World Water Day is March 22 – Here’s Some Ways to Celebrate It

World Water Day 2017  is March 22 is, but many people do not realize the importance of world water day.

World Water Day was created by the United Nations because water is essential to life on this planet. It is also vital for countries to have a strong and vibrant economy, to create jobs, and for social and human development.

An estimated 1.5 billion people work specifically in water-related sectors around the globe. But every industry in the world is in one way or another is dependent on water. That means when we suffer droughts or water shortages, the livelihoods of billions of people can be affected.

World Water Day gives us all an opportunity to learn more about water, remember its importance, and take steps to use water much more efficiently to reduce consumption.

History of World Water Day

World Water Day dates back to 1992. That was when the UN first started considering its creation, “as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources,” according to the organization. It was discussed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) – now known as the Earth Summit - which was held in Rio de Janeiro that year, and later adopted, with the first commemorative World Water Day held in 1993.

Over the years a number of world water day activities to celebrate this special day and recognize the importance of abundant, clean water have been developed. Among the “slightly unusual” are the following:

Drink Upscale Water: Some people call seltzer water “upscale water” because it’s one of the favored drinks of the rich. However, seltzer water can actually help us consume less water. Seltzer water is regular tap water but carbonated. It seems to fill us up faster, so we drink less of it.

Eat Less Meat: Did you know that a typical steak dinner for two requires about 4,000 gallons (15,000 liters) of water? And Americans consume more meat today than they did 30 years ago, which is one reason water for livestock has become one of the greatest factors for increased water consumption in this country.

Know the Facts: Unfortunately, most people in the United States are simply unaware of how much of the world lacks clean, dependable water. According to the U.N. 85 percent of world population lives in the drier areas of the planet where water is in short supply and nearly 800 million do not have access to clean water.

Wash Your Hands Right the First Time: Some studies have found that many people wash their hands very quickly, and then before they eat, wash their hands again, to make sure they are clean. If you wash your hands right the first time – for about 15 seconds with soap and water – in many cases you can forgo the second wash.

Give for Water: According to a 2015 study by WaterAid America, one in five babies around the world dies during its first month of life due to lack of clean water. Further, they found that 35 percent of the lower-income countries around the world lack soap and water for proper handwashing. The result is death and disease.

Try Not to Flush: In the late 1970s, a little jingle on the mouths of millions of Californians was “if it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.” That jingle helped the state get through one of its worst droughts in history. But we can take that a step further today. Why do we need urinals that use 35,000 gallons of water per year just to flush the “yellow” down? This can be eliminated by using no-water urinal systems. They are clean, sanitary, hygienic, and water efficient.

Make a Pledge: Celebrate World Water Day every day by making a pledge to be aware of your water consumption and take steps to reduce it. Pledges work because once you try it, you quickly learn how easy it is to save water.

For more information on World Water Day 2017, ways to reduce water consumption, and honor World Water Day, call a Waterless Co representative at 800-244-6364.

Water Trivia You Always Wanted to Know

Because we are finally starting to think more about water—and ways to use it more efficiently—Waterless Co., manufacturer of no-water urinal systems, presents the following water trivia.

These are subjects most of us have wondered about at one time or another.  Hopefully, the following brings some understanding:

·        In the U.S., planners assume we will each use at least 70 gallons of water per day in the home and 35 gallons per day in the office.

·        The average household uses about 300 gallons of water per day; 70 percent is used indoors and 30 percent is used outdoors.

·        In urban areas, 75 percent of all water is used in homes.

·        In the home, roughly 60 percent of all water is used to flush toilets, and to run showers and faucets.

·        In an office, 40 percent of all water is used in restrooms, mostly for toilets and traditional urinals.

·        The average American uses 9,000 gallons of water annually to flush 230 gallons of waste.

·        Water wasted due to leaks totals about one trillion gallons annually in the U.S.

·        New studies indicate that one waterless urinal saves 30,000 to 45,000 gallons of water per year, sometimes more depending on where it is installed.

·        As to where the urine goes when using a no-water urinal, it flows below the trap/cylinder at the base of the urinal into a “U” tube to block odors; as it accumulates, it flows down a standard sewer pipe.

·        A top-loading washing machine uses 30 gallons of water per wash.

