THINK WATERLESS | Seven Benefits of Reducing Water Consumption

Below are Seven Benefits of Reducing Water Consumption and Using Water More Efficiently

1.   Guard against the rising costs of water. In 2020, the Guardian Newspaper reported, "Between 2010 and 2018, water bills rose by at least 27 percent [in the U.S.]. The highest increase was 154 percent in Austin, Texas, where the average annual bill rose from $566 in 2010 to $1,435 in 2018." Reducing water consumption can help us avoid paying more for water in the future.

2.   Minimize the impact of water shortages. Water scarcity is a severe challenge for many businesses in South Texas, where high temperatures and drought conditions have reduced the water levels of major reservoirs. The outlook for the summer of 2024 in South Texas is grim, as hot temperatures are expected to persist. Businesses that have yet to implement water conservation measures or install water-efficient technologies may face greater difficulties in a drought than those that have taken proactive steps to reduce their water consumption.

3.   Continue growing. Oakley, Utah, is a small town that faces a significant challenge: water scarcity. Due to the megadrought that has affected parts of the state, Oakley's water supply is not enough to meet the demands of its growing population. Once, the town welcomed new residents, but today, it has closed the door. All new construction projects have stopped until the water situation improves. This is also happening in Arizona, which has imposed similar restrictions to cope with drought conditions.

4.   Promote sustainability and invite investors. Sustainability reports show, among other things, how businesses and organizations are minimizing their environmental impact. They are usually published in the first quarter of each year and cover topics such as energy and fuel consumption, waste reduction, and water efficiency. These reports are essential for investors and stakeholders who want to know – and invest in - organizations that manage their use of natural resources and reduce their exposure to price fluctuations, water shortages, and drought conditions.

5.   Engage and attract employees. Younger workers are drawn to companies that practice sustainability initiatives. Taking steps to reduce water consumption is a visible and tangible way to prove that an organization promotes sustainability. Among the more tangible steps organizations take are installing highly efficient toilets, waterless urinals (that use no water), and faucet aerators. Taking such steps typically encourages workers to do their part and turn off taps, wait to run dishwashers until filled, and report leaking toilets.

6.   Protect your local economy. Water is essential for business. We may face serious consequences if we don't use water responsibly and efficiently. In China, many rivers have disappeared in the past 20 years due to their being drained for economic development and poor water management. This has resulted in factory shutdowns and entire communities forced to shut down or ration what water is left. Don't let this happen to your community.

7.   Grow Food. Agriculture consumes 70 percent of the fresh water in this country, but the growing population puts more pressure on the water supply. Many farmers are trying to save water by using better irrigation methods and growing less thirsty crops. However, these measures may only be enough if we all use water more wisely. The worst outcome could be a lack of food for us and the world. Let’s not let that happen.

Waterless Co., Inc. is a pioneer in water efficiency. We are:

• The go-to company for reducing water consumption.

• Understand the many benefits of waterless urinals.

• Help you find ways to use water more efficiently.

For more information, contact a Waterless Co Specialist

The Power of Awareness in Addressing Water Challenges

"Awareness is the great agent for change," says Echart Tolle, author and international spiritual guru.

This can apply to everything, including water-related challenges and water scarcity, which is becoming a global concern. According to Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of Waterless Co., Inc., the key to reducing water consumption, preventing water scarcity, and ensuring its availability in the future is awareness.

"This will be especially true in 2024, as more people become aware of the gap between water supply and demand. It will encourage more people around the world to take actions to conserve water and use water much more efficiently."

However, we are learning that the effectiveness of change using awareness campaigns often depends on how it is presented. For instance, in the mid-1980s, drug awareness programs were created to encourage American teenagers not to take drugs and, if they started, to stop taking them.

Since then, several studies have been taken, all coming to the same conclusion: these drug prevention programs did not work. In some cases, they even increased drug use among teenagers.

As to why they did not work, there are almost as many conclusions as there are studies. But most of these studies concluded: "Scare tactics do evoke a strong emotional reaction, [but] research shows that teens still don't modify their behavior accordingly. They rarely make the connection between the message and their own personal [use of drugs]."

