Cooling tower makeup water systems are notorious water wasters. To reduce water losses due to malfunctioning makeup water valves, all cooling tower makeup water systems should be inspected for proper operation at least weekly during the cooling season. Meters should be installed on makeup water lines and read weekly. Unusually high readings should be investigated for possible system malfunctions. Installation of the meters can also result in a decrease in sewer charges if the local water authority agrees that sewer charges do not apply to water supplied to cooling towers.
Boilers also are large users of water.
Like cooling towers, boiler makeup water systems should have meters installed, with readings being taken weekly for small systems, and at least daily for medium to large systems.