Why Go Waterless?

Many facilities are now considering waterless urinals because they are an effective way to reduce water consumption—making them a Green, environmentally preferable choice. Additionally, reducing water consumption saves money. Just like everything else, due to inflation, water utility costs are going up around the world.

Before 1990, the average urinal in the United States used as much as four gallons of water per flush. Today, because of legislation and increased conservation measures, conventional urinals use about one to one and a half gallons of water when flushed.

However, this is still a significant amount of water.

The average office building in the United States uses 15,000 gallons of water daily. Waterless urinals have the potential to reduce this amount significantly. Moreover, this water usage can prove to be quite detrimental in the country's most drought-prone areas, such as California and other western states.

We should also know that the cost to install and maintain waterless urinals is less than that of traditional urinals.

"The initial installation is easy and relatively inexpensive because you need only a drain line instead of both a water and a drain line," says David Rose, an architect in Troy, MI. "You also don't have to contend with additional plumbing, flush valves, sensors, and the like, which can be costly maintenance headaches."

How They Work

Waterless urinals are not new—they are more than one hundred years old. They were first installed during the early 1890s in public marketplaces in Switzerland. These early models used sesame oil to keep urine below the urinal drain to minimize odors. However, these early urinals were forgotten until the 1970s, when they were rediscovered during the "ecological movement" taking root.  

A no-water urinal works the same way as a conventional one, except without water. A traditional flush urinal has a "trap" in the drain, filled with a small amount of water that prevents odors and sewer gases from escaping.  

Waterless urinals also have a trap (or cylinder) that sits atop the drain area of the urinal. The cylinder is filled with a thin layer of liquid or sealant. Urine passes through the trap and sealant, forming a barrier that prevents odors from escaping. It also helps to eliminate the evaporation of urine, which can harm indoor air quality.  

Cleaning and Maintenance

Waterless urinals are cleaned the same way as conventional urinals, except without the need for powerful chemicals. The urinal's trap insert requires attention, and the liquid sealant must be replenished, prolonging the trap's life span and effectiveness.  

There are a few manufacturers of waterless urinals in the market today, and each uses a slightly different system, requiring different maintenance. Facility and building managers should do their homework, analyze each design, and decide which works best for their facilities. 

Potential Drawbacks

There are some drawbacks when switching to a no-water system. For instance, the cylinders (traps) used can be expensive on certain models and may need to be changed more frequently than initially thought. But this is not the case with urinals marketed by Waterless Co., Inc. 

Additionally, some facilities with few males and few urinals may not benefit from installing waterless urinals. However, there will be benefits in facilities with ten or more males.

Facilities with waterless urinals must also educate their custodial staff on how to maintain them. As mentioned earlier, abrasive and powerful cleaners used in a conventional urinal should not be used to clean a waterless urinal.  

Additionally, men must get accustomed to using waterless urinals. Using them for the first time, men usually look for a flush handle or search for an electric sensor. To end the confusion, one large Chicago office building even installed a small sign above each urinal that says, in essence, "This is a waterless urinal. No flushing is required. After use, walk away."  

Still, the economics are favorable from the beginning with waterless urinals because no-water urinals are less costly to install and maintain compared to conventional ones. "Overall, waterless urinals are an efficient and economical alternative to traditional urinals," contends Rose. 

Although the cost savings are a real value when installing waterless urinals, another significant benefit is being environmentally responsible. Facilities looking to pitch in and do their part for the environment may provide an ideal service when installing waterless urinals.

Klaus Reichardt is CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc, pioneers in advancing water efficiency.  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

Memorial Day Message from Waterless Co., Inc

There are so many quotes in honor of Memorial Day. Virtually, all of them make us stop and think about how special this day is.

But of all these memorable quotes, the one that stands out for me is attributed to Army General, George S. Patton:

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”

On this Memorial Day, let us take a moment to remember those who have given their lives for our country. Let us honor their sacrifice and pledge to never forget their service.

Enjoy this holiday and let’s remember why we honor it.

www.waterless.com

Waterless Announces New Tagline: “Pioneers in Advancing Water Efficiency”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Press Release 

Waterless Announces New Tagline

Goal: to remember the past but focus on the future 

Waterless Co., Inc., long known as an “icon” in the no-water urinal industry, introduces a new tagline, “Pioneers in Advancing Water Efficiency.”   