·        A front-loading washing machine uses 10 gallons of water per wash.

·        It takes energy to deliver water.  A faucet running for five minutes uses about as much energy as a 60-watt light bulb that has been turned on for 14 hours.

·        Our peak year for water consumption in the U.S. was 1980 in which we used 440 billion gallons of water per day (BGD); by 2010 that declined to 350 BGD, due to water efficiency measures and new technologies.

·        Water consumption increases with our incomes; a household making $150,000 annually will use about 30 percent more water than a household making $75,000 per year.

Note: Sources include The Water Footprint Network and the EPA’s WaterSense Program; all numbers are averages and can vary due to a variety of reasons.

About Waterless

Waterless Co. Inc. has established a well-respected reputation as being an innovative manufacturer of no-water urinal systems.  Based in Vista, Ca, the 25 year-old company is the oldest manufacturer of waterless urinals in North America.  The company’ manufacturers a full line of Waterless No-Flush urinals, cleaning liquids, and cost saving accessories. Visit: www.waterless.com 

EverPrime Drain Trap Liquid Could’ve Saved the Day

Sewer odors coming from restrooms can be a problem just about anywhere.  This is why all types of facilities should stock EverPrime drain trap liquid, just in case it happens to them.

Case in point: In June 2016 in what was reported as a “milestone,” San Diego finally opened a lifeguard tower on La Jolla Children’s Pool beach.  The tower had been planned for more than four years and cost the city about $5 million.

However, this was a short-lived milestone.  By July 2016, a bank of toilets in the tower overflowed and leaked into the lifeguard locker rooms and shower areas below.  It cost the city $1,400 to clean up the mess…only to have the toilets overflow once again a couple of weeks later.

Fortunately it appears this problem has been rectified.  However, almost as soon as that issue was taken care of another one materialized.  By mid-July, lifeguards began noticing a nasty smell in the building.  Sewer odors were coming from the sewage trap on the floor in the basement of the building.  This is an area of the building that is rarely used or cleaned.  Likely it is just used for storage.

Email records from the lifeguards to city engineers indicate that the sewer odor problem seemed to be getting worse.

“It has been recently brought to my attention that a significant odor is present in the Children’s Pool facility,” wrote lifeguard Sgt. Marcus Schreiber.  “Guards are reporting this to be unbearable at times.”

But wait, there’s more.  By August 2016, the lifeguards were sending more emails to the lifeguard sergeant, this time about rats.  “Three large rats were seen in the new facility,” according to one email, and a temporary trailer set up near the new tower was infested with ants.

Sewer odors, rats, ants – it makes you wonder what’s going to happen next.

As far as the rats and ants are concerned, it would not surprise us if the rats and ants were drawn to the area as a result of the sewer odors.  We can offer some insight into how the city could have addressed the sewer odors and this entire situation quickly and inexpensively. 

But first, let’s discuss what they actually did.  Their first step was to pressure wash the floor area in the basement.  This was a deep cleaning to help remove any sewer odors that had settled into the pores of the floor.  After this, the floor was sealed with an acrylic floor finish.  This sealed those very same pores.

To address the actual sewer odor problem, the city removed the grating from the floor drain and installed a solid plate over the opening.  Essentially, they closed the floor drain so no sewer odors could escape.

It does not appear that the city engineers ever investigated why the sewer odors were occurring.  On top of what we discussed here, the new tower was experiencing a number of structural problems which were blamed on the architects and contractor.  It’s very likely that they just added the sewer odor problem to the mix and blamed it on poor construction or design.

However, that may not have been the problem.  This is a new building.  There is no indication the basement floor had ever been mopped or pressure washed before.  What likely happened is that there was no water in the “J” or “P” trap underneath the floor drain.  It is the water that collects in these traps that prevents sewer odors from being released.

The city could have addressed the sewer odor problem in about five minutes and with a cost of essentially pocket change.  They could have poured about a gallon of water down the drain, to help fill the trap, followed with 3 to 6 ounces of EverPrime drain trap liquid, depending on the size of the drain.  As long as no additional water is poured down the drain, EverPrime can last indefinitely, keeping the trap filled and blocking sewer odors.  And even if water is poured down the drain, just add a few ounces of EverPrime drain trap liquid, and the sewer odor blocking power of EverPrime starts all over again.

