Why You Don’t Want to See a Red Sticker on Your Water Bill

In an earlier blog, we discussed some of the obstacles the small town of Belen, Costa Rica was encountering in its efforts to change behaviors when it comes to reducing water consumption.  In that blog, we discussed that while most people in Belen knew they should be scaling back on their water use, all too many believed it was someone else’s problem, not theirs.  Further, all too many had no idea of how much water they were using each month.

However, we also said this small town was able to overcome these issues.  Here are some of the steps they took:

Some water bills were mailed to Belen residents with a bright-red sticker on the envelope. Not only was there a bright-red sticker, the sticker also had a “frowning face.”  When a customer received water bills like this, they knew right away, they were using too much water in comparison to their neighbors. And guess what, now the post person knew too. 

Instead of red stickers, some consumers received water bills with bright-green stickers and a “smiley face.”  Well, as you might assume, these consumers were being rewarded.  They were using far less water than their neighbors.

Inside all bills was neighborhood water comparison information, so consumers had a better idea of how much water everyone in their neighborhoods used and how they compared. 

Some water bills did not have neighbor comparisons.  Instead, they compared each resident with all the residents in the town of Belen.

Finally, in all water bills was a postcard with a worksheet on one side. The worksheet used the numbers above and allowed each consumer to check one or more of six things they planned to do before their next water bill to reduce consumption.

Photo by Shridhar Vashistha on Unsplash

For instance, they could check:

·        Turn off the tap when brushing teeth.

·        Water the lawn less

·        Check for leaks.

The postcards were then mailed back to the water department and returned with their next bill, so consumers could see how well they did in reducing consumption.  This was also an opportunity for residents to set water reduction goals.

The results of this program proved surprisingly effective:

·        A control group was established that did not receive a red or a green stickered water bill, nor did they have information comparing consumption with neighbors, the town, or have a postcard.  There was a minor reduction in water consumption in this group, but not much.

·        Those consumers that received red stickers comparing their consumption with their neighbors, reduced water consumption by about 1.5 percent.

·        Consumers that were told how their water consumption compared to the entire town, reduced consumption about one percent.

·        Finally, those consumers that filled out the postcard and set water-reducing goals, reduced consumption by almost 2 percent, the most substantial amount.

The researchers concluded, “we find that giving individuals feedback on their [water reducing] outcomes, relative to that of their peers, has measurable effects on water consumption. We also find that a Plan-Making intervention [referring to the post cards] prompts people to set their own goals for water conservation… helps them achieve these goals.”

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

COVID-19 and Water Entrepreneurs

When we introduced waterless urinals to the North American market 30 years ago, it certainly was not what you would call a high-technology product. It was in many ways a simple system. It just took a little ingenuity and the result was urinals that could save billions of gallons of water per year.

True, it was introduced at a time when many economies around the world were in a recession. The Gulf War had put many things on hold at that time. But that recession was not terribly severe, nor did it last very long.

The situation is different now. 

Will economies around the world go into recession? Most likely, many already have. What we do not know now, no matter what the “experts” might be saying, is how bad and how long this recession will be.

For those of us in the water industry—specifically, those entrepreneurs working to develop new, high-tech water-related technologies—we must ask, how will a worldwide recession impact these new technologies and the entrepreneurs developing them?

To address this, we must focus on the short-term, medium-term, and long-term impacts of both world economies and COVID-19.

Short Term

In the short term, there is good news and not so good news.

Some of the challenges include the fact that many public and private water utility companies are already stretched financially. Many are open to new technologies that can help them improve water infrastructure and efficiency. However, due to COVID-19, they are reluctant to invest in new technologies and have become exceedingly careful with their funding. 

Further, some are understaffed. Although there is no evidence, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that COVID-19 can spread or has been detected in drinking water, most water utilities are asking their staff to stay home if they suspect they may have the virus. This just adds to the stress some water utility companies are grappling with.

For many water entrepreneurs, the unfortunate result is that if they have developed a new water-related technology, they may not have any buyers at this time. Adding a second whammy, for those entrepreneurs still developing technologies, securing seed money from investors may be even harder than it traditionally has been.

However, there is good news. Some of those water utilities that have now become extraordinarily cautious with their funds may be taking a closer look at how they are spending money, searching for ways to reduce waste and expenditures.

Photo by mrjn Photography on Unsplash

Further, the public has realized the importance of clean, treated water. This water is helping us contain the virus and stop it from spreading. In other words, instead of taking clean water for granted as happens in so many parts of the world, the public now realizes water is helping keep them safe and healthy.

