From Grainger: Thougths About Waterless Urinals

Waterless urinals have grown in popularity in recent decades, especially as more businesses, facilities, and individuals continue to look for more ways to cut their budgets and go green. Installing waterless urinals in office buildings, industrial facilities and highly trafficked public places can offer several advantages. 

Efficiency. According to the EPA, a typical office building that replaces its fixtures with highly efficient waterless urinals can save 26,000 gallons of water per year or more. Further, they can enjoy:

Cleaner air. Conventional toilets and urinals contain water that can harbor disease-causing bacteria to be released into the air and onto surfaces when flushed.Waterless urinals, on the other hand, have no flushing action and are designed to dry out between uses, so they can't release contamination in this way.

Hand hygiene. With no handles or buttons, waterless urinals are entirely touch-free, helping reduce the opportunity for cross-contamination.

More predictable maintenance. Waterless urinals require regular maintenance—changing cartridges or topping up the sealant at specific intervals, for example. However, the lack of a flush valve and the rarity of clogs and overflow can simplify maintenance tasks.

Things to Consider Before Installing Waterless Urinals

When planning a waterless urinal installation, there are several things to keep in mind, including cleaning procedures, rebate opportunities and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Retrofitting and ADA Compliance

No-flush urinals can be installed virtually anywhere a conventional variety would be used. However, if you're retrofitting an older facility, it's also worth keeping in mind that in restrooms with two or more urinals, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires at least one to have a rim no higher than 17 inches from the ground.

Connecting a Waterless Urinal

Although waterless urinals don't use water to flush, they still require a drain connection. Waterless urinals usually fit standard 2-inch drainage lines or can be adapted to fit 1.5-inch lines. However, FacilitiesNet recommends not installing waterless urinals if the building's drain and vent system uses copper pipes.

Without the dilution of flushing water, concentrated urine can react with copper, leading to pitting and corrosion. Checking that drain lines comply with plumbing code standards and slope enough to push waste through without water flushing is also recommended. Manufacturers also typically recommend that waterless urinals not be installed on unvented (not to code) drain lines, and it's important to snake the drain line to eliminate any clogs before installation.

Cartridge Life and Cost

When choosing a waterless urinal, you may want to check for details on cartridge life, cost and compatibility. Although the maintenance procedures are similar on most waterless urinals, the cost of the replacement parts can vary. 

Maintenance and Cleaning

Before installing waterless urinals throughout a facility, it's a good idea to train cleaning personnel on proper maintenance techniques. Generally, the interior and the exterior areas of the waterless urinal can be cleaned and disinfected using a spray cleaner and cleaning cloth. Some manufacturers have developed their own cleaning products designed to be used specifically with waterless units.

Manufacturers advise against any cleaning process that uses a large amount of water, because this can disrupt the liquid seal in the cartridge and lead to clogs in the drain line.

Rebates and Local Incentives

Learn more on the Grainger Website

Sealants, Traps, and Cartridges – Oh, My

At first glance, most no-water urinals look exactly like traditional, water-using urinals. However, a closer inspection shows they have two significant differences.

First, a conventional urinal has a flush valve – manually operated or automatic – at the top of the urinal. Waterless urinals do not because, as the name implies, they do not use water.

The second difference is when we glance at the bottom of the urinal bowl, a regular urinal may have a urinal screen installed. A waterless urinal has a trap or cartridge. This is a critical component of a waterless urinal; something similar is found in almost all no-water urinals.  

The trap/cartridges are designed to keep sewer odors from being released into the restroom. However, because they play such an important role in ensuring the no-water urinal is operating properly, we should know a few more things about the trap/cartridges. For instance, it is filled with a sealant.  To explain what a sealant is and the many roles it plays, let’s dig a bit deeper.

What exactly is a sealant?

The sealant is an oily, biodegradable liquid, which is lighter than urine, so it floats in the cartridge.

Why do the traps/cartridges need to be filled with a sealant?

The sealant helps seal away trap odors. About three ounces is all that is needed and can last several months.

What is the actual trap/cartridges made of?

They are made of various plastics. Some are recyclable, some are not.

Are all the traps/cartridges the same in no-water urinals?

They may vary in design, but perform, in principle, the same task. Most do require the use of a sealant. NOTE: While the different traps/cartridges are similar in functionality, it is important to only use the trap/cartridges designed for your waterless urinal.

Do they have to be changed?