Using Everprime drain trap liquid is fast, easy, inexpensive, and effective.  For more information, contact a Waterless Co. representative.

Is a Waterless Urinal System Right for Your Organization?

Original plumbing codes always insisted that a urinal be flushed with water. When the waterless urinal system was first introduced in 1991, builders and plumbers needed to adapt to new methods of thinking, as there will be less water used to flush fixture or none at all for urinals. With our cutting-edge waterless solutions, there is no need to modify your plumbing; our urinals will fit on like traditional fixtures but no more water supply line. There are great cost savings to be had both during installation and from the ongoing operation of using our waterless urinal system.

Saving Money for Your Organization

When you compare traditional urinals with our proven waterless urinal system, there are many cost savings to be measured.

During a new-build installation, there are savings to be made by not needing to install water supply piping and flush valves to each urinal.

Over time, the biggest saving will be the complete reduction of water used to flush a conventional system. Apart from the savings in dollars, there are further savings for the environment because water is not being wasted and fewer liquids are being sent to a water treatment plant.

Overflow due to a blockage cannot occur with waterless urinal systems, and therefore, maintenance costs are vastly reduced. Your organization will also save by not needing to purchase deodorizers to mask foul odors.

In the conventional flushed urinal system, water used to transport urine out of the bowl could often over time block up the drain line because of a buildup of lime scale from hard water. This is vastly less an issue with waterless urinals.

During cold weather, some plumbing systems need to be protected against the water freezing, causing cracked pipes. This is no longer an obligation with this modern technology as no water is present in the system.

For public areas, there are fewer targets for vandals to attack, as removing and breaking water pipes to flood a restroom is no longer possible.

Waterless Inc. has operated for over a quarter century with the founder being the original inventor of waterless urinal systems. For a new build and design, it is easy to install a waterless urinal system, and it is straightforward to replace your current system with our technology to reduce your water bill, and plumbing problems.  Contact us today: (800) 244-6364.

Flies: How to Keep Your School a No Fly Zone

Ever wonder where flies go in the winter?  Well, they don’t pack up and move to Florida.  What they do is adjust to the seasons and when it gets cold outside, they go inside places like your school, where it is nice and warm. 

It’s true we do not see them as frequently. They tend to cluster during the winter months, probably to keep warm. When the warmer weather arrives, that’s when they become more independent and we find them flying inside and outside.

Even though they are not as noticeable in the winter months, they can become a nuisance and a serious nuisance at that.  According to Greg Baumann, Vice President of Training and Technical Services for Orkin Pest Control, “flies can transmit pathogenic microorganisms that cause E. coli, salmonella and shingles. To make matters worse, a 2010 study by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences documented five more bacteria species carried by common house flies that were not previously linked to the pest. These diseases can cause food poisoning or respiratory infections in humans.”

So how do we keep them from living in your school and especially out from areas such as cafeterias and kitchens. Give these suggestions a try:

You can blow them out. 
If you have ever walked into a store and felt a blast of air blowing down directly to the floor, it usually is doing two things.  It is helping to keep outside air – hot or cold -  from coming inside and it is helping to keep flying insects out.  Essentially, it sets up a boundary line that flies cannot cross.

Install another set of doors.
In some parts of the U.S. where flying insects of all kinds are a problem, having two sets of doors at all entries seems to keep most insects from “crossing the line,” so to speak, and entering the building.

Keep food odors down.
As you can imagine, food odors attract flies. To keep odors to a minimum in cafeteria and kitchen areas, line all garbage cans with trash liners and regularly clean the garbage can with a cleaner and disinfectant.  Simply “hosing down” the garbage can will not remove the odors that attract flies. Make sure all trash cans in the kitchen and in the cafeteria are covered and clean cafeteria tables frequently.

Clean up spills.
All types of spills, even if it is just tap water, must be cleaned up quickly.  If you have ever noticed, flies often try to reach our mouths or eyes.  They know that’s where the moisture is.  But if that is not possible, then they look for moisture on just about any type of surface.

