Process Cooling In Water Treatment Facilities
July 15, 2025
In both treating and delivering clean water to the communities across South Carolina, proper mechanical system performance is more than a matter of efficiency…it’s essential to the publics health.
WBG’s Special Projects Team was recently called on to provide support for the Lake Murray Water Treatment Center, located outside Columbia, South Carolina. The challenge at hand was replacing a failing chiller that, despite being only five years old, was deteriorating rapidly due to the environmental exposure that it was subjected to.
The Problem – Corrosion
The previous chiller had been installed directly near the exhaust venting of chlorine and saltwater. A harsh combination that was the cause of premature corrosion of the unit’s structural frame, coils, and internal components. This oversight of proper placement had the water treatment process at risk.
Chillers play a mission critical role in the treatment by maintaining precise water temperatures required for the chemical mixing. Without proper cooling, water temperatures can drift outside of needed tolerances, leading to improper water treatment and potential regulatory issues with water safety regulations.
The Solution – A Chiller Built for Process Reliability
WBG’s team conducted a full system evaluation and came up with a plan for a replacement that could withstand the plant’s harsh environmental conditions while delivering reliable and consistent cooling to their process. The solution WBG moved forward with was a process-grade Atlas Copco chiller, engineered specifically for mission critical operations like water treatment, chemical processing, and industrial manufacturing.
This new unit was installed in a more suitable location, ensuring long-term performance, reduction in corrosion risk, and overall peace of mind for the employees at the water treatment plant.
Seasoned Expertise Matters
Facilities like the Lake Murray Water Treatment Center can’t afford downtime with unreliable mechanical equipment. WBG’s mechanical experts understand the unique demands of critical infrastructure , and how even small HVAC mechanical failures can have for the surrounding community.
With deep experience in serving municipal facilities, industrial plants, and various mission critical facilities across the state of South Carolina, WBG brings precision and long-term value to every project.