Yes, they do need to be changed. Equate the trap cartridge with an air filter. Over time, soil builds up and it can clog. Therefore, it needs to be changed. As to frequency, building owners and managers need to know that some traps need to be changed – the old trap removed, and the new trap installed - more frequently than others. It all depends on the trap’s design.

Making matters worse, the ones that need to be changed the most frequently tend to be the costliest. It’s easy to compare the lifespans. While the exact lifespan of the trap can vary, the manufacturer will likely suggest how often to change the trap. Also, compare cartridge costs as there are vast differences, which of course make a budget difference over time.

How do you replace them?

It’s easy and should take less than 10 minutes. 

Here are the five simple steps:

1.    For standard cleaning procedure, put on a pair of nylon or rubber gloves per OSHA regulations.

2.    Grab the tool that the manufacturer provided for removing the trap. 

3.    Use the tool to remove the trap. It may start dripping once removed, so have a trash bag or bucket handy.

4.    Install the new trap, add some water for the sealant to float on, and fill it with the recommended amount of sealant, about three ounces.

5.    If necessary, clean the area in the urinal where the trap was sitting.

Are there some troubleshooting things we should know about sealants, traps, and cartridges?

Urinal odors:  Add 3 oz of sealant into the trap/cartridges.

Debris in the trap/cartridges: Just remove it. Debris should not damage the trap/cartridges.

Water was poured down the trap: There should be no reason to ever pour water into the trap/cartridges. However, if water has been poured in, it possibly flushed the sealant out.  Add more sealant.

The urine is not draining through the trap cartridges:  This simply means the cartridge is full and needs to be exchanged.

Waterless Co., Inc is a pioneer in water efficiency. We are the go-to company when it comes to reducing water consumption, understanding the many benefits of waterless urinals, and finding ways to use water more efficiently.  For more information, contact a Waterless Co Specialist. 

Understanding the Difference Between Water Efficiency and Water Conservation

Video: Understanding the Difference Between Water Efficiency and Water Conservation.

These two terms are often used interchangeably, as if they mean the same thing.

In this short, two-minute video, Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of Waterless Company, Inc., clarifies the difference between these two terms.

How To Use a Public Restroom Safely in 2023

During the pandemic, we learned several good restroom habits that kept us healthy.

However, public health officials are concerned that many of these protective measures are now being tossed out the window.

“Even when restroom surfaces look clean, they may be little more than a Petri dish,” says Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of Waterless Co., Inc. marketers of no-water urinals. “With so many surfaces, counters, knobs, and handles in public restrooms, it’s hard not to come in contact with surface contaminants.”

Making matters worse, toilet and urinal plume – the releasing of germs and bacteria into the air when toilets or urinals are flushed –continually adds germs and bacteria on to surfaces. While not a concern when no-water urinals are installed, most all toilets release plumes.

To help protect ourselves, Reichardt suggests we do the following:

Cover your Hands

Don’t be shy about gathering a paper towel when you enter a public restroom. Use it to cover your hands, so you don’t touch any restroom surfaces or fixtures.

The Quicker, the Better

Be quick. Do what needs to be done, wash your hands, and be out the door as soon as possible. The longer you linger in a restroom, the more chances you encounter pathogens.

Wear a Mask

Wearing a mask in a public restroom is optional, but still a good idea. Not only is toilet plume a problem, but when people gather in public restrooms, they are more likely to sneeze and cough, potentially spreading germs.

Stay Off Your Phone

A Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease study found that mobile phones are a hotbed for bacteria, viruses, and fungi. One key reason: they are used while people are using the toilet. 1

Don’t Ditch the Paper Towel

Instead of tossing used paper towels, use them when you exit the restroom.

“Finally, see something, say something,” adds Reichardt. “If the restroom needs cleaning attention, tell someone in charge. What you are doing is helping to keep others healthy.”

###

1.    Mobile phones represent a pathway for microbial transmission: A scoping review

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 33-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 

Waterless Co. Inc.

1050 Joshua Way
Vista, CA 92081 USA
800.244.6364

sales@waterless.com

How Stuff Works Discusses Waterless Urinals

The following is based on an article in How Stuff Works by Matt Sailor. The author uses quotes throughout the article from Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc. 

Waterless urinals are growing in popularity because they help building owners and managers reduce water consumption, become more sustainability focused, and lower operating costs.

But how they work is often viewed as a mystery. Let’s put that mystery aside. Here is how they work:

• Waterless urinals are typically designed like traditional urinals.