Pay attention to floor drains.
This is an area that is often overlooked. Two things can happen to floor drains, causing them to release odors and attract flies.  The first is they begin to clog up, typically due to food or contaminants collecting in the drain.  If water begins to build up, it becomes a perfect place for flies to lay their eggs. Either way, flies love clogged drains. So be sure and unclog drains as soon as you see a problem materializing.

But the other reason is not so apparent. When schools are closed for a few days or longer, floor drains can dry out.  When this happens, sewer odors are released and this also attracts flies…a lot.  In fact, flies like floor drains so much there is actually an entire specifies of flies called “floor drain” flies. (They may also be called moth flies, sewer flies, or filter flies). These flies typically breed around floor drains, which make this a growing problem.

The best way to prevent sewer odors and keep drain flies out of your school is to use a product such as .  Surprisingly inexpensive yet very effective, EverPrime can keep drains from drying out for many months. Cold or hot temperatures have no impact on EverPrime so it is a year-round defense against this problem.

It’s tough to keep flies completely out of schools, but these steps and using EverPrime, can help you stay on top of the struggle and help turn your school into a No Fly Zone.

RESTROOM WATER CONSUMPTION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Commercial facilities' water usage depends on a variety of factors, including the building's age, local climate, and its specific use. For example, an office with a cafeteria and kitchen will likely use more water than one without. Similarly, the type and age of HVAC systems can significantly impact a property's water consumption.

The Restroom: A Key Focus for Water Efficiency

Despite these variables, the U.S. Department of Energy reports that restrooms are the largest water consumers in nearly all commercial settings. In fact, toilets, sinks, and urinals account for about 60% of all water used in a commercial facility. This makes the restroom the ideal place to start for building owners and managers who want to improve water efficiency and lower costs.

It's important to distinguish between water efficiency and water conservation.

• Water conservation is a temporary reduction in water usage, often in response to a water shortage. For instance, a city might ask residents to limit outdoor watering during a drought. Once the shortage ends, these restrictions are usually lifted.

• Water efficiency, on the other hand, is a long-term strategy for reducing water consumption regardless of current water conditions. This involves installing systems and fixtures that meet the same needs as conventional ones but use less water over time.

By implementing water efficiency measures, building owners can achieve a measurable return on investment (ROI). This can be calculated by comparing previous spending on water and related operational costs with new, lower costs. The ROI for new equipment and fixtures can be substantial, as it includes savings from reduced water, sewer, energy, and maintenance costs over the lifetime of the project.

Key Steps to Improve Water Efficiency

Here are some effective steps commercial facilities can take to become more water-efficient:

• Toilets: Replace older toilets with models that meet or exceed plumbing codes, using 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf). Consider high-efficiency or dual-flush toilets that use even less water.

• Faucets: Install low-flow aerators on faucets to reduce water flow from approximately 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm) to as little as 0.5 gpm.

• Urinals: Upgrade to newer, low-flow urinals that use 1.0 gpf or less. For maximum savings, consider installing waterless urinals. A Rand Corporation study found that these can lead to significant savings from reduced maintenance costs in addition to saving water.

• Alternative Water Sources: Explore greywater distribution systems. This non-potable water, collected from sinks and showers, can be reused for flushing toilets and urinals, and in some cases, for landscape irrigation.

• Leak Detection: Implement a formal leak detection program. Regular checks of all fixtures and plumbing connections can prevent the loss of thousands of gallons of water each year. Leaks are often only fixed when they become obvious, but a proactive program can catch and fix them early.

The Power of Tracking Water Usage

Before making any changes, the first and most crucial step is to understand where your facility is using water. Installing sub-meters in different areas—such as restrooms, kitchens, or different floors—and tracking consumption can reveal inconsistencies and problem areas.

For instance, if one section of a building uses significantly more water than another, is it due to fewer occupants, or could there be hidden plumbing leaks or outdated fixtures? Tracking this data allows building engineers to quickly pinpoint and address these issues, helping owners and managers prioritize which areas to upgrade first to maximize savings.

By investing in water efficiency, building owners and managers not only save money but also position themselves as leaders in their communities, making a positive impact on reducing water consumption.

Klaus Reichardt is a frequent speaker and author on water conservation and water efficiency issues. He is the founder and CEO of Waterless Co. Inc, makers of no-water urinal systems and other restroom products.