250

Yes

Building 47/49 #1

100

Yes

Building 47/49 #2

100

Yes

Building 65

The GEMMD collects condensate from air
handling units in Building 20 and Building 49 and
routes it to the Building 20 and Building 47/49
cooling towers, respectively, as make-up water.
The collected condensate is metered. The
GEMMD should also monitor and record
recovered air handler condensate meter readings
monthly. The GEMMD collects approximately
450,000 gallons of air handler condensate
annually and uses it as cooling tower make-up
water, reducing the GED's need for potable make-
up water by approximately 18 percent.

Figure 7: A 250 ton cooling tower
serves Building 20.

Figure 8: Condensate from air handlers in Building 20
and Building 47/49 (pictured here) is directed to
cooling towers as make up water.

The GEMMD is currently in the process of
assessing a project to collect air handier
condensate from the air handling units in Building
65 to use as make-up water for the building's
cooling tower. Collection is feasible for two of the six air handling units. As part of this Water Management
Plan, the GEMMD should consider implementing an air handler condensate recovery system in the
future.

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For another opportunity to reduce potable water
used in the cooling towers, the GEMMD could
pursue rainwater collection from Building 20 or
Building 52. The collected rainwater could serve as
make-up water for the Building 20 cooling tower.

Rainwater from the Building 20 roof, which has a
collection area of approximately 10,000 square
feet, currently collects in roof drains. The flows
from the roof drains combine into a large PVC
storm pipe before exiting the building and
discharging into the bay. Providing storage for a
1.5" storm event would require a 10,000-gallon
storage tank and associated pumps and controls.

If the GEMMD is interested in this project, it would
need to identify the best location for the storage
tank, considering the current configuration of the
storm pipe, the seawater system, and other
infrastructure surrounding Building 20. Such as
system could save approximately 325,000 gallons of water per year, with a payback estimated to be
approximately 8 years. Alternatively, rainwater could be collected from Building 52, which currently
houses the Building 20 chillers and is directly adjacent to the Building 20 cooling tower. The collection
area is approximately 600 square feet, and a 1.5" storm event would require a 500-gallon storage tank.
Because it would be a smaller system, the project would have a lower initial cost; however, because not
as much rainwater would be collected (approximately 20,000 gallons annually), the payback is estimated
to be longer at approximately 21 years.

Wet Lab (Marine Culture and Marine Toxicology Testing Water)

The GEMMD conducts marine life toxicity testing and associated marine life culturing activity. Testing is
conducted across a range of salinities. Seawater is obtained from Pensacola Bay, with approximately 30
parts per thousand (ppt) salinity. The seawater is blended with potable water at approximately 0 ppt to
achieve a mixed water with approximately 18 to 22 ppt salinity for experimental purposes.

Potable water is stored in a 9,000-gallon freshwater tank prior to blending with seawater. The seawater
system controls allow the water level of the freshwater tank to lower to 65 percent capacity before it refills
the tank to 90 percent capacity. The Wet Lab Coordinator estimates that one to two freshwater tank fills
occur daily. However, potable water use for this purpose is governed by experimental requirements.

Restroom Fixtures

Sanitary fixtures compliant with the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct 1992) of 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf)
or less for toilets and 1.0 gpf or less for urinals] have been installed in the majority of the GEMMD's
restrooms. Older style toilets (estimated 3.5 gpf), installed prior to 1992, are still in use in a few of the
GEMMD's restrooms. In total, 34 of 36 toilets and all six urinals are EPAct 1992-compliant. While the
GEMMD's urinal fixtures are rated at 1.0 gpf, 0.5 gpf rated flush valve inserts are installed by O&M staff
as a water efficiency measure.