• The urine flows down the urinal into a small cylinder – or trap – placed at the bottom of the urinal bowl.

• This trap serves many purposes, including blocking sewer odors from being released into the restroom. But for now, we want to focus on the trap temporarily holding the urine.

• Inside the trap is a sealant that is lighter than water. This is what prevents sewer odors from being released.

• As the urine accumulates in the trap and more men use the urinals, the urine flows into the drainage line below the urinal, just like a traditional urinal.

• The process allows the urine to drain naturally. No water is needed in the process – which is why they call them waterless urinals.

The history of waterless urinals dates to the late-1800s. They were first installed in major European cities in park areas and in sidewalk restrooms. However, it was not until 1991 that they were introduced in the United States. Waterless Co., Inc. introduced them, making Waterless Co. Inc. the first marketer of waterless urinals in North America.

How much water they save depends on what type of traditional urinal they are replacing. They often replace older urinals that consume as much as 3 gallons of water per flush (gpf). In such cases, the water savings are very significant.

However, today, they are also replacing newer urinals that use about 1 gpf or less.  Usually this happens because these facilities want to go a step further in reducing water consumption. But there is also a cost factor. Waterless urinals require less plumbing, reducing the time and money required to install them.

Now the big question: how much water can Waterless Urinals save?

We must answer: it all depends. In most cases, they can save as much as 20,000 to 35,000 gallons of water per urinal per year. If one office building has 50 waterless urinals installed, that amounts to 1 million to 1.75 million gallons of water per year.  

These estimates are based on a building with 50 or more men using the urinal at least three times per day.

What About Home Waterless Urinals?

Waterless urinals are also growing in popularity in homes and can save water and money there as well. One waterless urinal installed in a home can save about 3,250 gallons of water per year.

How much money this can save a homeowner varies. It depends on how much consumers are charged for water. However, some savings estimates range from about $250 per urinal to as much as $500 per urinal per year.

Finally, we must add that waterless urinals, like flushed urinals, do cost money to maintain and operate. However, operating costs are about 1/3 of operating a flushed urinal, especially because water and sewer rates keep increasing.

With a urinal from Waterless Co., the trap mentioned earlier can last three to six months, depending on use. These traps cost about $9 to replace. With no-water urinals from other manufacturers, the trap lasts only two to three months and, interestingly, can cost $25 or more.

This means due diligence is necessary when selecting waterless urinals. A little research gets increased water savings and greater cost savings as well.

Like to learn more? Contact us at info@waterless.com

The Case of the Zombie Forests

Something unusual — but expected — is happening to the conifer forests that blanket large parts of California’s Sierra Nevada. Conifer trees are large, evergreen trees such as spruce, sugar pine, and Douglas fir — all of which typically produce cones.

What’s happening, and why these areas are now being referred to as zombie forests, is that while the older, well-established trees remain strong, few young trees have been able to take root and grow. The climate is now too warm and too dry for them to survive.  This is true even though these areas are currently receiving large amounts of precipitation.

A climate mismatch has evolved, and scientists say that based on photographs and survey data, they’ve been expecting this for nearly a century. The situation has been gradually evolving since about the mid-1930s, long before talk of climate change. However, the growth of zombie forests has accelerated in the past two decades, primarily due to climate change.

Today, it is estimated that about 11 percent of the conifer forests are mismatched to their current climate conditions, with another 8 percent “severely” mismatched.

The big concern is what happens should there be a significant disturbance, such as a wildfire, logging disruptions, or mudslides, as is currently happening.

Historically, trees would grow back. Eventually, the forest would return.

But now, instead of trees, we can expect much smaller, shrub-like vegetation that can adapt to warmer and dryer climates.

If we take a broader look at this situation, we see that a mismatch of climate conditions is happening to not only these trees but virtually all living things. Polar bears, for instance, which have inhabited the same areas in the arctic for centuries, are now moving to higher ground to find food. The same movement to new locations is true with other forms of wildlife as well as marine life. The climate these animals initially thrived in is no longer the same, forcing them to literally find greener pastures.

However, even the older conifers that have managed to survive this climate mismatch may need help in the future. With warmer weather comes insects and diseases these trees have never encountered before. How well the trees survive these invasions are still being determined, but some are expected not to make it.

So, what’s the big picture here? Why are zombie forests in California important to all of us?

The first concern is that we may lose one of the main contributions trees make to our planet, absorbing carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases and releasing oxygen through the process of photosynthesis.