According to Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of the company, the new tagline reflects where the company has been, its expertise in the no-water urinal industry, its knowledge of water efficiency, and the future. 

Waterless Co., Inc, is the oldest manufacturer of no-water urinals in North America. Based in Southern California, the company first began marketing waterless urinals in 1991.

“At the time, no other manufacturers were making no-water urinals in North America,” says Reichardt. “Rarely did you hear anyone use the term ‘water efficiency.’ We truly were pioneers back then in every sense of the word.”

 Today, with the chronic and ongoing drought conditions in California and throughout the Southwest, Reichardt believes the new tagline will better position the company for further growth.

 “There are several new players in the no-water urinal industry,” he says.

“However, building owners and managers should work with long-term suppliers and brands.   Because we are pioneers and our fixtures have been installed in buildings for more than 31 years, we have earned their trust and confidence."

Reichardt also points out that recent market research studies predict significant growth in the waterless urinal industry over the next several years.

“We want this new tagline to help us take advantage of this growth. I am extremely optimistic that working together, our country can address its water challenges – and it will be easier than we think today.”

###

 About Waterless Co. Inc.

Waterless Co. Inc. has established a well-respected reputation as being an innovative manufacturer of no-water urinal systems.  Based in Vista, Ca, the 31- 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

Waterless Announces New Tagline: “Pioneers in Advancing Water Efficiency”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Press Release 

Waterless Announces New Tagline

Goal: to remember the past but focus on the future 

Waterless Co., Inc., long known as an “icon” in the no-water urinal industry, introduces a new tagline, “Pioneers in Advancing Water Efficiency.”   

According to Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of the company, the new tagline reflects where the company has been, its expertise in the no-water urinal industry, it’s knowledge of water efficiency, and the future. 

Waterless is the oldest manufacturer of no-water urinals in North America. Based in Southern California, the company first began marketing waterless urinals in 1991.

 “At the time, no other manufacturers were making no-water urinals in North America,” says Reichardt. “Rarely did you hear anyone use the term ‘water efficiency.’ We truly were pioneers back then in every sense of the word.”

 Today, with the chronic and ongoing drought conditions in California and throughout the Southwest, Reichardt believes the new tagline will better position the company for further growth.

 “There are several new players in the no-water urinal industry,” he says. “However, building owners and managers should work with long-term suppliers and brands.   Because we are pioneers and our fixtures have been installed in buildings for more than 31 years, we have earned their trust and confidence."

 Reichardt also points out that recent market research studies predict significant growth in the waterless urinal industry over the next several years.

 “We want this new tagline to help us take advantage of this growth. I am extremely optimistic that working together, our country can address its water challenges – and it will be easier than we think today.”

###

 About Waterless Co. Inc.

Waterless Co. Inc. has established a well-respected reputation as being an innovative manufacturer of no-water urinal systems.  Based in Vista, Ca, the 31- 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

reducing water consumption in Industrial facilities

They are doing this not only because they may be in areas suffering from chronic droughts or climate change, but because it is simply good business.

The less water used, the less these industries must pay for water, and in some cases, the cost of water may be one of their most significant expenses.

 Key Points:

 

·       Exactly how are industrial facilities reducing water consumption?

·       By changing employee behaviors. 

·       By benchmarking consumption. 

·       By analyzing their water bill.

·       By giving staffers prices and incentives for using less water.

·       By putting the staff in charge.

·       By minimizing the use of water for cleaning.

·       By checking restroom fixtures and installing water fixtures that use less or no water at all.

Learn More Here

 #waterconservation #waterconservation #waterefficiency #aridification #industrialrealestate

Industrial facilities making strides in reducing water consumption

They are doing this not only because they may be in areas suffering from chronic droughts or climate change, but because it is simply good business.

The less water used, the less these industries must pay for water, and in some cases, the cost of water may be one of their most significant expenses.

 Key Points:

 

·       Exactly how are industrial facilities reducing water consumption?

·       By changing employee behaviors. 

·       By benchmarking consumption. 

