Industry: Hotels & Hospitality
Location: UK
Case Study
Overview
Water quality management is a key challenge in the hospitality industry, particularly in older properties. A 90-year-old 5-star hotel in Belgium, struggling with severe scaling, corrosion, and biofilm issues, implemented Sidon Water’s Integro™ technology. The chemical-free solution resolved long-standing water system inefficiencies, reduced costs, and enhanced sustainability.
The hotel faced critical water system issues caused by the hardness of its incoming water (256 ppm/25.6 French Degrees). Years of insufficient treatment led to heavy limescale build-up, energy inefficiencies, equipment breakdowns, and health risks due to elevated legionella levels. Traditional solutions, including water softeners and chemical descaling, offered only temporary relief.
To address these challenges, three Integro™ units were installed on the main water supply and hot water recirculation systems. The system delivered significant improvements, including energy savings, improved water efficiency, and reduced maintenance.
Key Issues
Among the hard water problems identified were:
- Hard Water Scaling:
- Significant limescale build-up in heat exchangers reduced system efficiency.
- Periodic chemical descaling was costly and offered short-term relief.
- Pressure Drops:
- Scale accumulation caused blockages and pressure loss in hot and cold water systems.
- High Energy Consumption:
- Inefficient hot water production increased annual energy costs.
- Legionella Risk:
- Elevated bacteria levels posed health risks due to biofilm in limescale deposits.
- Maintenance Challenges:
- Frequent equipment failures and high maintenance costs impacted operations.
Our Solution
Sidon Water installed three Integro™ units to prevent scale formation and gradually remove existing deposits without chemicals.
- Primary Unit: Main cold water supply.
- Secondary Units: Hot water recirculation systems.
During the initial months, minor leaks and debris from broken-down limescale were addressed through routine maintenance. Temporary legionella spikes observed as biofilm was released alongside scale deposits were managed with regular flushing.
Environmental & Other Benefits
- Energy Savings: 12% reduction in energy consumption, saving €8,000 annually.
- Water Softener Elimination: Water softeners were switched off, saving €9,600 per year in salt and maintenance.
- Improved Legionella Control: Legionella levels remained within acceptable limits for over 12 months, saving €5,000 annually on chemical treatments.
- Reduced Maintenance: Scale reduction extended equipment life and decreased breakdowns.
- Improved Housekeeping: Easier cleaning of bathrooms due to less hard scale formation.
- Environmental Impact: Reduced energy usage, chemical treatments, and carbon footprint.
Summary & Results
Savings and ROI
The solution was quick to implement and install and led to a prompt return on investment:
- Total Annual Savings: €22,600.
- Return on Investment: Achieved within 15 months.
Conclusion
The installation of the Integro™ technology transformed the hotel’s water system, solving hard water and biofilm issues while delivering measurable cost and environmental benefits. Encouraged by the results, the hotel plans to implement the technology across additional sites.
Contact Details
- 11777 Bernardo Plaza Ct, Suite 208, San Diego, CA, 92128
- 858-324-2700
- info@sidonwater.com
