10 Most Water-Stressed States in the US in 2026

Dried up Harbor, Image by Jean—Paul Wetstein found on Prexels

The U.S. water crisis has reached a critical tipping point in 2026. As of April, record-breaking spring droughts have left over 62% of the Lower 48 states in moderate to exceptional drought conditions.

While the Southwest remains the "ground zero" for scarcity due to the shrinking Colorado River, a surprising shift has occurred: the Southeast is currently battling an unprecedented spring emergency, with 94% of the region under severe drought stress.

Based on the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor and the World Resources Institute, these states face the highest risk to their residential, agricultural, and industrial water supplies.

🌵 1. Arizona

Arizona faces severe shortages due to over‑allocation of the Colorado River and shrinking groundwater. Mandatory cutbacks are already in effect, and parts of Phoenix have halted new housing developments because they cannot prove a 100‑year water supply.

🎰 2. Nevada

Nevada receives only a tiny fraction of Colorado River water, making Las Vegas one of the most water‑vulnerable cities in the U.S. The state has passed aggressive conservation laws, including a ban on irrigating “nonfunctional grass” starting in 2027.

🌾 3. California

California faces a double crisis: reduced Colorado River allocations and rapid groundwater depletion, especially in the Central Valley. Several aquifers are already in critical overdraft and placed on probation by the state.

🏜️ 4. Utah

Utah is part of the Colorado River Basin and is experiencing growing water stress as population growth and drought reduce available supply.

🏺 5. New Mexico

New Mexico struggles with overuse and groundwater depletion, worsened by declining snowpack and heavy agricultural demand.

🌄 6. Colorado

Colorado’s water demand is rising while Colorado River flows decline. Growing cities and agriculture are intensifying pressure on limited supplies.

🐊 7. Florida

Less obvious but increasingly stressed, Florida faces shrinking aquifers and saltwater intrusion in coastal areas.

🌽 8. Kansas

Kansas depends heavily on the Ogallala Aquifer, which is being depleted faster than it can recharge, threatening farms and towns.

🤠 9. Texas

Texas faces regional water shortages, especially in the High Plains and drought‑prone western counties, where demand is approaching supply.

🍑 10. Georgia

Georgia is experiencing localized scarcity, especially in rapidly growing metro areas where demand is outpacing available freshwater.

Each of these states is implementing measures to tackle their respective water challenges. In Georgia, for example, communities with populations of 3,300 or greater are mandated to conduct water audits and employ water loss control systems.

Additionally, residents and businesses are being encouraged—through regulatory requirements or financial incentives—to install 1.28 gallon per flush toilets and waterless urinals. These measures significantly decrease water usage and promote efficient, responsible management of water resources.  

10 Countries Most Impacted by Water Scarcity Right Now

Image Taken in Cyprus by Burcubytz_85 found on Prexels

As of April 2026, the most acute water scarcity is predominantly located in the Middle East and North Africa. These areas are experiencing "extremely high" baseline water stress, defined as withdrawing more than 80% of their renewable water resources annually.

Based on the latest rankings from the World Resources Institute (WRI) Aqueduct and recent global reports for 2026, the following ten countries exhibit the highest levels of critical water stress:

Rank Country Primary Drivers of Scarcity

1 Kuwait Near-total reliance on energy-intensive desalination.

2 Cyprus Low natural freshwater supply combined with high tourism demand.

3 Oman Arid climate with rising urban and industrial consumption.

4 Qatar High per-capita demand and almost no natural surface water.

5 Bahrain Significant pressure on aging aquifers and limited groundwater.

6 Lebanon Recent economic instability and poor infrastructure management.

7 UAE Extremely high consumption rates despite hyper-arid conditions.

8 Saudi Arabia Depletion of non-renewable fossil groundwater for agriculture.

9 Israel High demand, though mitigated by advanced reclamation and desalination.

10 Egypt Rapid population growth and heavy reliance on the Nile River.

Key Distinctions in "Scarcity"

It is important to differentiate between the various ways countries encounter water scarcity:

Physical Water Stress (Supply vs. Demand): This phenomenon is prevalent in affluent Gulf nations such as Kuwait and Qatar, where financial capacity enables mitigation of physical scarcity through investment in costly desalination facilities.