·       By analyzing their water bill.

·       By giving staffers prices and incentives for using less water.

·       By putting the staff in charge.

·       By minimizing the use of water for cleaning.

·       By checking restroom fixtures and installing water fixtures that use less or no water at all.

Learn More Here

 #waterconservation #waterconservation #waterefficiency #aridification #industrialrealestate

Here’s How to Make Restrooms Greener, Healthier, and Saving Money At It

Even with all the rain in California, half of the country is currently experiencing some form of drought. This makes this a perfect time to think about ways to make restrooms greener water efficient. The main reason for this is with more people starting to go back to the workplace and back to school, a green restroom is typically a healthier restroom.

We want to do everything possible in a post-COVID era to ensure restrooms, no matter where they are located, are clean, safe, and healthy as people return to the swing of things.

With all of this said, how do we go about making a restroom greener and save money too? Among the steps are the following:

Use green-certified cleaning solutions. These cleaning solutions have been independently tested and verified to help reduce cleaning's impact on the user and the environment.  Plus, today’s green-certified cleaning solutions are very cost competitive.

Use disinfectants sparingly.  In April 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said they are concerned that we are overusing disinfectants. Further, not only is this unnecessary, but the possibility of someone also getting COVID by touching a surface is remote. The problem with disinfectants is that they can be harmful to the user.   Further, the CDC reports poisonings related to disinfectants have gone up since the pandemic began.

Install waterless urinals. When it comes to making restrooms greener, waterless urinals can serve us in two ways. There probably is no other building technology that can reduce water consumption as much as installing waterless urinals. Further, waterless urinals are healthier. By eliminating the "plume" of air released when a water-using urinal is flushed, this helps eliminate the chances of harmful pathogens being released into the air.

Sensor-Controlled Lighting.  There is no reason for lights in restrooms to be left on all day. Sensor-controlled lighting helps save energy. Taking this a step further, LED light bulbs should be installed. They use less energy, generate more light, and last far longer than traditional light bulbs.

High-Efficiency Toilets – with Lids. We have discussed the need for high-efficiency toilets several times in our posts. These typically use less than the 1.6 gallons per flush currently mandated by law. However, due to COVID, we should add a lid to these toilets. The lid helps prevent plumes from escaping, as we referenced earlier. This makes for a healthier restroom.

TMV. Thermostatic mixing valves are not as standard in North America as in other parts of the world. These valves mix the hot and cold water feeds to a pre-set temperature. This way, when the faucet is turned on, the water is automatically at the correct temperature. We often waste water if we must wait for it to get warm or, just the opposite, get cold. TMV systems can help eliminate this problem. Further, they help prevent releasing water that is too hot and scolding.

Enhanced Ventilation. Restrooms are not always well ventilated. Today, not only do we need well-ventilated restrooms, but air systems should have enhanced air filtration systems, such as HEPA filters, if possible. These do not work with all HVAC systems. Another option is using UV-C systems that electronically clean air as it is being released into the restroom.  These systems "zap" the air, killing pathogens in the process.

Taking these and many other steps will help keep restrooms cleaner, safer, and healthier. They should also help building owners cut operating costs and, if no-water urinals are installed, reduce water consumption dramatically. In other words, they have benefits all around.

What A Cleaning Expert has to Say About Cleaning Waterless Urinals

Ben Walker is a well-known and very respected cleaning consultant. He and his company, Management, Inc., work with large facilities and contract cleaning companies all over the world, helping them streamline cleaning operations, improve efficiencies, and reduce cleaning-related costs.

A few years back, his company was hired to help streamline cleaning operations for a new, exceptionally large, state-of-the-art building in San Diego, CA.

As he was touring the facility for the first time, he noticed something in the restrooms he had never seen before: waterless urinals. He was told they were installed because they can help reduce water consumption dramatically, as much as 35,000 gallons (about 132489.35 L) of water per year per urinal. In thirsty California, as well as many other western states, waterless urinals are now commonplace. In 2006, not so much.

Walker says that as far as cleaning and maintenance in the new building, everything was going perfectly – at least initially. The client was happy as were the building’s tenants. But by the third month, problems developed. The waterless urinals that the building proudly installed were releasing pungent odors that could be sniffed throughout the facility.

