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Browse the store →How malls can achieve 10,000 µS/cm conductivity and save millions of gallons annually—while eliminating chemical discharge.
Shopping malls are among the largest commercial water consumers, with cooling towers accounting for the majority of usage. A typical regional mall can consume 5-10 million gallons annually for cooling alone—and most of that water ends up as blowdown discharged to the sewer [4].
Blowdown reduction achievable [2]
Annual gallons per mall [4]
Achievable conductivity [8]
Blowdown is the wastewater discharged from a cooling tower to control the concentration of dissolved solids [1]. By increasing cycles of concentration (CoC)—a measure of how much water is recycled before being disposed of—the need for blowdown can be drastically reduced. A higher CoC means that each drop of water is used more efficiently before it is replaced by fresh water [1].
The financial impact is substantial: for example, raising CoC from 5 to 10 in a 500,000 sq ft office building saved approximately $6,000 annually in water and sewer costs [8]. For a regional mall, savings can reach $50,000+ per year.
The primary obstacle to higher cycles is scale formation. As dissolved solids concentrate, calcium and magnesium precipitate onto heat transfer surfaces—reducing efficiency and eventually causing equipment failure. Without effective scale prevention, malls are forced to blow down water prematurely.
Cycles of concentration is the ratio of dissolved minerals in the recirculating water compared to the dissolved minerals in the fresh water make-up [4]. When water evaporates, only pure H₂O is driven off, leaving dissolved solids behind. Higher CoC means less blowdown and less makeup water.
Blowdown % = (1 / CoC) × 100
For example, raising CoC from 2 (50% blowdown) to 4 (25% blowdown) will reduce total water consumption by 25% [1].
Cycles | Blowdown % | Water Savings vs. Baseline |
|---|---|---|
3 | 33% | — |
5 | 20% | 13% reduction |
8 | 12.5% | 20.5% reduction |
10 | 10% | 23% reduction |
15 | 6.7% | 26.3% reduction |
Conductivity (measured in microsiemens per centimeter, µS/cm) directly correlates with dissolved solids. For most municipal water supplies:
Typical makeup: 300-600 µS/cm
Standard operation: 1,500-3,000 µS/cm (3-6 cycles)
Optimized operation: 5,000-8,000 µS/cm (8-15 cycles)
Advanced treatment: 10,000+ µS/cm (15+ cycles) [8]
A commercial center achieved 15 cycles of concentration (approx 7,500-9,000 µS/cm) through optimized chemical treatment and controls [8].
The savings effected by a recirculating system compared to a once-through system are maximized at about four to six cycles with traditional chemical treatment. At high cycles (e.g., eight to 10), the additional water savings generally are not commensurate with the increased difficulty of effective chemical treatment [1]. Chemical-free technologies break this barrier.
The USGBC promotes a holistic approach to cooling water management: Reduce, Replace, Reuse [1].
Lower consumption through efficient practices:
Minimize blowdown by increasing cycles
Fix leaks and overflows promptly
Install wireless monitoring systems [1]
Utilize alternative water sources:
Reclaimed municipal water
Stormwater harvesting
Groundwater under property [2]
Reuse wastewater from other processes:
RO concentrate
Deionization discharge
Condensate from air handlers [4]
Implementing these strategies not only contributes to environmental conservation but also provides significant cost savings. In some cases, the return on investment can be realized in under three years [1].
Multiple approaches can increase cycles of concentration—but they are not equal. Understanding the difference between chemical management and physical scale prevention is essential for sustainable blowdown reduction.
Chemical & Alternative Approaches
Sulfuric or ascorbic acid can improve efficiency by controlling scale buildup [4]. Requires careful management for safety and corrosion prevention.
Alternative treatment options that can reduce water and chemical usage [4].
Side-stream electrolytic treatment that removes scale and reduces blowdown up to 80% [3]. Requires electricity, periodic cleaning, and generates waste stream.
A commercial center increased cycles from 5 to 10 using solid chemicals [5]. Still requires chemical purchasing, handling, and discharge.