Economic Water Scarcity (Lack of Infrastructure): In contrast, countries including Chad, Central African Republic, and Sierra Leone possess physical water resources but lack adequate infrastructure for purification and safe distribution. For example, in Chad, only a limited portion of the population has access to safely managed drinking water, despite proximity to substantial water basins.

Factors Driving the Acceleration of These Trends

Urbanization: In metropolitan areas such as Delhi and Beijing, water demand is surpassing the sustainable capacity of local watersheds.

Agricultural Intensity: Approximately 70% of global freshwater resources are allocated to agriculture. Over-extraction for irrigation purposes in countries including Saudi Arabia and India has resulted in a significant decline in groundwater levels.

A Changing Climate: Increased rates of evaporation and greater variability in precipitation patterns are transforming regions previously considered manageable into areas at elevated risk.

Addressing the Challenges

Typically, implementing measures to decrease consumption and use water more efficiently is the most effective approach for tackling both immediate and long-term challenges. Water efficiency refers to sustained reductions in water use and does not rely on temporary shortages like droughts.

Implementing a Water Managment Plan for Long-Term Water Efficency (Copy)

Implementing a water management plan is not simply a procedural task—it is a strategic shift toward long-term sustainability. For commercial facilities, the process begins with developing a comprehensive plan that clearly understands how water is used today and how it can be used more efficiently tomorrow.

A well-structured plan establishes baselines, identifies inefficiencies, and sets measurable reduction goals, creating a roadmap for continuous improvement (The Department of Energy's Energy.gov). True sustainability goes beyond encouraging better habits; it requires a coordinated effort that combines technology, data, and organizational commitment to achieve lasting reductions in water use.

At the core of any effective plan is a cultural shift.

When businesses actively promote water awareness across teams, they unlock more than environmental benefits. Reduced consumption lowers utility costs, decreases energy demand for pumping and heating water, and strengthens resilience against supply disruptions. Over time, these efforts also enhance brand credibility as stakeholders increasingly favor organizations that demonstrate responsible resource management.

The foundation of this process is a professional water audit.

A water audit provides a detailed picture of how water flows through a facility, identifying where it is used, wasted, or lost. By analyzing consumption patterns and infrastructure, audits reveal inefficiencies such as leaks, outdated fixtures, or unnecessary usage, often uncovering significant cost-saving opportunities (The Water Retail Company).

While smaller properties may attempt basic audits internally, larger or more complex facilities benefit from expert analysis that includes long-term data collection, submetering insights, and predictive trend evaluation. Importantly, audits should not be treated as one-time exercises. Repeating them every few years ensures that aging systems, evolving operations, and hidden failures are addressed before they become costly problems.

Once inefficiencies are identified, organizations can prioritize improvements using a structured approach.

A practical method is to group projects based on urgency and return on investment. Immediate actions focus on critical repairs such as leaks that cause direct financial and structural damage.

• Short-term improvements target low-cost upgrades—simple changes that can be implemented quickly for immediate savings.

• Mid-term initiatives often align with planned renovations, allowing efficiency upgrades to be integrated into broader projects.

• Finally, long-term planning addresses major capital investments, such as replacing large mechanical systems, ensuring these upgrades are scheduled strategically rather than in response to emergencies.

Technology plays a central role in achieving meaningful and sustained water savings.

High-efficiency restroom fixtures, including low-flow toilets and waterless urinals, significantly reduce consumption in one of the most water-intensive areas of any building. Sensor-based fixtures further eliminate unnecessary usage by ensuring water flows only when needed.

Beyond fixtures, advanced systems such as submetering provide real-time visibility into water use, enabling facility managers to quickly detect anomalies and respond before waste escalates.