GEMMD facility management indicated that, within the last year, three major cleanouts were required to
clear clogged sewer lines on the west side of the campus (associated with Buildings 1, 7, and 20). Due
to aging sewer lines and low slope on the west side of the campus, the plumbing contractors have

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suggested the primary cause of the recurring clogs is likely use of high-efficiency toilets. Their
recommendation is those toilets be restored to the 3.5 gpf models until funds are available for relining or
replacement of the aging and narrowed sewer lines. Three toilets (one in Building 7 and two in Building
20) were restored with the higher flow models until the improvements can be made to the sewer lines.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
have established a standard for lavatory faucets in public use (essentially all applications except domestic
residences) that specifies a maximum flow rate of 0.5 gallons per minute (gpm). This flow rate is sufficient
for hand washing and is considered a best practice for lavatory sinks in public settings. Lavatory faucets
that meet this standard have been installed only in Buildings 44, 45, and 67 (seven of the GEMMD's 34
lavatory sinks). The remaining 27 faucets flow between 1.2 gpm and 2.5 gpm or have an entirely
unaerated flow.

EPAct 1992-compliant showerheads, which flow at 2.5 gpm, are installed in all 10 shower stalls located
at the GEMMD. Table 6 provides a complete inventory of sanitary fixtures.

Water system pressure is maintained between 20 to 80 pounds per square inch, which is necessary for
adequate restroom fixture performance. Janitorial staff and employees are trained to report leaks or other
maintenance problems to the Facilities Manager or O&M staff. Leaks or other problems are immediately
corrected.

Building 67 is equipped with a system to collect rainwater from the building's roof and use it for toilet and
urinal flushing. The collection system is not fully functional as currently designed, as the system regularly
clogs with debris. Based on an assessment of potential water and cost savings from an operational
system, it does not appear to be cost effective to retrofit or redesign the system at this time. Water from
the system is instead periodically used for plant watering.

Table 6. Restroom Fixtures Inventory, GEMMD

Fixture Type

Flow Rate/Flush Volume

Total Number

Toilets

3.5 gpf

1.6 gpf

Dual flush (1.6/1.1 gpf)

1.28 gpf

Urinals

1.0 gpf (fixture rating)
0.5 gpf (flush valve insert)

Lavatory faucets

2.5 gpm or unaerated

2.2 gpm

2.0 gpm

1.8 gpm

1.5 gpm

1.2 gpm

0.5 gpm

0.4 gpm

Showerheads

2.5 gpm

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Until existing sewer conditions are evaluated and possibly replaced, the GEMMD does not intend to
pursue additional toilet and urinal replacements.

To further reduce restroom water use, the GEMMD should also consider installing 0.5 gpm faucet
aerators on all lavatory faucets flowing at 1.5 gpm or higher. This project is very cost effective and will
pay for itself in a matter of months. The GEMMD should also consider replacing existing showerheads
that get the most use (e.g., showerheads in the Wellness Center/Dive Locker) with WaterSense labeled
models flowing at 1.75 gpm or less.

Fire Hydrant arid Control System Testing

The GEMMD uses approximately 49,000 gallons of water annually for periodic fire control system testing
and flushing. Fire hydrant testing is conducted on six fire hydrants at the GEMMD once per year. The fire
booster pumps and other fire sprinkler systems are also tested and flushed annually.

During the assessment, a small, continuous water discharge was observed from the Building 39 fire pump
system. O&M staff noted that fire pump does regularly discharge water to keep the pump packing clean
of debris, but that it is not typically continuous and that they were in the process of replacing the pump
packing to eliminate the continuous flow of water. The assessment team confirmed that the flow was not
continuous on a similar fire pump system installed at Building 1. A field measurement of the flow from the
Building 39 fire pump quantified the continuous flow at 0.06 gpm. Over a full year, this continuous flow
could consume approximately 31,500 gallons of water. Because it was unknown when the continuous
flow began occurring, and because O&M staff intended to fix the pump to eliminate the flow, the quantity
of water was not included in the water use for the GEMMD, summarized in Table 4. [Note: As of
publication of this report, the Building 39 fire pump leak has been repaired.]

