Cooling Tower Maintenance & Water Treatment

Most commercial towers are on a recurring service interval — commonly monthly, with higher-load or more sensitive systems checked biweekly — because water chemistry drifts as water evaporates and minerals concentrate. The right interval depends on tower size, operating load, makeup water quality, cycles of concentration, and any site or code requirements. El Paso Water Tek builds the schedule around the system rather than forcing every tower onto one interval.

Scheduled visits typically cover water testing, chemical treatment and replenishment, conductivity and blowdown checks, biological control, inspection of chemical feed equipment and controls, and a review of visible system condition. Findings and follow-up needs can be documented in written service reports.

A complete program is intended to manage scale, corrosion, biological activity, deposition, and the concentration of dissolved minerals in recirculating water. El Paso’s hard makeup water concentrates further as it evaporates, which makes scale control a central part of local tower programs.

Conductivity is commonly used as an indicator of dissolved mineral concentration. It helps operators understand cycles of concentration and manage blowdown appropriately.

Biological control is an important part of many cooling tower programs. The specific approach depends on the system, operation, site requirements, and applicable safety procedures.

Pretreatment may help manage makeup-water conditions before water enters the cooling system. Whether it is appropriate depends on water quality, operating goals, and system design.