Cooling Tower in Curbed Area

[agreig]

I'm looking to install a new crossflow cooling tower within an existing curbed area. This new tower will not fit within the existing curbed area (the sides with the fill where the water flows down overhang the curb by 1 ft on each side). Outside of the curbed area is grass. Of course the water is treated, so I'm not sure if there are environmental concerns with spilling treated cooling water onto the ground. At this point, I don't know what treatment chemical is used.

I'm not terribly familiar with cooling towers. Must they be installed within a curbed area? The cooling tower vendor did not seem concerned.

 

[kenvlach]

You need to know what treatment chemicals are used, and at what concentrations. Then, check whether EPA considers hazardous.

Pacific Gas & Electric used a Cr(+6) compound and made Erin Brockovich (sp?) famous.

 

[IFletcher]

Cooling towers do not need to be installed completely within an existing basin however some care in the design of the cooling tower will be required in order to direct the circulating water flow back into the basin.

 

[kenvlach]

IFletcher is correct (at least, for laws I've seen).
Two additional points:
1) You may be required to use double-walled pipe or gutters of some kind as secondary containment outside the basin to direct any leakage to the basin.
2) The volume of your basin may need to include more than just the cooling tower volume and a max. rainfall. Because of piping, it fits the definition of a 'tank system,' so you likely have to include the entire quantity of water in your system, as it is presumed to drain into the basin if the tower leaks. [at least, under Calif./EPA laws]

Again, check what treatment chemical you are using. You may be able to avoid all of this containment issue. If not, ask your local EPA or administering agency what specific secondary containment laws apply to your case; don't rely too much on outsiders' advice on legal matters.