Seawater System Washdown

On a weekly basis, the seawater system that provides testing water for marine culture and toxicology
research is washed down. The exterior surfaces are washed to remove any dust, debris, or salt build-up
that has accumulated over the past week. Washdown occurs for
approximately 20 minutes per week.

Research and Other Miscellaneous Water Uses

Approximately 2 percent of the GEMMD's potable water is used for
miscellaneous research purposes not otherwise captured
throughout this water management plan. The GEMMD does
considerable research on aquatic life.

The GEMMD briefly used a reverse osmosis (RO) system to
generate laboratory-grade water. However, the laboratory staff
concluded that Dl water generated by ion exchange is more
suitable. The GEMMD has three Dl systems, one in Building 47/49
and two in Building 20.

Water is also used as necessary in individual laboratories for
bench-scale experimentation and glassware preparation. There
are three glassware washers at the GEMMD, one in Building 47/49
and two in Building 20.

Figure 10. Dl use in Buildings 20
and 47/49 is monitored using flow
totalizing meters.

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The GEMMD operates two steam sterilizers, listed in Table 7. For one sterilizer, tempering water is only
applied when condensate is being discharged to the drain. According to O&M staff, tempering water flows
whenever the Amsco 3021 sterilizer is turned on. However, laboratory staff know to turn off the sterilizer
at the completion of a sterilization cycle. Security personnel also monitor the equipment and turn it off,
as needed, after hours.

Both sterilizers are managed so that they sterilize loads at 75 percent capacity or greater.

Table 7. GEMMD Steam Sterilizers

Room

Model

Continuous Tempering Water Flow?

Building 47/49, Room 8

Getinge

No - Only when needed.

Building 47/49, Room 11

Amsco 3021

Yes - Although equipment is managed
to ensure water is not used when
equipment is not actively sterilizing.

The GEMMD uses a washing machine to wash laboratory coats and clothes from field activities. The
machine, an Estate by Whirlpool Model ETW41000SQ0, has a capacity of 2.5 cubic feet. It is not
ENERGY STAR certified. The clothes washer is used approximately once per month; therefore, water
use is anticipated to be minimal. At the end of its useful life, the GEMMD should replace the clothes
washer with an ENERGY STAR certified model.

The GEMMD previously had a water-cooled ice machine in Building 47/49; however, this unit was
replaced with an air-cooled model (Scotsman Model F0522A-1A) shortly after the 2014 assessment. The
GEMMD has no remaining equipment that uses single-pass cooling.

Lastly, the GEMMD owns and operates several boats used for research purposes. Boats and motors are
rinsed with a hose on an as-needed basis (approximately once per week for approximately 5 to 10
minutes).

Completed Water Efficiency Projects

As described in Table 8, the GEMMD has completed three projects to improve water efficiency and water
management since FY 2007.

Table 8. Completed Water Efficiency Projects at the GEMMD Since FY 2007

Project

Estimated Annual
Water Savings
(Gallons)

Completion
Year

Additional Notes

Urinal flush valve
inserts

18,000

FY 2016

The GEMMD replaced flush valve inserts for six
urinals flushing at 1.0 gpf with inserts rated at 0.5

gpf-

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Project

Estimated Annual
Water Savings
(Gallons)

Completion
Year

Additional Notes

Air handler
condensate
recovery

56,000

FY 2014

The GEMMD captures condensate from two of the
three Building 20 air handlers and routes it to the
Building 20 cooling tower as make-up water,
reducing the amount of potable make-up water
needed.

Eliminating
water-cooled ice
machine

19,000

FY 2014

The GEMMD replaced its last remaining water-
cooled ice machine with an air-cooled model.

Air handler
condensate
recovery

400,000

FY 2011

The GEMMD captures condensate from the Building
49 air handlers and routes it to the Building 47/49
cooling towers as make-up water, reducing the
amount of potable make-up water needed.