A typical mature tree can take in up to about 22 kilograms of CO2 from the atmosphere and convert it into oxygen as well as food, allowing other trees and vegetation in the forests to grow.

Trees also improve water quality in forested areas, slowing rainwater as it falls to the earth so that it can be more thoroughly absorbed. Without this buffer, the rainwater would cause runoff, soil erosion, floods, and pollution in rivers, lakes, and streams.

This would also negatively impact the water we drink. As U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “While most Americans live in urban areas, most of us depend on rural lands, particularly forest lands, for clean water and a healthy climate.”

One of the first things we can do is to start by installing the most water efficient plumbing fixtures possible, such as waterless urinals.  Further, whenever a waterless urinal is installed, it reminds restroom users that we must use water responsibly and efficiently.

Zombie forests are created by a planet that is becoming warmer and dryer.  Let’s view zombie forests and the installation of waterless urinals as one more heads-up that we need to protect our most precious resource now and for the future.

Aridification: Why Should You Care?

As this is being written, parts of California are still getting substantial rainfall. A blizzard is even forecasted for Southern California.

This is a historical event. The last time Southern California experienced blizzard conditions was in 1989.

California has experienced very unusual weather over the past two years. The last few months of December 2022 were extraordinary because the state received so much rainfall in such a fleeting period. And now a blizzard in an area of the country where the average year-round temperature is in the 60s and 70s?  Unthinkable.

What climate experts are saying is that this is another example of climate change impacting Southern California. Wild swings of very dry weather, lasting for years, and now several months of very wet weather.

The reality is that California should enjoy it while it lasts. Long-term predictions are that the state and much of the Southwest and other areas of the country will return to what has been evolving for several years, and that is aridification.

So, we are all on the same page, aridification can be defined as a process in which a region, state, or entire country becomes increasingly dry. It's happening around the globe. 

And because it's happening around the globe, we all must become more familiar with it, even if we don't live in areas currently experiencing aridification.

Here's why We Need to Understand Aridification:

Crops. Invariably, the first signs of aridification are that crops that grow in a region are no longer receiving sufficient irrigation to grow.  

Economics. Farming communities soon begin to suffer economically when they cannot grow crops. They soon need help feeding their livestock as well as themselves.

Inflation. Food is a core commodity. When the supply of food is reduced, costs go up. This will apply not only to fruits and vegetables but meats and chicken. A domino situation sets in. With supplies going down and costs up, scores of other industries are impacted. This raises the prices of all types of goods and services.

Movement. Aridification has been causing people living in farming communities to move to cities. Very often, their skills are not easily transferable to urban living.

Water. With water supplies in shorter demand, water costs go up. Localities must look further for new supplies as old watering holes dry up. They must charge for this.

Conflict. This is a big concern in many parts of the world. This includes conflict between cities, states, and countries. The Middle East has only one percent of the world's freshwater, but it must be shared among five percent of the world’s population. So far, tensions here have been resolved. But will they in the future?

Non-potable. This refers to any water that has not been treated or evaluated to be sure it is safe for human consumption. Aridification is making it harder for millions of people to get safe drinking water.

Poverty. View water as a foundational. If water is in short supply or there is no potable water in a region, poverty is invariably the result. Aridification contributes to world poverty, which is expected to become more of a concern in years to come.

Depletion. Many states in the U.S. no longer depend on rainfall events for their water. Instead, they are draining underground water supplies. The problem is these supplies are drying out and are not being replenished. Where, responsible public officials are asking, will people living in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and parts of Texas get their water five or ten years from now? 

Our only option is to use water efficiently or, if possible, not at all. That's what waterless urinals are designed to do. Reduce water consumption dramatically and permanently, so it can be used for drinking water, growing crops, and protecting communities and economies.

The Dust Bowl – Facts About the Greatest Manmade Environmental Catastrophe in American History

We often hear about the impact climate change is having on water, causing some areas of the country to experience prolonged periods of drought while others are experiencing far more moisture than in the past.

But climate change had no role in causing the Dust Bowl. Rather, it was the result of several conditions, incidents, and unfortunate happenings.

Below are some frequently asked questions about the Dust Bowl.

What was the Dust Bowl?

The Dust Bowl brought economic, ecological, and human misery to millions of Americans. It occurred simultaneously with the Great Depression, which added to the economic suffering.

The Dust Bowl was caused by extended drought, unusually hot weather, strong winds, and poor agricultural practices.