Water recycling systems extend efficiency even further by capturing and reusing graywater for non-potable applications like irrigation or cooling, while smart irrigation systems leverage weather and soil data to prevent overwatering. Automated leak detection technologies add another layer of protection by identifying issues instantly and, in some cases, shutting off water before damage occurs.

The long-term return on these strategies is both financial and operational.

Reducing water consumption directly lowers utility expenses and also cuts energy costs associated with heating, pumping, and wastewater treatment. At the same time, a well-executed water management plan supports sustainability certifications and regulatory compliance, positioning facilities for programs such as green building standards.

Perhaps most importantly, it strengthens market appeal. Customers, investors, and partners increasingly expect measurable environmental responsibility, and organizations that can demonstrate verified water efficiency gain a competitive edge.

In the end, effective water management transforms water from an overlooked expense into a controlled, optimized resource. By combining data-driven insights, smart prioritization, and modern technology, businesses can move beyond reactive conservation efforts and build a resilient, efficient system that delivers value for years to come.

________________________________________

About the Author

Klaus Reichardt is the CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc., a pioneer in the restroom fixture industry since 1991. A dedicated advocate for water efficiency, Reichardt is a frequent author and speaker on water resource management and sustainable building technologies. He can be reached through his company website, www.waterless.com

From TV Taboos to Water Efficiency: How much do you know about today’s restrooms?

Photo by Max Fischer found on Prexels

Test Your Restroom IQ

Vista, CA – April 22, 2026 - A toilet didn’t show up on American TV until 1957, and even then, it stirred up controversy. Now, restroom technology leads the way in global sustainability.

To offer a brief "brain break" from today’s daily news cycle, Klaus Reichardt, CEO of Waterless Co., Inc., has curated a trivia challenge that traces the surprising history and science of the humble toilet and urinal.

Here’s the quiz. Answers are below.

1.    The Bathroom Barrier: Censorship was strict in television’s Golden Age. Which show finally broke the "bathroom barrier" by displaying a toilet (well, the tank) on screen?

2.    The Art of the Urinal: Which legendary artist famously submitted a porcelain urinal to an art exhibition, titled "Fountain"?

3.    The Innovation Leader: Which country is currently considered the world leader in developing the most innovative, high-tech urinal systems?

4.    The Sustainability Edge: While many factors matter, what are the primary environmental advantages of switching to waterless urinals?

5.    User Psychology: Why do men overwhelmingly choose a urinal over a stall when entering a commercial restroom?

6.    The Airport Fly: To improve "target accuracy" and reduce cleaning costs, which international airport famously etched a fly into their porcelain?

7.    Becoming a Staple: In what decade did the urinal officially move from a novelty to a standard fixture in North American public restrooms?

“By the way, there’s a reason a 'fly' was selected to be etched into urinals,” says Reichardt. “Studies show that when men see the fly, it becomes a 'natural' target that they instinctually want to wash away.”

Answers:

1.    Leave it to Beaver

2.    Marcel Duchamp

3.    Japan

4.    Water savings and cost savings

5.    Shorter wait times

6.    Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam)

7.    1920s

###

About Waterless Co., Inc.

Waterless Co., Inc. is the pioneer of the waterless urinal industry, leading the global shift toward sustainable restroom technology since 1991. Headquartered in Vista, California, the company specializes in high-performance, water-efficiency solutions that eliminate water waste while reducing facility operating costs. From its flagship no-flush urinals to advanced liquid plumbing technology, Waterless Co. provides innovative, eco-friendly infrastructure for commercial, industrial, and residential applications worldwide.

Saving Water. Lowering Costs. Redefining the Restroom. Visit us at www.waterless.com.

Fresh & Functional: 4 Strategies for Maintaining Waterless Urinals

Inside an EcoTrap Trap/Cylinder from Waterless Co., Inc.