Medium Term

Governments around the globe are taking several steps to help us through this recession, shorten it, and come out stronger on the other end. One way they are doing this is by providing loans to private and public entities, including water utility companies. In many cases, these will be the least expensive loans in history. Further, some loans will not need to be paid back at all if borrowers meet specific guidelines in the loan agreements.

The immediate goal of these loans is to help keep businesses afloat and keep people employed. But they are also helping water utility companies address various infrastructure problems today, which they assumed could not be tended to for several years in the future. Essentially, these are long-term investments, much of which will help eliminate water waste by billions of gallons each year.

As for getting people back to work, these loans may help utility companies offer more competitive salaries and benefits, attracting talented people, possibly even the entrepreneurs we mentioned earlier. In the past, these skilled workers avoided utility companies because the wages and benefits of private companies and corporations were higher and hard to overlook. That may change now.

Long Term

In some parts of the world, along with hoarding toilet paper, many consumers were hoarding bottled water when they first learned COVID-19 may be coming to their communities. Invariably, it was unnecessary. But once again, it tells us that consumers now realize the value of potable water—many for the first time. 

Indeed, the recent shutdowns have prompted people to recognize the importance of reliable sources of clean, potable water, when they need it and where they need it. And because consumers have learned to value water so much more, encouraging them to avoid wasting water and to use it more efficiently should be easier than it has been in the past.

As for our water entrepreneurs, my best advice is not to give up. Hang in there. We should see funding and confidence in world economies improve over the next few months. 

In the meantime, do what you can to define refine your technologies and demonstrate their features and benefits.

Astute financial investors are typically ahead of the curve. When they saw the possibilities of waterless urinals, many wanted to be at the front of the line, investing in this technology. The same will be true for water-related technologies still under development. Make sure you are ready to demonstrate the possibilities of your products when these investors come knocking.

Concerns Mount about Dry Floor Drains Spreading COVID-19

The Lancet, the U.Ks. most respected medical journal,  has  reported concerns that COVID-19 can spread via plumbing systems in both homes and commercial facilities.*

"By [their] very design, plumbing systems are a harbinger of pathogenic microorganisms which, under some circumstances, have the potential to enable airborne transmission of viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), which [also] causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19)."

The primary way this happens, according to Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of Waterless Co., Inc. "is that contaminated air drifts up drainpipes carrying droplets of the virus.

This has become more of an issue recently because so many buildings have been closed for more than 30 days. 

"What happens is the P-traps under drains evaporates. When it does, this opens the door for odors, insects, and fumes to be released into the facility."

The problem is exacerbated in some commercial building restrooms, because HVAC systems are designed to extract air from the restroom. 

"This draws contaminated air into the room," which is inhaled by restroom users, according to the Lancet report.

To help address this problem, the report suggests the following:

·      Do not ignore unexplained foul odors in buildings.

·      Open the tap on all water-using fixtures "at least five times a day, paying special attention to floor drains."

·      If a drain or a wastewater pipe appears to be disconnected or cracked, seal it immediately.

·      Regularly inspect drains and pipes used to remove wastewater.

With so many buildings closed, having someone pour water into all water-using fixtures, five times a day, may not be possible. Nor is it necessary, adds Reichardt. "A few ounces of an 'every prime' sealant will replenish the water in P-traps, and should last for months."

Most important, The Lancet report concludes, to help us fight this disease, we must realize there is “the potential for airborne transmission of the virus [through] plumbing systems,” acknowledging it as “a potential transmission pathway for COVID-19."

* "COVID-19: mitigating transmission via wastewater plumbing systems," by Michael Gormley, Thomas J Aspray, and David A Kelly, The Lancet, March 23, 2020

Why We Need to Pay Attention to Drains During the COVID-19 Pandemic

One of the things we learned from the SARS epidemic that began in 2002, is that many people in Hong Kong contracted the SARS virus by inhaling contaminated air.

This air was released from drainage pipes of a large apartment complex in the city.

What happened was the water in the P-shaped traps below drains dried up.  When that happened, sewer gasses containing the germs that cause SARS were released into the building and were inhaled.

We are learning now that COVID-19 is also being spread through the fecal-oral route.  This was pointed out by research conducted by Hong Shan, MD, Ph.D., of the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, at Sun Yat-Sen University, in Zhuhai, China.  This is one of China’s preeminent research hospitals.

This means that waste containing COVID-19 germs is ending up in sewer systems around the globe.  However, there is even more concern about this happening with COVID-19.

The reason:  Many commercial facilities are now closed. When they will open again is uncertain, which means the P-traps may, and likely will evaporate, releasing vapors that can spread the virus. 

So, what can building owners and managers do to help prevent this evaporation?

