Water Treatment Impact on Cooling Tower Performance
Cooling towers are critical assets for commercial and industrial operations across Arkansas. From manufacturing plants to hospitals to data centers, these systems work around the clock, meaning even minor issues can quickly escalate into costly downtime.
And while many facilities prioritize mechanical maintenance, water treatment is often the hidden factor that determines whether a cooling tower operates efficiently… or fails early. In Arkansas, where heat, humidity, and fluctuating water quality can strain systems, proper water treatment isn’t optional. It’s essential.
In this guide, we break down why water treatment matters, the risks of skipping it, and the strategies that keep your cooling tower reliable, efficient, and compliant.
1. Water Treatment Directly Impacts Cooling Tower Performance
Cooling towers rely on the continuous evaporation of water. This process naturally concentrates minerals, contaminants, and biological growth. Without proper treatment, these factors compromise heat transfer efficiency, operational stability, equipment lifespan, and energy consumption.
Simply put: water quality determines system quality. Facilities that maintain consistent water treatment experience smoother operation, fewer repairs, and lower long-term costs.
2. Untreated Water Leads to Scaling, Corrosion, and Fouling
Arkansas water sources often contain high levels of minerals, especially calcium, magnesium, and silica. When heated, these minerals quickly form scale, a significant threat to heat transfer efficiency. This also indicates that your cooling tower requires maintenance!
3 Major Risks of Poor Water Treatment
Without proper water treatment, these issues don’t just appear; they accumulate rapidly:
1. Scaling
Mineral buildup can reduce heat transfer efficiency by up to 40%, leading to higher energy consumption and operating costs. It also causes overheating and additional stress on components.
2. Corrosion
Corrosion happens when dissolved oxygen, pH imbalance, or chemicals attack the metal, damaging blowdown lines, basins, fill media, and piping. This can cause leaks, system shutdowns, and costly replacements.
3. Microbial Fouling & Algae Growth
Arkansas’ warm climate speeds up bacterial growth. Slime layers lower system efficiency. Biofilms can insulate better than scale. This raises the Legionella risk, making compliance crucial.
Photo by HSSR
3. Proper Water Treatment Extends Equipment Lifespan
Cooling towers are a long-term investment. Protecting that investment means maintaining balanced water chemistry. With the right plan in place, facilities can:
Extend equipment life by 10–15 years.
Reduce unexpected breakdowns.
Prevent premature structural failure.
Lower repair and parts replacement costs.
Treatment becomes especially critical for industrial operations in Arkansas, where cooling towers often operate at higher loads for longer durations.
4. Water Treatment Improves Energy Efficiency
When scaling or biological growth is present, a cooling tower must work harder to achieve the same cooling output. This affects energy consumption, compressor load, pump strain, and overall operating cost.
Just 0.01 inches of scale can increase energy use by up to 10%. Proper water treatment helps systems run at peak efficiency, something every Arkansas facility can benefit from, especially during summer peaks.
5. Safety Depends on Clean Water
Cooling towers can become a source of Legionella bacteria if the water isn't properly treated. This can eventually lead to Legionnaires' disease or Pontiac fever, which pose serious health risks for people.
As noted by the CDC in its Cooling Tower Water Management Program Toolkit, effective water management, including chemical treatment and monitoring, is one of the primary defenses against Legionella in cooling systems.
A proper water treatment plan reduces risk, safeguards occupants and staff, and helps your facility stay compliant with industry standards.
Photo by HSSR
Why Water Treatment Matters Even More in Arkansas
Arkansas presents unique challenges for cooling towers:
High summer temperatures accelerate evaporation.
Elevated humidity increases biological growth.
Variable water quality across cities affects mineral concentration.
Long operating hours increase system strain.
Facilities that rely heavily on cooling towers, manufacturing, healthcare, data centers, and food processing benefit most from consistent water treatment, as it significantly impacts performance and safety.
How HSSR Supports Arkansas Facilities
HSSR provides full-service support for water-cooled HVAC systems across Arkansas, including:
Customized water treatment plans
Cooling tower maintenance and diagnostics
Cooling tower repairs, installation, and parts replacement
Efficiency optimization
Emergency service when systems fail
Our team understands Arkansas’ climate and operational demands, helping industrial and commercial clients maintain stable, efficient, and compliant cooling tower systems.
Conclusion
Proper water treatment is one of the most critical factors in cooling tower performance. It protects your investment, reduces costs, improves efficiency, and ensures safe, reliable operation.
Whether you're managing a small commercial building or a large industrial facility, a proactive approach to water quality pays off in both time and money.
Need help improving your cooling tower performance in Arkansas? HSSR offers tailored water treatment solutions and expert support throughout the state. Get a free quote today.
