This study presents a globally optimal linear procedure for the simultaneous design of cooling water systems. The optimization entails obtaining optimal pipe diameters, pump selection, and detailed cooler design. For the latter, the Kern model and the linear formulation proposed by Goncalves et al. (Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2017, 56, 5970) were used. The proposed linear model is compared with conventional design procedures, such as optimizing the design of each exchanger first, through area minimization or through area and pressure drop costs. The results illustrate in one of the examples the advantage of using the proposed simultaneous design approach.