Continuously removes solids from makeup water [4]. Effective but capital-intensive with ongoing maintenance.
Vulcan Physical Impulse Technology
No chemicals, no acid, no salt - Zero consumables
No side-stream equipment - Installs externally on main pipe
Zero electricity for treatment - Minimal power for impulse generation
No waste stream - No blowdown disposal concerns
Zero maintenance - No cleaning, no moving parts
Preserves healthy minerals - Does not remove calcium/magnesium, just prevents bonding
How It Works:
Vulcan's impulse bands wrap around the pipe, radiating treatment 9-16 feet in both directions. The impulses break the sticky structure of scale crystals into smooth rod-shaped mono-crystals that cannot bond to surfaces [2].
All approaches can increase cycles. Only Vulcan does so with zero ongoing costs, zero chemical handling, zero maintenance, and zero discharge concerns—critical for retail properties with lean facility staff.
MALL CASE STUDY
Facility: Westfield Century City Mall
Location: Los Angeles, California
Challenge: Reduce reliance on potable water in cooling system
When Westfield Century City Mall was undergoing a redesign, planners saw an opportunity to change the way the property handled its water needs. The aim was to reduce reliance on potable water in its cooling system, and instead make use of the groundwater located under the property [2].
12.6 million gallons water saved in 2020 alone [2]
LABBC Innovation 2020 Award recognition
Reduced potable water demand through groundwater use
Achieved sustainably-minded company recognition [2]
Westfield achieved impressive savings through water source replacement—using groundwater instead of potable supply.
Imagine combining source replacement with Vulcan scale prevention:
Groundwater (typically harder) treated by Vulcan to prevent scale
Even higher cycles of concentration achievable
No chemical treatment needed for hard water
Blowdown further reduced
COMMERCIAL CASE STUDY
Facility: Del Mar Gateway
Location: California
Application: Cooling tower system
Due to the forward-looking leadership team at Unire Real Estate Group, they sought to reduce cooling tower waste while providing high quality protection for newly installed chillers [2].
70% reduction in cooling tower waste [2]
High quality protection for new chillers
Achieved through alternative water source utilization
70% blowdown reduction is impressive—but Vulcan can push it further:
Achieve 10,000+ µS/cm conductivity without scaling
Eliminate chemical treatment entirely
Protect new chiller investment permanently
Reduce waste by 90%+ in optimal conditions
COMMERCIAL CASE STUDY
Facility: Large commercial center
Location: United States
System: Five cooling towers and chillers, 1,000 tons each
A very large commercial center had been using liquid water treatment products for many years with acceptable results. However, management became increasingly focused on environmental issues and sought to improve sustainability metrics [5].
Cycles increased from 5 to 10 [5]
Significant water savings achieved
Reduced chemical usage
PLC controllers installed for automatic corrosion measurement
This case used blended solid concentrate chemicals [5].
While effective, the facility still requires:
Ongoing chemical purchases
Chemical storage and handling
Discharge compliance monitoring
PLC maintenance
Vulcan achieves the same cycles with zero chemicals.
CHEMTEX CASE STUDY
Facility: Two high-rise office buildings (500,000 sq ft each)
Location: Southeastern United States
Baseline: 8 cycles of concentration
Using computer simulation, Chemtex calculated that 15 cycles could safely be run based on local water quality [8].
15 cycles of concentration achieved [8]
Blowdown reduced by 27,857 gallons per month
$6,000 annual savings
Savings paid for significant portion of chemical treatment
This case demonstrates that 15 cycles is achievable—but it required:
Fluorescent traced inhibitor chemicals
Little Dipper probe and controller
Ongoing chemical purchases
Vulcan delivers the same 15 cycles with zero chemicals.
Condensed water collected from air handlers is a good source of high-quality makeup water because it's relatively pure and requires little additional treatment [4].
Simple, cost-effective
Stormwater can serve as a viable replacement for potable water in cooling systems [1].