“This was a problem I had never faced before,” says Walker. And it was not just Walker. “I found…the custodial crew members [were also] struggling to keep the new waterless urinals clean, but a very pungent odor was beginning to overtake the facility.” 

What Walker later found out was that while waterless urinals offer “huge benefits,” as he called them, allowing organizations to meet their sustainably needs, they have their own cleaning requirements, many of which differ from the ways traditional, water using urinals are cleaned.

"While the cleaning procedure for waterless urinals isn’t difficult, they have additional process that managers need to be aware of.” 

Now aware of this, among his suggestions to managers and cleaning professionals are the following:

Read the cleaning instructions. Most manufacturers provide cleaning instructions with the waterless urinals. All too often, no one reads those instructions until a problem arises. Those problems usually can be eliminated if the instructions are read before any cleaning is performed.

Make sure the staff is using the proper cleaning solutions recommended by the manufacturer and that the chemicals are diluted properly. Some brands may require specific cleaning solutions; however, most waterless urinals can be cleaned using traditional cleaning solutions such as all-purpose cleaners, sanitizers, and disinfectants.

Keep the cleaning solutions from draining into the cartridge at the bottom of the urinal. The cartridge serves an especially important function. It helps prevent sewer odors – such as those this building in San Diego was having – from escaping into the building. If the cleaning solution fills the cartridge, it could reduce its effectiveness. To prevent this from happening, remove the cartridge when cleaning. (NOTE: This is Walker’s advice. This may not be necessary with all waterless urinals).

Wipe the urinal cleaning from the down. Also, use a cotton cloth or microfiber towel. Some cleaning professionals use paper towels. Paper towels are good for drying hands but not effective in cleaning, including cleaning waterless urinals.

Finally, take note as to when the cartridge was installed. Some cartridges have a noticeably short lifespan, two or three months.

Our comment: Interestingly, these short-lived cartridges are often the most expensive. The cartridges installed in urinals manufactured by Waterless Co., Inc, are inexpensive and can last as long as six months. Further, waterless urinals from Waterless Co., come with a unique key that can be used to quickly remove the cartridge when it needs to be changed.

Finally, determining when the cartridge needs to be changed can be subjective. Cleaning professionals should conduct a sniff test every time they clean a restroom where waterless urinals are installed. After two to six months, depending on what type of cartridge is installed, an odor may become noticeable. That means it is time to change the cartridges. Have more cartridges in the supply cabinet to remove the old unit and install a new one, in seconds.

Water and Economics: The Inevitable Connection

This article was originally published in Water Quality Products. Click here to read the original article.

While it may surprise those focused on water-related issues, potable water and a country’s GDP can be very closely intertwined. To better comprehend this, let us first get a better understanding of GDP.

GDP has long been considered one of the best barometers of a country’s economy and economic growth. The Gross Domestic Product of a country measures a country’s production in a given amount of time, typically in annual increments. It includes all the goods and services produced in a country regardless of their purpose.  

Traditionally overlooked in GDP is the impact water—or lack of it—can have on a country’s economy. However, a study published in March 2020 clarified that what the researchers called “water scarcity” can have significant, long-term negative impacts on a country’s economy and growth.

Let’s look at that study now.

Entitled “Evaluating the impacts of water resources technology progress on development and economic growth over the Northwest, China,” it was published in PLOS One, a peer-reviewed, open-access scientific journal, and conducted by scientists at China’s Shaanxi Normal University.

The scientists focused on a region of China as it existed in 1996 regarding population growth, industry and economic development, and overall living conditions. The collected metrics gave them the region’s GDP, which they followed through 2017.  

We should note that a geographic area’s living conditions can be a crucial component of GDP. As living conditions improve in a region or country, GDP increases because people purchase more products and services. However, particularly pertinent to our discussion, water use also increases.  

With the GDP stats in hand, the researchers then examined the impact water shortages and water scarcity had during these 21 years. They found that “water scarcity is increasingly becoming the biggest bottleneck for urban future development” in this and other semi-arid provinces in China.  