While skeptics once worried about malodors from of waterless (or no-flush) urinals, modern technology has proven those fears unfounded. When cleaned and maintained properly, these fixtures provide a sanitary, scent-free, and highly efficient restroom environment.

Interestingly, many janitorial experts prefer them over traditional models because the upkeep is often more straightforward. Here is how to keep your waterless systems performing at their peak.

1. Monitor the Trap and Sealant Level

The heart of any waterless urinal is its cartridge or trap mechanism. This component performs two vital roles:

• Directing urine directly into the plumbing below

• Creating a barrier with sealing liquid to prevent sewer gases from escaping.

Odors usually only appear if the sealant has evaporated or the cartridge needs to be replaced. Maintenance schedules depend on foot traffic:

• Standard units typically need a refresh every 2 months.

• High-capacity systems, such as the EcoTrap® pictured above, can function effectively for up to 6 months.

Quick Fix: If you notice a lingering smell, check the sealant level first. Adding a few ounces of liquid or swapping the cartridge usually solves the problem instantly.

2. Stick to "Dry-Friendly" Cleaning Techniques

Waterless urinals require a slightly different cleaning approach than their flushing counterparts. To avoid damaging the system, keep these rules in mind:

• Avoid the "Bucket Flush": Never dump large volumes of water down the drain, as this can flush away the essential sealing oil.

• Skip the Scrubbing: Since there is no standing water, you won't deal with hard-water scale. Aggressive scrubbing is unnecessary and can scratch the finish.

The Ideal Routine:

1.    Apply a specialized cleaner (like NviroClean) or a mild all-purpose spray.

2.    Let the solution sit for 60–120 seconds to neutralize bacteria.

3.    Wipe the surface with a clean microfiber cloth.

3. Sanitize the surrounding "Splash Zone"

In any restroom, the fixture itself is rarely the only source of smells. "Splash-back" is a reality that affects the surrounding environment. Urine droplets can migrate to:

• Adjacent walls and partitions.

• The floor directly beneath the unit.

• The underside of the urinal housing.

To combat this, ensure your cleaning crew mops the floor daily and wipes down all nearby vertical surfaces. If you use urinal mats, ensure they are replaced on a strict rotation or managed by a professional service to prevent them from becoming saturated.

4. Ensure Clear Drain Lines

If the urinal is well-maintained but malodors are present, the issue might be hidden further down the pipe.

• Audit the Flow: Check for slow drainage during your routine inspections.

• Take Action: Use a drain auger to remove minor obstructions. For persistent backups, it is best to call a licensed plumber to clear the lines professionally.

The Verdict: A Smarter Way to Go

Transitioning to waterless systems doesn't just save water; it simplifies the custodial workflow. Because there is no forceful flush, there is less aerosolized spray, meaning fewer germs on surfaces and a lower risk of inhaling chemical fumes.

By following these four steps, you ensure a facility that is sustainable, cost-effective, and—above all—perfectly fresh.

Klaus Reichardt: Life Beyond Water Efficiency – A Passion for Cars

My Grandkids, Mac and Cash, in the back of my Mercury Colony Park

One of the most rewarding aspects of my career is the personal relationships I’ve built. Over time, many of our customers become more than just clients—they become genuine friends. Because of that, conversations naturally shift from "all business" to personal passions.

Many people ask how I spend my time "off duty." The short answer? Classic cars. Probably more than is entirely reasonable.

I’ve always been a car enthusiast. Most weekends, you’ll find me either behind the wheel of something interesting or standing around with a cup of coffee talking shop—which, to be honest, is just as enjoyable as the drive itself.

Building a Saturday Morning Car Tradition

About 15 years ago, a few friends and I started meeting on Saturday mornings. It wasn't fancy—just a casual get-together—but it eventually turned into a standing tradition. Through job changes, family milestones, and even a pandemic, we’ve kept it going. At this point, it would take a natural disaster (or really bad coffee) to stop us.

What makes this car community special is how it levels the playing field. It doesn’t matter what you do for a living; if you show up with a vehicle you love, you’re one of us. Our group includes business owners, retired engineers, teachers, contractors, and young enthusiasts just getting started.