Eliminating
cooling tower

1,040,000

FY 2011

The GEMMD consolidated its operations and
research from Building 45 into other laboratories,
resulting in the elimination of water use by the
Building 45 cooling tower.

Drought Contingency Plan

Drought Risk

The GEMMD is located in an area that periodically experiences drought, most recently in 2018 and 2012.
Water is supplied by ECUA, which obtains water from the Sand-and-Gravel Aquifer.

In the event of a drought or other water supply shortage, the GEMMD will follow the water use
recommendations and restrictions from the Northwest Florida Water Management District issued on its
website at: https://www.nwfwater.com/.

The District will issue a water shortage order when appropriate and will issue associated orders
depending on the level of water shortage. The ECUA can also post recommendations and restrictions
separate from Northwest Florida Water Management District if it deems necessary.

In the event that voluntary or mandatory water use restrictions are instituted by Northwest Florida Water
Management District or ECUA, the facilities manager and lab director will jointly identify and implement
modifications to facility operations to achieve the specified reductions in water use.

Recent Contributions to Drought Contingency

In FY 2018, the GEMMD had reduced its water use intensity by 37 percent compare to the baseline set
in FY 2007. The GEMMD should monitor water meters and submeters to understand use patterns.
Further, the GEMMD plans to pursue projects to reduce facility water use in accordance with this Water
Management Plan.

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Potential Capital Improvement Projects to Reduce Water Use

Potential capital improvement projects are identified in Table 1. These projects represent the GEMMD's
plans to reduce facility water use, particularly if the facility is faced with water supply limitations or
undergoes a major renovation. If necessary, many of the no- and low-cost projects could be implemented
relatively quickly. If fully implemented, the projects in Table 1 are estimated to reduce facility water use
by approximately 14 percent.

Opportunities for Short-Term Response to Local Drought

In the event of a drought or other water supply shortage, the GEMMD will follow any water use
recommendations and restrictions from the Northwest Florida Water Management District or the ECUA.

Because the majority of the laboratory's water usage is for sanitary, research and laboratory functions
that are critical to the GEMMD's mission, there is not much opportunity for short-term response to local
drought. However, the GEMMD may be able to reduce the frequency of some water-using activities, such
as seawater system washdown and boat washing.

Considerations for New Construction

If the EPA decides to pursue further expansion of the GEMMD through new construction or major
renovations, the design choices listed below should be considered to reduce water use intensity and
exhibit water efficiency.

1) Install restroom fixtures with flush volumes or flush rates at or below the maximum flush
volume/flow rate and performance requirements provided in Table 9.

Table 9. Requirements for Restroom Fixtures in New Construction/Major Renovation

Fixture Type

Maximum Flush
Volume/Flow Rate

Performance Requirement

Toilets

1.28 gpf

WaterSense labeled

Urinals

0.125 gpf

WaterSense labeled

Lavatory faucets

0.5 gpm

None

Kitchen faucets

1.8 gpm

None

Showerheads

1.75 gpm

WaterSense labeled

2) Incorporate air handler condensate collection and/or rainwater collection into the initial design for
use as cooling tower make-up, toilet and urinal flushing, or other non-potable water end uses.

3) If applicable, carefully size laboratory systems, such as the RO system and vacuum system.
Consider more efficient, point-of-use models, where feasible.

Stormwater Management

Stormwater from the GEMMD infiltrates the landscape of Sabine Island. Stormwater runoff that does not
have an opportunity to permeate the landscape flows into English Navy Cove, part of the Pensacola Bay.

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Onsite Green Infrastructure

The GEMMD does not currently have any onsite green
infrastructure.

For more information about STSB
services:

Rafael Hernandez

hernandez.rafael@epa.gov
202.564.2827

Praveen KC

kc.praveen@epa.gov
202.564.5044

Visit us on the web at:

www.epa.gov/areeninaepa

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