Everybody on college campuses – students and professors alike – knows what water is. Yet very few of these individuals could answer the question, “what is water management?” Water quietly powers every aspect of campus life; from classroom comfort to student health. But as climate change, aging infrastructure, and rising costs challenge today’s universities, water is no longer something that can be taken for granted.

That’s why effective water management is essential. It goes beyond compliance and routine checks, true water management means having a holistic approach that safeguards water quality, improves efficiency, and ensures long-term reliability across systems. At the same time, students and faculty are demanding more sustainable water management practices that align with environmental values and reduce campus impact.

At EAI Water, we help higher education institutions implement proven water management and efficiency measures, improve system resilience, and support sustainable solutions that reduce risk and protect water resources for future generations. As the market leader in water management for Southern California colleges and universities, we deliver complete campus solutions—from potable water and wastewater reuse to cooling tower, boiler, and reverse osmosis system support.

Campus Water Use: Where It Goes and Why It Matters

To manage campus water resources effectively, you need to know where it goes—and why. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems account for nearly 60% of water use on a typical college campus – and can be far more impactful than water efficient fixtures. Cooling towers lose water supply through evaporation and bleed-off. Boilers need pretreated, softened water. These critical systems operate year-round, even when buildings are only partially occupied.

But HVAC isn’t the only area that demands water efficiency measures. Other high-consumption zones include:

• Residence halls – where showers, laundry, and restrooms drive significant freshwater use
• Dining facilities – where water supply is needed for food prep, dishwashing, and sanitation
• Science labs and research buildings – often requiring high-purity water or reverse osmosis
• Recreation centers and athletic facilities – pools, showers, and locker rooms
• Irrigation and landscaping systems – a key area for water conservation through efficient practices and smart controls

Each of these systems serves different purposes but shares one thing in common: the need to monitor, manage, and optimize water resources.

Poor visibility and reactive maintenance often lead to water waste, energy loss, and system failure. A comprehensive water management strategy that incorporates data, risk assessment, and proactive maintenance is essential for both sustainability and cost control.

Key Systems That Require Water Treatment

College campuses are microcosms of entire cities—each with their own complex water supply, mechanical systems, and infrastructure. But without proactive treatment, these systems face reduced lifespan, higher operating costs, and increased environmental impact.

Here’s a breakdown of the most critical campus water systems and how proper water resources management improves both performance, water availability, and sustainability:

1. Cooling Towers

Cooling towers are the backbone of campus HVAC systems, responsible for removing heat generated by chillers and mechanical equipment. But they’re also one of the largest sources of water use and evaporation losses.

Without proper treatment, cooling towers face:

• Scale buildup from minerals like calcium and magnesium
• Corrosion that damages piping and reduces system life
• Biological growth that risks both efficiency and public health

EAI Water helps universities implement custom water resources management strategies that reduce blowdown, extend cycles of concentration, and limit chemical use—saving both fresh water and energy. We also support green infrastructure practices that align with sustainability goals.

2. Boiler and Heating Systems

Campus boilers supply hot water and steam for heating, laundry, kitchens, and labs. These systems demand consistently treated feedwater to avoid internal damage from:

• Scaling on heat transfer surfaces
• Oxygen corrosion in steel components
• Deposits that reduce fuel efficiency and increase emissions

EAI Water provides boiler water system support that includes:

• Pretreatment with water softeners or reverse osmosis
• Chemical dosing to prevent scale and corrosion
• On-site testing to track water quality and system health

With effective treatment, universities reduce fuel costs, extend asset life, and avoid unplanned outages during peak heating demand.

3. Potable Water Systems

Clean, safe drinking water is a baseline requirement for any university’s water management strategy. From dorm bathrooms to drinking fountains, water must meet strict health standards—particularly when it comes to:

• Disinfection residuals (e.g., chlorine levels)
• Heavy metal limits, including lead and copper
• Microbial control, especially for Legionella

EAI supports campuses with full-service potable programs that include:

• Secondary disinfection options, such as chlorine dioxide and on-site generation
• Water quality testing and compliance reporting
• Customized plans for sanitation, plumbing integrity, and public health protection

4. On-Site Wastewater Reuse Systems

As water scarcity becomes a growing concern, more universities are investing in wastewater reuse and reclaimed water systems for non-potable applications. This includes:

• Irrigation of athletic fields and landscaping
• Makeup water for cooling towers
• Toilet flushing in high-occupancy buildings

These systems require:

• Advanced filtration technologies
• Disinfection and pH control
• Consistent monitoring and maintenance to ensure safety and performance

The Science of Campus Water Treatment

Behind every reliable water system is a blend of smart technologies, precise dosing, and proactive management practices. On a university campus, this science becomes even more critical due to the diversity of buildings, equipment, and users—all with different purposes and risk profiles.

Here’s how EAI ensures clean, safe, and sustainable water for every application:

1. Managing the Right Chemical Program

EAI Water specializes in implementing and managing water treatment programs that align with your system’s needs. We select trusted chemistries and apply them safely and efficiently across campus systems.

Typical treatments include:

• Scale inhibitors for cooling towers and boilers
• Corrosion inhibitors to protect piping and equipment
• Biocides to control microbial growth and prevent contamination
• Oxygen scavengers in steam systems to reduce metal corrosion

These chemical programs are monitored closely to maintain water quality while avoiding overuse or unnecessary water waste.

2. Pretreatment: Laying the Groundwork for Efficiency

Before water can be safely used in sensitive systems, it often needs pretreatment. This reduces the risk of fouling, scaling, and inefficiencies downstream.

Common pretreatment technologies include:

• Water softeners to remove hardness
• Reverse osmosis (RO) to provide high-purity water for labs or humidifiers
• Filtration systems to remove sediment and organic material
• Dealkalization or pH adjustment to improve system balance and protect metal surfaces

EAI’s Pretreatment products supports greater water efficiency, protects assets, and minimizes chemical demand across campus operations.

3. Real-Time Monitoring and Automation

Modern campuses rely on digital tools—not just manual logs. EAI helps universities monitor their water systems in real time using building automation systems (BAS) or standalone monitoring platforms to ensure ongoing water availability.

We provide:

• Continuous tracking of conductivity, pH, flow rates, and chemical levels
• Smart alarms for pressure drops, feed loss, or unexpected system changes
• Reporting tools for compliance and trend analysis

By embracing innovative solutions and smart tech, campuses gain more control, reduce labor, and react quickly to changing conditions—even during extreme weather events or holiday shutdowns.

4. Legionella Risk Management and Public Health Protection

With student housing, gyms, and science buildings all operating on large, distributed water systems, the risk of Legionella is real. EAI Water helps institutions stay compliant and proactive.

We offer Legionella control solutions such as:

• Water management plans in line with ASHRAE 188 and CDC guidelines
• Secondary disinfection systems, including on-site chlorine generation
• Routine water testing, flushing protocols, and documentation

These systems protect not only your infrastructure but also the health and safety of your campus community.

Why Higher Education Chooses EAI

From student housing to research labs, universities choose EAI Water because we make water management simpler, smarter, and more sustainable. We cover every system—potable water, cooling towers, boilers, and wastewater reuse—with decades of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of campus infrastructure. Our programs help schools cut costs, protect critical equipment, and meet today’s sustainability goals without the headaches.

See how EAI supports water treatment for higher education campuses with proven strategies that work across your entire system.

Ready to Rethink What is Water Management?

Let’s cut waste, boost efficiency, and build smarter systems for your campus.
Contact EAI to start building a custom university water management plan today.