Monday, April 2, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Administration Washes Out Waste, Saves Taxpayers $500,000 Plus Annually
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt's administration continues to uncover new ways to save taxpayer dollars. Most recently, two agencies collaborated to introduce new technology in laundry services to save the state $512,473 annually.
"We have discovered yet another way to improve state operations and save taxpayer dollars," Blunt said. "I commend the Office of Administration and the Department of Corrections on their cooperative effort to improve efficiency. Their investment will lead to greater savings for all Missourians."
Blunt's Office of Administration and the Department of Corrections recently introduced a new laundry system to manage the average total of 26,950 pounds of laundry per day at the sites being converted.
The new system replaced old, unreliable equipment that was taxing facilities' energy resources. It uses a highly reactive form of oxygen, many times more powerful than a disinfectant in water and faster in destroying viruses and bacteria. In Boonville, it cost $52,919 to purchase and install new equipment, but the projected annual energy savings, $94,218, more than covers the investment.
The laundry manager at the Boonville Correctional Center reports since the new system has been in place the wash quality is improved and more effective. Energy savings is also evident. For example, at 8 a.m. the center would have had approximately 30 psi of steam pressure to heat water for laundry and steam dryers under the old system. With the new laundry operations, there is now 70 psi available. The facility also has shorter wash cycles, and the drying time has improved from 90 minutes per load to 60 minutes per load.
Other correctional institutions are also investing in the new technology:
- Algoa Correctional Center: equipment costs $93,055 - savings per year $35,279
- Southeast Correctional Center: equipment costs $57,554 - savings per year $29,414
- South Central Correctional Center: equipment costs $80,266 - savings per year $46,687
- Missouri Eastern Correctional Center: equipment costs $36,110 - savings per year $23,912
- Farmington Correctional Center: equipment costs $236,456 - savings per year $282,963
The new O-zone laundry system is also better for the environment. O-zone reacts better with organic compounds like dirt and bacteria, reducing the phosphates in waterways. Energy usage is lower with the new system because it works best with cold water and does not require as much water to complete the laundry process.
For more information contact Dave Mosby with FMDC at (573) 751-1034.