DEP Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty this week honored Johnson & Johnson’s Pharmaceutical Research and Development Spring House campus in Montgomery County for its implementation of a “zero” discharge cooling tower water treatment system that reduces water consumption by 4.8 million gallons per year and saves more than $29,000 annually.

“This member of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies is at the forefront of water conservation in Pennsylvania,” Secretary McGinty said during a visit to the facility. “The Spring House plant demonstrates the success of a corporate credo that goes beyond compliance. This company’s efforts protect natural resources.”

Johnson & Johnson’s cooling tower project was one of 12 winners of the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, announced last month.

As the key project in a five-year water conservation program, Johnson & Johnson implemented a “zero” discharge cooling tower water treatment system that reduces water consumption, wastewater generation and discharges; improves efficiencies; reduces use of water treatment chemicals; and eases the burden on the local water authority and wastewater treatment plant.

Cooling towers remove excess heat from processes and building conditioning systems. They often use a lot of water not only for cooling but to prevent pipes and other components from becoming over mineralized.

In the fourth quarter of 2004, Johnson & Johnson’s Pharmaceutical Research and Development implemented a system that softens the water -- much like a home water softening system -- and makes it possible to reuse water for several additional cycles. By consuming less clean water and reducing the volume of wastewater being discharged to sewers, the new system annually conserves 4.8 million gallons.

“This project demonstrates not only technical innovation, but also the company’s ability to involve stakeholders,” Secretary McGinty said. “Johnson & Johnson worked closely with the North Wales Water Authority and Ambler Borough to transition successfully to the implementation of this system.”

The Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence honors Pennsylvania businesses and organizations that put projects in place that take on environmental problems in ways that build new businesses, enhance the bottom line and engage residents in a renewed commitment to investing in their communities.

For information on other winners, visit the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence webpage.

6/2/2006