The Most Water Efficient Model T Showroom in Town

With little fanfare, Detroit has been changing and changing fast. Most everyone agrees it is on the rebound and as an example of what’s happening, many point to the city’s Midtown Green Garage.

The former Model T showroom, built in 1920 during a boom time in Detroit, has been converted into office and workshop space for Green businesses in the Detroit area.

Renovation started more than nine years ago under the leadership of the building owners, Tom and Peggy Brennan. “We are committed to historic renovation, Green businesses, the triple bottom line, and Green building practices,” according to the Brennan’s. “Today, we have more than 50 small businesses as tenants along with nonprofit organizations and independent professionals that call the Midtown Green Garage their business home.”

When the Brennans took over the building, the first thing they did is redesign it to be as green as possible.  “We took advantage of passive design principles that, for instance, use sunlight to keep the building light without turning on electric lights.  We also installed solar thermal heating panels, and [did] extensive repurposing of materials in the construction.” 

As a result, the facility now uses about a tenth of the energy of a traditional, comparable office building, a tenth of the water, and generates a tenth of the waste.

While the building is more than a century old, the owners also went out of their way to ensure it meets all the needs of a state-of-the-art, 21st century office facility. Along with super fast Wi-Fi, the building includes a variety of electronic office technologies that cater to today’s business needs.

Because the Brennan’s mentioned they managed to cut water consumption to a tenth of what a comparable building would use, we wanted to know how this was accomplished.  Among the steps taken were to plant native vegetation around the structure. This strategy typically results in reduced water consumption.

In the restrooms, only highly efficient fixtures were installed. This includes toilets and faucets. However, they went a step further when it came to the urinals. The Brennan’s decided to install no-water urinals, manufactured by Waterless Co., Inc. As the name implies, these urinals use no water at all.

“It’s not surprising they were able to reduce water consumption so dramatically,” says Klaus Reichardt, CEO, and Founder of Waterless Co., Inc. “Just one waterless urinal can reduce water consumption by as much as 35,000 gallons of water per year. This can have a dramatic impact [on water consumption] in a mid-sized building such as this.”

Further, because of what is called the energy/water nexus, this can also help reduce energy costs. We must always remember that it takes energy to deliver, remove, treat, and store water. Using less water invariably translates into reducing operating costs.

“As we enter our 9th year in business, we are so proud of what we have accomplished,” says Tom Brennan. “We have created a vibrant business community that shares our values, is helping our local community, and making the new Detroit a better and healthier city to live in.” 

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Klaus Reichardt is CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc, Vista, Calif.  Reichardt founded the company in 1991 with the goal of establishing a new market segment in the plumbing fixture industry with water efficiency in mind. Reichardt is a frequent writer and presenter, discussing water conservation issues.  He can be reached at klaus@waterless.com.

Study Examines Preferences for Waterless Urinals

Vista, CA - Recent studies have indicated that the market for no-water or waterless urinals is expected to grow considerably during the next ten years. However, what these reports do not indicate is why the market for these products will be increasing.

To address this, Transparency Market Research, a global market intelligence company, recently suggested that one of the key reasons is greater awareness of these products.

“In developing countries, especially in Asia and India, the technology is still relatively new,” says Klaus Reichardt, CEO, and founder of Waterless Co., Inc. “In recent years, an alarming scarcity of water [in these areas] means that no-water urinals are now in high demand.”

However, the Transparency Market Research report found that in addition to saving water, and addressing water challenges around the globe, there are other reasons for the growing interest in waterless urinals:

• The products, now made by several manufacturers, are environmentally friendly.

• Codes and regulations that did not permit the installation of no-water urinals are being eliminated in many parts of the world

• Facilities seeking LEED certification, “such as stadiums, public transits, academic campuses, and malls,” are selecting them to help earn necessary water credits. 

• Water, sewer and maintenance costs are going up around the world, as is the price for water.

• Switching to waterless urinals helps water utility companies reduce power needs (electrical energy is used to deliver, remove, and treat water). 

• Building owners and managers are adopting them because it shows tenants and future tenants what steps they are taking to promote sustainability.

• Several governments around the globe are adopting “stringent rules” requiring facilities to reduce water usage.

