WATER CONSERVATION THROUGH RECYCLING REUSING AIRCRAFT WASH WATER AT SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS

With wide swings in recent weather conditions, encroachment, and increased public scrutiny, water conservation requirements have become a priority at Government facilities, particularly at U.S. Air Force (USAF) installations. Wash water at military installations is rarely reused and is instead typically passed to the sanitary sewer system either directly or through an oil/water separator. Oil/water separators are being phased out because they are commonly regulated as solid waste management units (SWMUs) due to potential and existing environmental impact. At an average USAF installation wash water is generated from motor pools, car washes, equipment maintenance shops, and aircraft wash racks. Water usage at each of these facilities can range from hundreds of gallons per day (gpd) to more than 10,000 gpd, representing significant sources of chemical usage, pollution, and water consumption. At Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB) in Wichita Falls, Texas, a water recycling system was installed at an aircraft wash rack to replace an oil/water separator which resulted in both operational and cost efficiencies.