About The Holland BPW Snow Melt System
The snow melt system was installed and has been in use since 1988. All the water that is used to keep the sidewalks and downtown streets snow free comes from the Holland BPW power plant, where they burn coal to heat water up to turn the steam turbines. The steam, better known as waste heat, that comes from the turbines is over 1,000°F and to cool this extreme heat, the power plant uses water from Lake Macatawa to cool the steam down to 90°F. Once the steam is mixed with the water from Lake Macatawa, the water is circulated through miles of tubing laid underneath the pavement and sidewalks, back to the Holland BPW power plant. This is a very efficient process because the use of the waste heat and water from Lake Macatawa means that there isn't a need for placing salt on the downtown sidewalks and roads, plowing isn't needed, the sidewalks and roads are not slippery, and it reduces the amount of snow that is tracked into local businesses during the winter months.
Something To Bring Home
Water is a valuable resources, which we sometimes take for granted. Because water is valuable, here is an example method that can be used to collect and/or reuse water at your workplace or home. Rain barrels or cisterns can be a great way to collect rainwater for irrigation and other outdoor water uses. By simply diverting your downspout into a covered barrel is an easy, low-cost approach.
A more costly method is reusing household wastewater from bathroom sinks, showers, bathtubs, and clothes washers, or "greywater," can be reused for landscape irrigation. "Greywater" reuse systems divert used water to a storage tank for later outdoor watering use.
A more costly method is reusing household wastewater from bathroom sinks, showers, bathtubs, and clothes washers, or "greywater," can be reused for landscape irrigation. "Greywater" reuse systems divert used water to a storage tank for later outdoor watering use.
Key Take-AwayThis site recycles water to keep the streets clean.
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