Soil erosion along with high winds and choking dust clouds called black blizzards — because they eliminated daytime sunlight — swept through the Midwest, from Nebraska to Texas.

When did it occur?

The Dust Bowl started in 1931 and tapered off by 1939.

How many black blizzards occurred?

In 1932, there were 14 black blizzards. By 1933, there were 40.

What were the poor agricultural practices?

After World War I and throughout the 1920s, mechanized farming equipment was introduced to allow farmers to grow more crops over more land.  This helped increase profits. Previously unplowed land — as much as five million acres — was plowed to produce record crops.

These record crops reached a crescendo during the 1931 season, but due to the Depression, there were few buyers. Farmers let their crops die in the fields, and the over-plowed land was left bare. In time, the fertile topsoil blew away in the winds. Drought made the situation even worse. Eventually, many farmers lost their farms to foreclosures. Their land and any remaining crops were left to turn to dust.

Did the government step in to help?

Yes; in 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted programs to help farmers avoid foreclosures to help keep their farms afloat. The administration also set up programs to teach farmers new farming practices to protect their land and begin farming again. However, it was a major undertaking. By 1935, 35 million acres of farmland were ruined, and the topsoil covering more than 100 million acres of land had blown away.

Did the Dust Bowl cause illness?

Yes, both humans and animals suffered. The dust storms caused dust pneumonia, which occurs when excessive and prolonged inhalation of dirt and dust results in inflammation of the lungs. Acute respiratory infection is followed by painful and severe symptoms. Fever developed, and many people died of dust pneumonia.

Could the Dust Bowl happen again?

According to the Yale School of the Environment, much has changed in the U.S. heartland, “with improved irrigation and agricultural practices. [But] with rising temperatures and worsening droughts caused by global warming, another Dust Bowl in the U.S. is possible.”

Another concern is that underground water from aquifers is drying up in large parts of the Midwest.

“There comes a point where if you’re not replenishing aquifers, then all you need is the next minor drought to come along, and … you run the risk of another Dust Bowl-like event,” says Tim Cowan, a senior research fellow at the University of Southern Queensland who studies the effects of climate change on precipitation and heat waves.

Does water efficiency play a role in preventing another Dust Bowl?

Yes, it does. Water efficiency means utilizing new and existing technologies such as waterless urinals, which use far less water than traditional products, including no water at all. Water efficiency can and will play a significant role in preventing another Dust Bowl because it helps reduce the amount of water drawn from aquifers, helping them replenish, so we can better manage through another drought when it comes along.

What Is a Flash Drought?

Most of us know what a flash flood is. In late 2022, California and many other areas of the western United States experienced several flash floods that resulted in damaged homes, mudslides, and killed 17 people.

A flash flood, according to NASA, is a rapid rise of water along streams and low-lying land. It typically occurs within six hours of a major rainfall event but can happen even sooner in an intense storm with heavy rain.

Flash droughts are just the opposite, but in many ways, they can be just as damaging. Unlike flash floods, which can develop in hours, flash droughts usually take weeks to months to develop.

But these are not traditional droughts. A drought usually takes years, sometimes a decade, to develop.

The big concern about flash droughts is that communities have little chance to prepare for them. This is unlike the droughts we have seen in the past, where public officials, businesses, and consumers are provided with ample warning signs that drought conditions are growing and becoming more serious.

With a flash drought, there is no warning. In 2017, a flash drought hit Montana and the Dakotas, catching everyone by surprise and causing $3 billion in agricultural losses.

In a step-by-step fashion, here’s how it happened:

• These areas of the country experienced a combination of lower-than-normal precipitation and higher temperatures.

• These factors reduced overall land moisture.

• Under normal conditions, moisture accumulates from rainfall. Plants draw this water through their roots and release water vapor into the air. This is called transpiration.

• But with already dry conditions and higher temperatures in Montana and the Dakotas, there was an increase in evaporation and less transpiration. Vegetation could no longer produce all the moisture the atmosphere demanded.

• When this happened, reduced moisture caused surface air temperatures to rise, further drying out the soil. This started a domino effect. The area became increasingly warmer and dryer very quickly, resulting in a flash drought.

Flash droughts are relatively new. The term was coined in the early 2000s to draw more attention to this form of rapid – or intensified – drought conditions. It’s a byproduct of climate change. Rising global temperatures due to climate change are behind flash droughts, according to University of Texas professor Zong-Liang Yang. Climate change contributes to the chain reaction just discussed.