“We should add there is an elementary, psychological factor as well,” says Reichardt. “When we first introduced them thirty years ago, men did not know what they were or how to use them. That’s all gone now. Waterless urinals are commonplace in many parts of the world.”

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 company was started in 1991 and 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 restroom accessories. For more info, email us at info@waterless.com or visit: www.waterless.com 

Flushing Toilets is Now Against the Law

Most of us are aware of the problems Cape Town, South Africa, was grappling with last year. For weeks on end, residents were unsure if they would have any water the next day. If not, that would mean they had reached “Day Zero.”

This was possibly the first time in history that such a large city, with nearly four million residents, inched toward totally being without water for drinking, irrigation, bathing, and, we must add, toilet flushing.

Why must we add “toilet flushing?” To point out that just because Cape Town escaped Day Zero, that does not mean that other parts of Africa are not suffering from drought. In fact, in some areas of Africa, people can no longer flush their toilets without being fined.

Photo by Andrea Davis on Unsplash

For instance, in Bulawayo, the second-largest city in Zimbabwe with more than 700,000 residents, people can only flush them once per week. Residents gather around their toilets at 8 p.m. each Monday to perform what is called the Big Flush. That’s the only day they can flush their toilets.

Right now, and receiving very little attention, more than 45 million people in Africa face what the United Nations calls a “water and food crisis.” Corn harvests have been ravaged. Many people now live on wild plants and roots. In Namibia, it is estimated that 30,000 cows have died due to the drought, along with some 200 elephants.

The causes of climate change, we will not discuss here. But experts, including U.N. representatives, report climate change is the cause.  Further, some of these “are developing countries that can least afford the consequences” of climate change, according to Zambian President Edgar Lungu.

However, there is more than just climate change at play here in Africa. Growing populations have accelerated deforestation. The forests acted like giant sponges, absorbing carbon dioxide and heat-trapping gasses. Because they are gone, some of the fasted growing regions of Africa are now experiencing the hottest summers on record.

Further, when it comes to water, it is either feast or famine. While some areas are receiving the lowest rainfall since 1981, others are experiencing floods, some of the worst on record.

However, steps are being taken to address the situation. Agriculture is changing. More drought-resistant plants are being planted. Ways for harvesting water are being developed.  This way, countries can store water that can be used for human consumption, irrigation, or flushing toilets. Further, many of these countries have groundwater resources, which are not being accessed.

All of this means that in many ways, Africa is becoming one of the world’s leading “water testing grounds.” Scientists and engineers from all over the world are looking into a variety of technologies that can reduce water consumption now and into the future. For instance, we already have waterless urinals replacing traditional urinals all over the world.  Waterless toilets may be the next step.

If there is one thing we have learned about droughts and other water-related problems, many of them are challenges just waiting to be uncovered.

For more information on how to reduce water consumption and use water more efficiently, contact a Waterless Co Specialist

Report Indicates Growth of No-Water Urinal Installations Worldwide

A November 2019 study indicates that the global market for no-water/waterless urinals is expected to expand by eight percent in the next eight years.  

The research was conducted by Transparency Market Research (TMR), an analytics, research, and advisory service for Fortune 500 companies.

The reasons given for the growth rate, according to TMR, include the following: 

• Rising concerns about public hygiene (waterless urinals do not need to be touched, making them more hygienic)

• Growing industrialization in developing countries

• New innovations and technologies in the waterless urinal industry

• Updated and more attractive designs.

Another reason given is that no-water urinals are a "more appropriate option for the promotion of public urinals."

This references the fact that waterless urinals do not need to be plumbed to release water, reducing installation needs, costs, and requirements considerably.

"Of course, the big driver for the selection of no-water urinals is worldwide water concerns," says Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of Waterless Co., Inc.

"Population and business growth, [for instance], in parts of Asia cannot keep up with the demand for water. They need technologies like waterless urinals to help reduce their growing water appetite."

The research also indicated that the commercial sectors that will most likely be selecting no-water urinals in the future include the healthcare industry, hospitality (both hotels and restaurants), industrial locations, offices, schools, and shopping complexes.