Intermittent but valuable source
As demonstrated at Westfield Century City, groundwater beneath the property can supplement cooling tower makeup [2].
Often harder water—requires scale prevention
Reverse osmosis concentrate (waste stream) can be reused as makeup water in cooling systems [1].
DI system wastewater can be reused in cooling towers [1].
Many municipalities offer reclaimed water that can be used in cooling systems [1].
Alternative water sources often have higher hardness or variability. Vulcan's physical impulse technology prevents scale regardless of water chemistry—making these sources viable without chemical treatment.
Audit current water use: Measure makeup and blowdown volumes, current cycles
Test water chemistry: Hardness, alkalinity, conductivity, pH
Identify alternative sources: Groundwater, condensate, rainwater potential
Install advanced controls: Conductivity controllers to automate blowdown [4]
Implement scale prevention: Vulcan on main cooling tower makeup line
Increase setpoints gradually: Methodically raise conductivity to 8,000-10,000 µS/cm
Monitor heat transfer: Verify chiller efficiency maintained
Document savings: Track water, sewer, and chemical cost reductions
Annual Savings from Blowdown Reduction
Baseline Assumptions (8 cycles, 3,000 µS/cm) | |
Annual makeup water | 5,000,000 gallons |
Blowdown volume (25%) | 1,250,000 gallons |
Annual water + sewer cost @ $15/kgal | $75,000 |
With Vulcan (15 cycles, 9,000+ µS/cm) | |
Blowdown volume (6.7%) | 335,000 gallons |
Blowdown reduction | 915,000 gallons |
Annual water + sewer savings | $13,725 |
Chemical treatment elimination | $5,000 - $10,000 |
Maintenance labor reduction | $2,500 - $5,000 |
Total Annual Savings | $21,225 - $28,725 |
Chemical treatment programs require storage, handling, safety training, and discharge permits—costs that don't appear on the chemical invoice. Vulcan eliminates these entirely.
For precise pricing tailored to your cooling tower specifications:
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Different mall sizes require different models. Create an account for detailed specifications and pricing.
SMALL MALL / STRIP CENTER
Up to 500 tons cooling load
Individual cooling towers
Small food courts / anchor stores
Standalone retail
✓ 9-16 foot treatment zone each direction
REGIONAL MALL
500-2,000 tons / multiple towers
Central plant cooling
Multiple tower systems
District cooling loops
✓ Zero maintenance, zero consumables
SUPER-REGIONAL / DESTINATION MALL
2,000+ tons / campus-style
Multiple building complexes
Mixed-use developments
Large central utility plants
✓ Permanent scale prevention
USGBC. (2024). The three R's of cooling water conservation: Reduce, replace, reuse.
Capture H2O. (2024). Case Studies: Westfield Century City Mall, Del Mar Gateway, Westpak.
Ecomax Solutions. (2024). ECOMax-CT Electrolytic Cooling Tower Water Treatment.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. (2023). Cooling Towers: Saving Water Saves Money.
Chemtex. (2019). Case Study: Office Complex Achieves 15 Cycles of Concentration.
Building Design+Construction. (2010). Water Performance Action Plan.
What is our current cycles of concentration?
What is our current blowdown volume (gallons/month)?
Do we have access to alternative water sources (groundwater, condensate)?
What is our annual spend on cooling tower chemicals?
Have we experienced scaling-related chiller efficiency loss?
Are we tracking conductivity in real-time?
What would 10,000 µS/cm operation save us annually?
Vulcan provides the answers—and the solution.
Join leading retail properties in reducing blowdown by 70%+ while eliminating chemical treatment.
Waslix (Vulcan Mineral Descaler) provides non-chemical, maintenance-free scale prevention for commercial properties worldwide. Our physical impulse technology enables malls to achieve 10,000+ µS/cm conductivity, reduce blowdown by 70%+, and eliminate chemical treatment costs—proven in thousands of installations globally. Create an account for detailed model specifications and pricing.
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