 One of the big problems that results from a flash drought is that drought conditions can set in very quickly and unexpectedly. During the first part of 2012, areas in the Midwest received near-normal precipitation through May. But by June, temperatures increased, the area became dryer, and a flash drought occurred by August, causing more than $30 billion in damages.

 Can we predict flash droughts?

It’s not easy to predict when or where a flash drought might hit. For instance, in the scenario referenced in Montana and the Dakotas, 2017 started out as a typical year as far as temperatures and precipitation were concerned. But unexpectedly and without warning, it was over in a few months.

Even in the best of situations, scientists say nature can be chaotic, which puts limitations on weather predictions. It’s one reason weather forecasters typically do not make weather predictions beyond ten days. There are just too many variables. Further, climate change is making things worse. Due to climate change, most scientists agree, we must expect the unexpected.

 So where does water efficiency come into play? Water efficiency is the long-term reduction in water consumption. Waterless urinals are a perfect example. By reducing the consumption of 35,000 gallons of water per urinal per year, we are saving millions of gallons of water throughout the United States.

 By using less water, we are not as vulnerable to flash droughts or traditional droughts. We can move water supplies more quickly to where they are needed. This makes the country more water resilient and agile.

Resilience, agility, and water efficiency are the long-term ways we can minimize the impact of flash droughts.

 Sources:

What is a flash drought? An earth scientist explains (waterdesk.org)

‘Flash Droughts’ Coming on Faster, Global Study Shows | Jackson School of Geosciences | The University of Texas at Austin (utexas.edu)

https://tinyurl.com/2cbrh37x

Video: The Situation Regarding Water Today in the United States

Hello! This is Robert Kravitz, and this is the first in our series of interviews with Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc, based in Vista, California.

For those that don't know, Waterless Company was started over 30 years ago. They were the first company to introduce no-water urinals to North America. Today they are referred to as pioneers in water efficiency.

We're calling this series of interviews Waterless Foresights-a Video Series.

Robert:

Hello Klaus, how are you today?

Klaus:

Hi Robert. Great to talk to you and thank you for having me on the show today.

Robert:

Klaus, because you have been involved with water efficiency for more than 30 years, I'm curious about the situation today in the United States regarding water. We got all that rain over the holidays in California. But does that mean we are ahead of the curve now? Are things better now? What is the situation with water today in this country?

Klaus:

That's a particularly good and broad question, and I can start broadly. Water still is the stepchild of so many things.

Every year, thirty to thirty-eight States in our country are under drought watch.

Much of it has to do with the lack of precipitation. But it also has to do with population growth in various areas of the country and the fact that we cannot expand water treatment facilities in certain areas because of environmental concerns. So, a lot of varied factors come into play when we talk about water in this country.

But water issues are finally coming to many more people's awareness. The media is helping make this happen. This was especially true eight years ago in Atlanta, where water for the city was depleted.

Robert:

I just read somewhere that the amount of water in the lake in Salt Lake City is one-third of what it was ten years ago. Making this an even bigger concern is that there are all kinds of sediment at the bottom of the lake where it's dried up. If it becomes windblown, it could prove toxic to the people living in Salt Lake City.

Klaus:

Yes, I have heard that too. If this sediment gets airborne, the masks we wore during COVID won't help much.

This is an extremely hazardous material in the air. Situations like this have happened before. It indicates some of the hazards before us if we don't start using water more efficiently.

You know, there is a difference between conserving water and water efficiency. To conserve water, we can start by just turning the faucet off when we brush our teeth. It can also mean using restroom fixtures, from toilets and urinals to faucets and showerheads, which are designed to use less water.

This is what makes them water efficient.

To become more water efficient, whether at home, in schools, or in the office, we first must become more aware of how much water we use and take steps every day to reduce the amount we use.

Robert:

I noticed you did not mention your own company, Waterless Co. Waterless urinals are now required in some states like Arizona. This is because they eliminate the use of about 35,000 gallons of water per urinal, per year. They help us reduce consumption and use water far more efficiently.

Klaus:

I appreciate you mentioning this. Here's a little example.

In a school, factory, or restaurant restroom, if you can just eliminate the flush urinals and replace them with waterless urinals, you can reduce the amount of water used in that restroom by as much as 30 percent.

Robert:

Wow, I did not know that. That is a major reduction.

Say, this has been a terrific discussion. I look forward to our future talks. Thank you.