Every week is a surprise. You truly never know what’s going to roll into the parking lot. One Saturday, a 1910 Packard parked next to a brand-new Rolls-Royce Black Edition—one of only thirty ever made. Seeing a 100-year-old car sharing space with a modern masterpiece is a rare sight.

The Nostalgia of the 1991 Mercury Colony Park

Until recently, my favorite car was my 1991 Mercury Colony Park station wagon—the last of the true full-size American wagons.

I found it on Facebook Marketplace in Florida. Buying a car sight-unseen is usually a risk my practical side avoids, but after speaking with the owner, I decided to take the leap. When the transport truck arrived three weeks later, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. The car was pristine—better than I had even hoped.

There is a unique nostalgia for vintage station wagons. Everyone has a story when they see it: family road trips, learning to drive, or sitting in the rear-facing "jump seat." I hear those stories all the time, and they never get old.

The Joy of the Drive in San Diego

Even though I have since found a new home for the Colony Park, I’ll always remember the experience. It was smooth, comfortable, and built for long, easy drives—back when the journey was just as important as the destination.

Living in San Diego makes being a car collector even better; the weather allows you to take a classic out pretty much any day of the year.

After all these years, I’ve realized the cars are just the excuse. What keeps us coming back week after week are the friendships, the laughs, and the shared appreciation for automotive history. Every Saturday morning, when I fire up my latest favorite car and head to the coffee spot, it doesn’t feel like a hobby.

It feels like seeing family.

—Klaus Reichardt

Water Consumption: How Much can you actually save?

Comparing conventional and waterless urinals reveals significant differences in both environmental impact and long-term operational costs. Based on our 30-plus years om business, here is how the two technologies stack up:

Water Consumption: Comparison Between a Conventional Urinal and a Waterless Urinal

The most immediate difference is the volume of water used (or saved) per year.

• Conventional Urinals: A standard unit typically uses 2.3 gallons per flush. Even newer "high-efficiency" models in states like California are capped at 0.5 gallons per flush. On average, one conventional urinal guzzles roughly 35,000 gallons of water per year.

• Waterless Urinals: These units require zero water for operation. By eliminating the flush entirely, a single unit saves between 30,000 and 45,000 gallons annually—enough to fill a small pond or meet the total water needs of a family of four for six to seven months.

Cost Comparison

While waterless urinals require an initial investment for retrofitting, they often provide a quick return on investment (ROI).

Annual Water/Sewer Cost

High for a conventional urinal (based on tens of thousands of gallons)

Mechanical Maintenance

Conventional Urinal ~$120/year (sensors, valves, batteries)

Waterless Urinal (no moving parts)

Plumbing Issues

Conventional Prone to leaks and "urea stone" buildup

Waterless Reduced clogging (no water-urine reaction)

Operational Costs

Conventional Under $900/year for a large facility (e.g., 17 units)

Waterless Negligable

Key Operational Differences

• Maintenance: Waterless urinals eliminate the most frequent restroom repair items: flush valves and sensors. Instead, they use a trap insert with biodegradable sealant that prevents odors and sewer gases from entering the room.

• Hygiene: Conventional urinals create a "plume" or mist of airborne pathogens when flushed. Waterless systems eliminate this aerosolization and, because the surface stays dry, create a hostile environment for bacteria growth.

• Hidden Costs: Leaky valves in conventional units are "silent budget killers," potentially wasting up to 4,000 gallons of water per year per fixture without being noticed.

Bottom Line: Switching to waterless technology can result in a return on investment within 12 to 24 months due to the combination of utility savings and the elimination of mechanical repair costs.

 Ready to Save Thousands?

Stop flushing your maintenance budget away. Waterless urinals are more hygienic, easier to maintain, and significantly better for the planet.

Get a Quote Today: > 📞 Toll-Free: 800-244-6364

🌐 Visit us at: www.waterless.com

The Ultimate Waterless Urinal Challenge: How High is Your Restroom IQ?