Other Concerns

The researchers noted two additional issues that are impacting not only this area of China but also many other areas of the world, including here in North America.  

1. Overload. Most areas of the world access underground water reservoirs—aquifers—in varying amounts to meet their water needs. Typically, with rainfall events, these aquifers become refilled and regenerated. However, the researchers found that demand for this underground water is greater in the analyzed areas than the speed at which the aquifers can be refilled. This they termed overload.  

2. Water Efficiency. Water efficiency typically refers to long-term water-reducing strategies, often measured by the amount of water used and delivered. However, it also focuses on water waste. The researchers found that there is considerable water waste in this part of China, with a great deal of it originating from the water-providing utilities in this area.

The water waste most often happens when the water is treated and delivered, along with how manufacturers and industry use it in this region. Vast amounts of water, the researchers pointed out, are wasted by the industry sector.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The following are some of the researcher’s conclusions. We should note that while many of these recommendations pertain specifically to this area of China, they have universal applications to regions and countries and their economies around the world. With that said, the following were among their conclusions:

• Progress in water technologies that help reduce water consumption can increase GDP growth.

• Development of products that reduce waste and help use water more efficiently can result in more significant economic expansion.

• Water scarcity will hinder future economic development in China and other parts of the world, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.

• Even in non-arid regions, water scarcity can constrain economic growth.

Fortunately, we are making considerable progress in introducing water-using technologies that can reduce water consumption, cut waste, and use water much more efficiently. Cities and municipalities are making significant advances. El Paso, Texas, for example, is building an advanced purification system to treat sewage water and turn it into drinking water. This direct-to-distribution approach helps reduce water waste.

In New York City, six colleges have banded together to reduce water consumption, primarily by finding ways to use water more efficiently. It is estimated this will save more than 1.3 million gallons of water per month.

Additionally, increasingly commercial facilities are installing low-flow restroom fixtures and waterless urinals here in North America and around the globe. Because more water is typically used in restrooms than in any other location in a commercial building, this step alone will save millions of gallons of water annually.

But this study tells us we must do more and continue to do more. Preventing water scarcity and improving water efficiency is a journey. There is no endpoint. And protecting this vital natural resource will also help protect and grow the economies of countries around the globe.

Klaus Reichardt is the founder and CEO of Waterless Co., Inc. He frequently reports on all types of water-related issues and can be reached at klaus@waterless.com

Source: “Evaluating the impacts of water resources technology progress on development and economic growth over the Northwest, China.” Na Qiao, Lan Fang, Lan Mu. PLoS One, March 12, 2020.

Business Longevity - Here's How They made it Happen

The life span of businesses in the U.S. keeps declining. In 1958, a publicly traded company had a life span of about 61 years. That’s down to 18 years today.

As to small businesses, they too “lived” longer years ago. But today, the average life expectancy of one of the 31 million small businesses in the United States is about 8.5thirty-oneirty-oneears. This may be even shorter now due to COVID.

So, when we hear about a company such as Waterless Co., Inc., manufacturers of no-water urinals and other restroom products, celebrating its 32nd anniversary, business owners might want to get some insight into how they did it.

Here are quotes from Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc., on how he did it:

Believe in your product or service. “Running a business is not for the faint of heart. You have to believe in your product or service to get others to believe in it too.”

Give it time. “It took months of knocking on doors before we got our first major customer. Give a new business a reasonable amount of time to take off.”

Know the start-up costs. “This varies depending on the type of business but have a good idea how much money it will take to get the company moving. And don’t expect profits right away. Typically, profits are two or three years down the road.”

Have well-defined values.  “Most businesses become a reflection of the owner’s values. If you have strong ethics and solid values, you will attract not only employees with similar values but customers as well.”

Adapt to change. “Due to COVID, building construction and renovation virtually came to a halt. Those were our main markets. But at the same time, more homeowners decided to install home urinals. We changed direction fast, got our home urinals green certified, and that has proven to be a wise decision.”

Listen to your customers. “Always view your customers as the gift that keeps on giving. Their feedback on your products and services is what helps improve your offerings, helping the business grow stronger, and more profitable.”

About Klaus

Klaus Reichardt is CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc, pioneers in advancing water efficiency.  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