Elko Heat Company has been operating a geothermal district heating system in Elko, Nevada, since December 1982. This system is a direct-use application and serves 17 customers, and conveys approximately 80 million gallons of 178F geothermal water annually. The customers are primarily using the geothermal water for space heating and domestic hot water heating. Two customers are utilizing their return water for winter-time snow and ice melting on walkways, and one is utilizing a heat pump system. The customers are using the geothermal water to heat a controlled loop system via plate-type heat exchangers. Another customer, a commercial laundry, is softening geothermal water, and using it directly for wash and rinse water