Think you’re an expert on facility management and sustainability? Most people are shocked to learn how much water (and money) literally goes down the drain every day.

Take our "Dry Facts" Quiz to uncover the surprising truth about conventional urinals and the cost-saving power of waterless technology.

The Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

1. Compared to toilets, a urinal is used how many more times per day?

• A. Twice as often

• B. Three times

• C. Four times

• D. About the same

2. On average, how many gallons of water does a conventional urinal use per flush?

• A. Less than one gallon

• B. 2 gallons

• C. 2.3 gallons

• D. 3.5 gallons

3. How many gallons of water does a single conventional urinal guzzle per year?

• A. 5,000 gallons

• B. 20,000 gallons

• C. 45,000 gallons

• D. 50,000 gallons

4. A conventional urinal uses as much water per year as which of the following?

• A. A large public swimming pool

• B. A family of four in six or seven months

• C. One person’s total water needs for an entire year

• D. All the above

5. The average annual electrical and mechanical maintenance cost for one conventional urinal is:

• A. Less than $30

• B. $50

• C. $120

• D. Negligible

6. How many gallons do conventional urinals waste due to leakage each year?

• A. Less than 100 gallons

• B. About 1,000 gallons

• C. As much as 2,000 gallons

• D. As much as 4,000 gallons

7. A waterless urinal requires special, expensive chemicals to prevent odors.

• A. Yes

• B. No

8. An office building has 4,000 occupants (2,000 men). How much water is used just for urinal flushing annually?

• A. 200,000 gallons

• B. 1,000,000 gallons

• C. 3,000,000 gallons

• D. Over 3,500,000 gallons

9. How do conventional urinals block sewer gases from entering the room?

• A. A filtering system in the drainpipe

• B. A water-filled interior trap (P-trap)

• C. There is no system

• D. The drain screen

10. How does a Waterless Urinal prevent odors and gases?

• A. A mesh screen

• B. A trap insert with biodegradable sealant liquid

• C. Magic (and no maintenance)

• D. A constant water trickle

The "Dry" Truth

1: C. Urinals handle 4x the traffic of toilets in most commercial settings.

2: C The average "standard" flush is 2.3 gallons—a huge waste of resources.

3: C. 45k gallons is the average; that’s enough to fill a small pond!

4: D. It’s all of them. The waste is staggering when compared to household use.

5: C. Between sensors, valves, and batteries, conventional units cost about $120/yr.

6: D. Leaky valves are silent budget killers, wasting up to 4,000 gallons.

7: B. False! Standard cleaners work fine; no "special" magic required.

8: C. A staggering 3 million gallons. Imagine the utility bill!

9: B . They rely on a pool of standing water, which can evaporate or leak.

10. B. Our biodegradable liquid is lighter than urine, creating a perfect seal.

💧 Ready to Save Thousands?

Stop flushing your maintenance budget away. Waterless urinals are more hygienic, easier to maintain, and significantly better for the planet.

Get a Quote Today: > 📞 Toll-Free: 800-244-6364

🌐 Visit us at: www.waterless.com

Note: Statistics provided in part by the University of Florida Department of Physics. Estimates vary by location and utility rates.

Waterless Urinals: Water Savings, O&M Impacts, and ROI Considerations for Facility Directors

Waterless urinals can be a high-impact water-conservation retrofits with measurable operating cost benefits. Depending on baseline fixture performance and restroom traffic, a single unit can save an estimated 35,000–45,000 gallons of water per year—often reducing both water and sewer charges.

For example, Sierra Community College in California replaced 33 conventional urinals with waterless models and reports conserving an estimated 1.3 million gallons annually.

What Drives Water Savings (and How to Baseline Them)

Savings depend primarily on what you’re replacing—actual flush performance, fixture age/condition, and usage volume. For the most defensible estimate, confirm current water use (metering, spot measurements, or maintenance observations) rather than relying only on published flush ratings.

