Kansas State University Building
When facility managers evaluate upgrading their restrooms, water conservation usually takes center stage. But while saving water is great for the planet, saving money is great for the budget. As it turns out, waterless urinals are one of those rare upgrades where environmental duty meets bottom-line reality—no flushing required.
A landmark study by the Department of Civil Engineering at Kansas State University pulled back the curtain on campus water usage. The findings show that traditional plumbing fixtures consume far more than just water - they consume operational dollars.
The Kansas State Study: Benchmarking Commercial Water Use
The utility audit examined water consumption across various plumbing fixtures—including faucets, showers, toilets, and urinals—on a Kansas college campus.
Here is what the research revealed about urinal water consumption:
Modern Fixtures (0.5 to 1.5 GPF): The campus urinals consumed between 0.5 and 1.5 gallons per flush (GPF), indicating modern, well-maintained units.
Older & Worn Fixtures (3+ GPF): Older urinals can gulp up to 3.0 GPF. Even 1.0 GPF models often drift into higher water usage as internal components wear down over time.
The Research Goal: The study aimed to create a repeatable framework for state agencies and public facilities to establish water baselines, conduct energy/utility audits, and implement long-term monitoring.
Crunching the Numbers: The Annual Cost per Fixture
To account for seasonal demand shifts—like warmer weather driving up shower and restroom usage—data was collected at multiple points throughout the year.
Estimated Annual Water Cost per Urinal
Standard Urinal
1.5 GPF
$32.40
Campus Average
~1.0 GPF
$21.60
While the study did not count every fixture, a conservative estimate based on student population and standard building ratios suggested the campus had at least 100 urinals in active service.
At an average annual cost of $21.60 per unit, that adds up to a baseline of more than $2,160 per year just to flush urinals.
Why These Numbers Matter More Today
While the physics of flushing haven't changed, utility bill economics certainly have.
Since the Kansas State study was conducted, municipal water and wastewater rates have surged nationwide. If you recalculated those exact same water volumes using today’s utility rates, that $2,160 figure would be considerably higher. In short: flushing traditional urinals is getting more expensive by the year.
The Bigger Picture: Long-Term ROI for High-Traffic Facilities
Evaluating waterless urinals purely as an eco-friendly feature misses half the equation. The financial business case is equally compelling:
Direct Utility Savings: Eliminating water purchases and wastewater charges for urinal flushes.
Hedge Against Inflation: Locking in protection against rising municipal utility rates.
Rapid Payback Period: The money saved on water and sewer charges offsets initial equipment costs quickly, yielding ongoing net savings year after year.
For high-traffic environments—such as universities, airports, sports stadiums, healthcare centers, and commercial office complexes—the cumulative financial return across hundreds of fixtures becomes substantial.
Ready to Stop Flushing Your Operating Budget?
Every facility is unique. Actual cost savings depend on local sewer and water rates, daily traffic, and maintenance routines, but the potential is clear.
Want to estimate the ROI for your facility?
Contact a Waterless Co., Inc. representative today to learn how going waterless can streamline your operations and bolster your bottom line
