Data entry guidance for a select set of Cooling Tower inputs for Los Angeles Water Audit and Retro-Commissioning Reports are provided below.


Onsite Management - Onsite Management is defined as having existing facilities or engineering staff onsite who are responsible for monitoring the cooling towers.

Existing Makeup Water Meter - Makeup water meter is a submeter found on the pipes bringing makeup water into the cooling tower. Typically located near the make up float.

Existing Blowdown Water Meter - Blowdown water meter is a submeter found on pipes taking blowdown water away from the cooling tower. Typically located after the bleed valve.

Chiller Tonnage - To find the tonnage look up the brand and model located on the data plate on visit their website to confirm the tonnage.

Cooling Tower Tonnage - To find the tonnage look up the brand and model located on the data plate on visit their website to confirm the tonnage.

Load - Rule of Thumb: 40% load year round average (summer 80-100%, winter <40%)

Condition of Cooling Tower -

  • Biological Fouling include unwanted biological growth such as bacteria
  • Corrosion is when metal in the system that appears to be dissolving or eaten away
  • Mechanical issues include physical damage to systems such as fan hubs
  • Mineral build up is the scaling of minerals on heat exchange surfaces

Sewer Credits Received - LA Department of Sanitation will provide sewer service charge adjustments for water evaporated in the cooling process called Evaporative Credits. Find the Commercial SSC Adjustment Form at http://bit.ly/2k4hNK

Is float valve operating correctly? - Operate the float valve or float switch manually to make sure that it opens and closes properly. If the basin is running dry you starve the pump. You will instantly hear it.

Is water overflowing into the sump? - If the basin is overflowing water will be overflowing into the sump or drain

Is backwashing sand filter done properly (not too often)? - Improper backwashing can be seen through sediment in the water, solids settling out in the basin, and pressure differential in the gauges because the water cannot flow through (inlet increases and outlet pressure drops)