Examines the factors that contribute to proper water balance for cooling towers, including total alkalinity, calcium hardness and pH. States that a manipulation of these components is often necessary to keep the cooling tower from scaling or corroding. This has traditionally been achieved with the use of chemicals, such as acid, soda ash, sodium bicarbonate, algicides and bactericides. Suggests supplementary ionic water purification to achieve the reduction of scaling and corrosion problems. Notes this technology has been applied to cooling towers as an alternative to chemical-only regimens.