As a rule of thumb, older urinals—especially original fixtures still in service—can consume as much as 45,000 gallons per year. Urinals installed as recently as the 1990s may be closer to 20,000 gallons annually. The older (and more degraded) the fixture, the greater the savings potential when you convert to waterless.

One important caveat: rated flush volume and real-world water use often diverge over time. A urinal rated at one gallon per flush may use considerably more after years of wear, valve drift, repeated repairs, or vandalism. When estimating savings (and verifying them post-install), use measured or observed performance wherever possible.

• Confirm baseline use: identify current flush volume in practice (not just rated), and estimate daily uses per fixture.

• Review O&M capacity: align housekeeping and maintenance on cartridge/service intervals, drain-line cleaning approach, and spare parts stocking.

• Consider environment: high-misuse locations and certain occupant groups may require more frequent maintenance.

• Validate requirements: confirm local code/authority requirements and any internal standards before standardizing on a model.

Cost Savings: Utility Rates, Sewer Charges, and Payback

Beyond reducing water consumption, waterless urinals can reduce combined water-and-sewer costs. The dollar impact depends on your blended rates (and how your utility bills sewage), but examples help illustrate the range of outcomes.

For instance, the Lucia Mar Unified School District in Arroyo Grande, California, reported saving $1,700 after installing waterless urinals across its schools. For many facilities, these savings can help offset retrofit costs and support sustainability or deferred-maintenance priorities.

For a deeper look at cost savings and operational considerations, Massachusetts published one of the most comprehensive independent studies on waterless urinals. It can be a useful reference for facilities evaluating a switch.

Facility Fit: Where Waterless Urinals Work Best (and Where to Be Cautious)

Waterless urinals perform well in most commercial and institutional applications, but the right choice depends on user behavior, maintenance capacity, and risk tolerance for higher-touch locations.

The Massachusetts study advises against using waterless urinals in correctional facilities, where higher rates of misuse can accelerate residue buildup and lead to premature cartridge clogging. If you do consider installation in high-misuse environments, plan for more frequent inspections, clear housekeeping procedures, and a defined response process for clogs or odor complaints.

In offices, schools, airports, stadiums, and many other public-facing facilities, waterless urinals can deliver meaningful water savings with manageable maintenance when standard work is defined up front.

Next Step: Build a Site-Specific Savings and Maintenance Estimate

Every facility is different, and the best business case comes from your own baselines. To estimate water and cost savings for your site, gather (1) current fixture type/condition, (2) estimated uses per day, and (3) your blended water-and-sewer rates. If helpful, a Waterless Co. representative can support a quick assessment and recommend a pilot approach for verifying savings and maintenance effort.

The goal now must be to use water as efficiently as possible. The steps discussed here will help facility managers accomplish that.

How the DOE Saves Water

Source: US Department of Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Moab UMTRA Project in eastern Utah demonstrates a successful water efficiency and conservation initiative by switching to waterless urinals across its Moab and Crescent Junction sites.

Key points:

• Phased implementation:
  The project gradually transitioned from low-flow toilets (2002) to waterless urinals, starting with a pilot in 2015 and completing full adoption (17 units) by 2021.

• How the technology works:
  Waterless urinals use a cartridge and biodegradable sealant to direct waste, block odors, and prevent bacterial reactions—eliminating the need for flushing water.

• Major impact:

• Over 80,000 gallons of water saved annually

• Significant wastewater reduction (~76,500 gallons)

• Low operating cost (under $900/year total)

• Quick return on investment (within 12–18 months)

• Efficiency gains:
  Each urinal saves about $875 per year, with minimal maintenance required.

• Broader significance:
  The project serves as a scalable, cost-effective model for water conservation, especially in water-scarce regions like the American West.

Bottom line:
A simple, low-cost technology shift led to substantial environmental and financial benefits, making it a strong example of practical sustainability in action.  That’s pretty much what waterless urinals are all about.