As the summer holiday season approaches, airports across the UK are preparing for another surge in passenger numbers. From crowded departure lounges and retail areas to security zones, baggage handling and air traffic control operations – modern airports rely heavily on complex building services infrastructure that operates continuously under significant pressure.
Behind the scenes, HVAC systems play a critical role in keeping these environments functioning safely and comfortably. Facilities and engineering teams recognise that water quality has a major influence on whether those systems continue to perform efficiently during the busiest periods of the year.
The scale of the challenge facing airports is considerable. Modern terminals are effectively mini cities operating around the clock, with high ceilings, large open-plan spaces and extensive glazed façades that place huge demands on cooling and ventilation systems.
Research suggests that the energy consumption intensity of large airport terminals can be two to three times higher than comparable commercial buildings, with HVAC systems responsible for approximately 40% to 80% of total energy use.*
Critical heating & cooling systems
Many major airport operators are pursuing ambitious sustainability and decarbonisation targets, while simultaneously handling rising passenger volumes. But they cannot compromise on indoor environmental quality. HVAC systems are fundamental to wider operational resilience and health considerations in busy public environments.
Cooling systems are particularly critical during the summer months. A loss of cooling in a crowded terminal can quickly create uncomfortable and potentially unsafe conditions for passengers and staff. However, the importance of HVAC goes far beyond public-facing spaces.
Many of the essential operational areas within airports depend on reliable temperature control and stable environmental conditions. Air traffic control facilities, operational offices, communications systems and associated IT infrastructure rely on resilient cooling systems to support continuous operation. In these environments, maintaining system reliability is not simply a matter of comfort; it is fundamental to operational continuity.
This is one reason preventative maintenance and long-term HVAC performance are such high priorities within airports. Water quality is a key part of this picture.
Airports circulate large volumes of water through heating and cooling systems. Without effective water treatment, closed-loop systems can suffer from corrosion, scale build-up and suspended solids that gradually reduce system performance. These issues can restrict flow, reduce heat transfer efficiency and increase the workload placed on pumps, chillers and associated plant.
Over time, poor water quality can contribute to higher energy consumption, reduced reliability and greater maintenance requirements – exactly the kind of operational risks that airport engineering teams work hard to avoid during peak travel periods.
Contingency planning
Modern water treatment approaches can help address these challenges while reducing the need for intensive manual intervention. Enwa’s EnwaMatic side stream filtration system is designed to support stable water quality through automation, self-regulating water chemistry and filtration processes that help maintain system performance over time.
The system continuously removes debris and suspended solids to below 10 microns, helping to protect HVAC infrastructure and maintain efficient heat transfer performance. Automated backwashing of the mixed media bed and water quality management help reduce the need for regular manual maintenance activity.
This can be particularly valuable in large and operationally sensitive environments such as airports, where time-pressed engineering teams are responsible for extensive building services infrastructure across multiple terminals, ‘airside’ locations and other operational zones.
BS500 series, installed in parallel, treating > 1,000 m3 with BAF (glycol retention system)
Importantly, good water treatment is not simply about protecting plant equipment. It also supports wider sustainability and energy efficiency objectives. The by-products of corrosion, fouling and poor water quality can significantly reduce the energy transport characteristics of water within HVAC systems, potentially increasing operational energy demand.
As airports continue investing in decarbonisation strategies and more energy-efficient infrastructure, maintaining clean and efficient HVAC systems becomes increasingly important.
Enwa has extensive experience supporting HVAC water treatment across a range of demanding environments, including airports and other large-scale commercial and infrastructure projects. Our side stream filtration technology has been applied across LTHW, MTHW, CHW and condenser water systems to support long-term operational performance and efficiency.
So as airports prepare for another busy summer season, modern water treatment technology has an increasingly important role to play behind the scenes, helping engineering teams maintain resilient, efficient and reliable HVAC systems when they are needed most.
At Enwa, we voluntarily comply with CSRD and have a clear sustainability strategy. If you would like to find out more about the EnwaMatic approach to water treatment, please contact our team to learn more about our unique technology on uksales@enwa.com or call 01530 830 354.
ABOUT Enwa Water Technology UK
Enwa Water Technology UK (EWT UK) specialise in ‘cutting edge’ Side Stream Filtration and Water Treatment for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system applications.
If you would like to find out more about the EnwaMatic approach to water treatment, please contact our team to learn more about our unique technology on uksales@enwa.com or call 01530 830 354.
Visit the DATACENTRE.ME Directory Listing for Enwa Water Technology UK here.
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