Ochiltree General Hospital expects to save more than 490,000 gallons of water per year by replacing inefficient infrastructure.
CEO Nathan Staggs says the Texas hospital overpays $54,000 annually to utilities because of the aging infrastructure. He estimates the project will have a payback of $4,367,407 over the next 15 years.
To reduce overall water consumption, the hospital, in partnership with design-build-operate-and-maintain firm McKinstry, is installing low-flow plumbing fixtures and flow restrictors in strategic areas. The new equipment will allow the facility to reduce its water use, thus saving money.
Plumbing fixtures and piping at the hospital are estimated to be operating between 24 and 29 years past their life expectancy. The infrastructure project will provide the opportunity to make important upgrades for efficiencies and to prevent hardware breakdown in the future.
In addition to water conservation and savings, McKinstry is helping the hospital create efficiencies in lighting; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and controls; electrical systems; and a complete redesign of the hospital’s lobby.
In other efforts to improve water efficiency, Sloan this week said it has helped a New Orleans high school make its restrooms more water and energy efficient by donating plumbing products, helping the school achieve a 54 percent water reduction and an 83 percent reduction from 1.5 gpf to 0.25 gpf urinal flushometers.
