A system and method for controlling the level of a process water pond is provided. According to one aspect of the invention, the method includes increasing the evaporation rate of the process water pond through the addition of heat from a power plant. According to another aspect, the method includes pumping process water through a condenser of the power plant. According to a further aspect, the method includes pumping substantially pure feedwater between a condenser of the power plant and a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the process water pond. According to yet another aspect, the method includes selectively pumping feedwater between a cooling tower and a condenser of the power plant, or pumping process water between the process water pond and the condenser. Aspects further provide a method for increasing recovery of substances contained in process water, and a method for cleaning a stagnant process water pond.