To reduce water usage and high costs, the GBI collaborated with McKenney’s to implement a more feasible, affordable and sustainable solution.

2. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation
(GBI) headquarters in Decatur had
been coping with high nonpotable
water usage and costs to support
systems fed by the county water
supply.
In fact, the GBI consumed 1,000,000 gallons during a typical hot August.
Hoping to reduce its water usage and its high costs, the GBI collaborated
with McKenney’s to implement a more feasible, affordable and
sustainable solution.

3. After several years of monitoring water usage
and carefully analyzing the data, the GBI staff
determined that they consumed an average
of 370,000 gallons of water a month—costing
$34,400 annually.
From this information, they also developed a
baseline meter reading for the winter months
of just over 140,000 gallons per month.
The source of the additional 230,000 gallons
per month on average was then pinpointed —
the cooling tower make-up water and
irrigation systems.

4. To lessen county water usage, the GBI staff developed an innovative
alternative water capture system and enlisted McKenney’s
engineering expertise and capabilities to implement the system.
It consisted of two cisterns with 10,000-gallon total storage capacity
and an on-site well that pumps water to the cisterns.
In addition, the system also tapped into condensate water from air
handlers in the GBI’s Annex building and diverted rainwater from the
building’s roof to the cisterns.

5. McKenney’s also installed a pump, control
valves and Piping to the cisterns to distribute
the stored water to the cooling tower make-up
and irrigation systems.
With its new non-potable water supply
system operating successfully, the GBI
expects to achieve $20,000 in cost savings
annually, which allows the system to pay for
itself in just four years.
The content of this document is not intended as an endorsement.

6. With such significant results—not only in cost savings but also
reduced environmental impact—the project earned a 2013
Innovation Award from the Georgia Association of State Facilities
Administrators (GASFA).
It also paves the way for other state
agencies with a high demand for
non-potable water to enlist a similar
solution to lower water use and costs,
provided it has the infrastructure to
support an on-site well and water
storage system.

7. Project Team
Owner: Georgia Bureau of Investigation and CBRE, Inc.
Engineer: McKenney’s, Inc.
The Challenge
Calculate water usage and costs history
Pinpoint source of excesses
Devise supplemental water supply solution
The Solution
Dig an on-site well and install storage cisterns
Capture condensate and rainwater for cisterns
Pipe water from cisterns to cooling tower and irrigation systems
The Results
Cost savings of $20,000 annually
Project earned 2013 GASFA Innovation Award
System payback of four years

8. Atlanta Office: 1056 Moreland Industrial Boulevard
Atlanta, Georgia 30316
P: 404-622-5000
Charlotte Office: 3601 Performance Road
Charlotte, North Carolina 28214
P: 704-357-1200
sales@mckenneys.com
www.mckenneys.com