It was also reported that the installation of waterless urinals would grow in the residential sector, especially in the U.S. This is fueled by the likely increase in residential construction in the U.S. as well as the development of residential properties that are greener and more sustainability-focused.

"There has been interest in waterless urinals for the home for more than a decade," says Reichardt. "It seems to go up and down; however, in the past few years, the direction has been steadily pointing upward."

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 nearly 30 year-old company is the oldest manufacturer of waterless urinals in North America. The company offers a full line of Waterless No-Flush urinals, cleaning liquids, and cost saving accessories. Visit: www.waterless.com 

Chico University Reduces Water Consumption

Chico State University is the second oldest university that makes up the California college system and is in one of the driest areas of the state. In the past few years, they have taken several steps to respond to ongoing California’s drought by finding innovative ways to cut back on water use.

Facility managers have found that updating restroom fixtures is key to conserving water. “This includes replacing older faucet aerators with new ones that use only half the amount of water,” says Bob Francis, Lead Plumber for Facilities Management and Services at Chico State.

The university is also replacing old toilets and urinals to reduce water consumption. New toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush, compared to the older ones, which used as much as 4.5 gallons per flush.

Old urinals used a gallon of water or more, but newer ones being installed at Chico use only one pint of water or, taking water efficiency a step further, are completely waterless.

It is now widely reported that no-water or waterless urinals can save as much as 35,000 gallons of water per year, per urinal. As you can imagine, in a college setting such as Chico State University, this can mean millions of gallons are being saved every year…exactly what the university was trying to accomplish.

As to the no-water urinals specifically, the university selected waterless urinals manufactured by Waterless Co. Inc. Waterless Co. is the oldest and one of the largest manufacturers of waterless urinals in the U.S. The company’s products can be found in many public facilities, such as schools and other universities, as well as hotels, office buildings, even in homes, where urinals in general are gaining greater popularity.

Outside the restrooms, the university has found another way to conserve water: by making major changes to how it irrigates landscaped areas. Older spray heads have been replaced with more efficient rotating heads that deliver a much smaller amount of water. A smart irrigation system measures evaporation, humidity, and temperature and sets watering times automatically. This ensures irrigation is performed only when needed; for example, if it is raining, the system turns itself off completely.

“This is a reflection of some very effective steps all kinds of facilities can take to help reduce water consumption,” says Klaus Reichardt of Waterless Co. “It’s in restrooms and landscaped areas where most facilities’ consume most of their water and those are the two areas we must target.”

For more information on how to reduce water consumption, waterless urinals, and to use water more efficiently, contact a Waterless Co Specialist

New Stadium Is a Trailblazer When It Comes to Water

The new Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta has been referred to as a trailblazer for a number of reasons and one of them involves how they have managed to reduce water consumption. They are leading the way for large sports facilities around the world, showing them just how much can be done to use water more efficiently and responsibly.

Photo by Christopher Alvarenga on Unsplash

Among the several water-reducing strategies the stadium has implemented are the following:

• Installing high-efficiency toilets that use less water than those required by government regulations; 

• Xeriscaping green space, including planting drought-resistant plants; 

• Selecting mechanicals, such as boilers and HVAC systems, which use water more efficiently than comparable systems; and

• Installing a 680,000-gal cistern to collect rainwater, which then can be used for cooling the facility or irrigation.

Steps also were taken to address a water-related problem in west Atlanta, where Mercedes-Benz Stadium is located. Initiatives were employed to reduce water drainage, which historically contributed to flooding in the area. 

“We did this for many reasons,” said Scott Jenkins, general manager of the stadium. “Paramount was our goal not only to be a good neighbor, but improve the quality of life for people living on the west side of Atlanta.”

While these water saving initiatives have helped reduce water consumption, the installation of waterless, otherwise known as no-water, urinals has proven to be one of the most effective water saving initiatives.

One traditional urinal can consume more than 35,000 gal of water per year. It is hard to count how many urinals are in the average sports venue in the U.S., much less determine how much water they consume because many stadiums use trough urinals. These urinals can accommodate three to six users at one time. Further, some stadiums have installed a combination of traditional urinals and trough systems. However, whatever the situation, the amount of water used can be millions of gallons. One of the most effective ways to reduce those numbers is to install no-water urinals.

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