According to Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of Waterless CO., Inc, manufacturers of no-water urinals, among the steps they can take are the following:

·      Ensure all commercial kitchens and restrooms remain well-ventilated during the pandemic.

·      If possible, have building engineers wearing PPE gear* pour a small amount of water in every building drain every week.

·      Do not use bleach or any chemicals.  “Our goal is not to clean the drains, just keep the P-trap full, so no sewer gasses are released.”

·      Pour liquid primers or “ever prime,” as they are called among professional plumbers, into all drains. “This only has to be performed once. The ever prime lasts for months and under all kinds of climate conditions.”

Finally, before re-opening facilities, Reichardt advices, “it would be a good idea to pour water or the liquid primer in all drains once again, just to be on the safe side.”

###

*Personal protection gear

Waterless Urinals: A Conservation Practice Widely Accepted

While waterless urinals are certainly not new—having been available in the United States for nearly 30 years—hotel owners and managers often have several questions about these urinals before selecting them, according to Klaus Reichardt, whose company introduced waterless urinals to the United States three decades ago. Among them are the following:

How do they work? All the systems work primarily the same way. Urine flows down the bowl past a cylinder placed at the bottom of the urinal. This serves as a strainer, catching debris, but also allows urine to flow under the cylinder and past a sealing liquid. This oil-based liquid prevents odors from being released into the restroom.

If they all operate the same, are they all the same? No. The critical difference is in the cylinders just referenced. Some cylinders are more costly than others, while others last longer than others (based on usage). This can play a role in the return on their investment. “It is essential that owners/managers thoroughly investigate the different no-water urinal technologies before making a purchasing decision,” Reichardt says.

To Read more from Robert Kravtiz, click here to visit GreenLodgingNews.com.

Product Availability from Waterless Co., Inc.

Because of coronavirus, many of our customers - commercial and government - have contacted us regarding product availability. This is a reasonable concern because the global supply chain has been broken in many parts of the world, causing serious product delays.

Currently, all of our products are available. This includes urinals, our EcoTrap® systems, as well as the many liquids and related products we sell. These products are stored in our warehouses in California, and we do not anticipate any shipment delays or inventory shortages.

We will keep you posted should there be any changes. We are monitoring our supply chain and inventories far more closely now than ever before. If it appears a shortage may develop, we will do everything we can to rectify the situation as quickly as possible as well as keep all our customers informed.

While our primary concern is that everyone stays healthy, we also want you to know that you can count on Waterless Co., to have the products you need when you need them.

Klaus Reichardt, CEO, and Founder, Waterless Co., Inc.

So Why are You Installing Water-Using Urinals?

When building restrooms are being renovated, we see many managers and their architects select water-using urinals more out of habit than anything else.  Very often, the urinals selected are not even given much consideration.  Because urinals are often treated as a commodity, the only consideration is cost – meaning the lowest priced urinals are the ones selected.

We are encouraging managers to think outside the box and consider installing waterless urinals. Here are some reasons why.

They don’t need water.  Urine is 95 percent water.  It flows down on its own in the urinal due to gravity.  No extra water is needed to force it down the drain.

They don’t cause odors.  The odor we often find in restrooms is caused by ammonia. What causes this odor?  It’s caused when water is mixed with urine. So, no mixing with water means no odors.

Flush avoidance is becoming commonplace. Many men do not like to flush urinals because they don’t want to touch the flush handle.  But that just leaves an unsanitary mess for everyone else.  Again, waterless urinals have no flush handles and leave no unsanitary mess.

Electronic flush devices.  These devices have helped address this situation, however, most of these are battery operated.  In a busy restroom, this means the battery will likely have to be changed as often as once per month.  Plus, many electronic flush urinals waste a lot of water. Phantom flushes are common, in which the urinals flush on their own when no one is present.

Hard water. Some areas of the country have “hard water.” The problem with hard water in urinals is that it can leave sediment deposits on the sides of the urinal.  The more this builds up, the harder it is to remove. Plus, this build-up can impact drainage lines, which can require servicing by a plumber.

Cost of ownership. The true costs of flush urinals often happen after they are installed.  The flush handles we just mentioned, whether manual or battery-operated, frequently need servicing. Sometimes the only option is to replace them, and these tend to be very costly devices.  Further, the thousands of gallons of water each urinal uses each year is costly, adding to operating budgets.

Good stewards. Finally, installing waterless urinals indicates your facility is sustainability focused.  Many facilities install no-water urinals for the sole purpose of earning LEED certification.  That’s how important they are when it comes to sustainability.  Plus, installing waterless urinals shows you are doing your part to be a responsible world citizen.  We must all work together now to use natural resources as efficiently as possible.