Interestingly, studies have found that the same is true of adults. Instead of getting adults to change certain behaviors, scare tactics often make them feel guilty. When this happens, they tune out the campaign or do just the opposite of what the campaign is encouraging them not to do.

"In the past, scare tactics have been used to shock people into using less water," says Reichardt. "While awareness is the answer to helping the world reduce water consumption and use water more responsibly, scare strategies should not be used. A different approach is necessary."

Instead of scare tactics, here is what Reichardt recommends:

End the doom and gloom. Instead of showing desperate people walking miles to collect water or having no water, focus on what is being done to help these people alleviate these challenges. Positive behaviors can promote positive changes, including using water more responsibly and efficiently.

Communicate with images. It's true. Images can speak a thousand words. But don't show despair in these images; show hope and solutions. This creates positive emotions and inspires people to reduce their own water consumption.

Calls to Action. Let people know what they can do to help address water challenges and water scarcity. Positive awareness campaigns need to leave people with positive emotions and hope and indicate what steps they can take to improve the situation. Be specific. Let people know what they can do. This approach will help people feel good about themselves and feel they are part of a global campaign to help others when it comes to water.

Storytelling. The goal of any awareness campaign is to help people become aware of a situation. Storytelling is one of the best ways to make this happen. Storytelling motivates others to care. Interesting stories about individuals or entire communities that have struggled with water challenges and found ways to address them can be compelling and memorable. Be sure they have a beginning, middle, and positive end.   A heartfelt story with a positive ending motivates others to understand the water challenges we face, but even more, get more people on board finding ways to address them.

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

Source: "Scare Tactics Won't Work for Drug Prevention. Here's Why," by Jess Keefe, published in Shatterproof, a drug recovery program. October 12, 2022

THINK WATERLESS | Think Las Vegas

California and Texas are often seen as opposites by outsiders. They have many disagreements on various issues. But they have one thing in common: together they extract more underground water than any other states in the country – as much as 25 billion gallons every day.

Despite the above-average rainfall in both states in the last two years, the underground water reserves (aquifers) are still being drained faster than they can be refilled. "Those aquifers took thousands of years to accumulate water," says Klaus Reichardt, the CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc. "Now they are being depleted in many parts of the U.S., which means that water security could become a real challenge for the United States in the near future."

However, we have ways to reverse this trend. Nevada, especially Las Vegas, Nevada, are perfect examples of how this can be accomplished. 

Las Vegas now consumes 26 percent less water today – even with a much larger population - than it did in 2002. Moreover, the city and the state are constantly looking for new ways to reduce water use and use water more efficiently. In other words, it’s an ongoing journey.

How are they doing this? 

According to a 2022 report on CBS News and John Entsminger, the general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, among the ways are the following:

• Every drop of water used indoors is treated, recycled, and stored in Lake Mead. This has proven so effective, "you could leave every faucet, every shower running in every hotel room, and it won't consume any more water," says Entsminger.

• The state is helping homeowners financially to install desert landscaping. It also mandates when and how much water can be used for irrigation.

• A new law, the first of its kind in the U.S., bans non-functional grass. Non-functional grass is grass installed along roadways, at shopping centers, and other commercial facilities to improve the appearance of these areas – but has no functional purpose. It's being torn out all over Las Vegas and replaced with drought-tolerant landscaping. According to Entsminger, “watering one square foot of grass in Las Vegas uses seventy-three gallons of water per year. Drought tolerant landscaping uses just eighteen gallons."

• Las Vegas now has fourteen water-waste inspectors. They are on the lookout for property owners that let water run down outside drains. Fines run from $80 to $1,300.

• Monitors to detect leaks in the city's water infrastructure have been installed. The system has identified more than 1,600 underground leaks, helping to save three hundred million gallons of water. That's enough water to supply 1,800 Las Vegas homes.

• Encouraging the installation of water-conserving restroom fixtures. Many hotels now have compressed-air toilets, which use extraordinarily little water. Additionally, waterless urinals are now commonplace in many hotels, commercial buildings, and schools.

• MGM Resorts and the Bellagio Hotel have built their own water wells, reducing their dependence on the Colorado River and underground water supplies. Water that evaporates is replaced with treated and recycled water. The process has helped the properties reduce water consumption by 30 percent in the past three years.

Entsminger adds that all the steps mentioned here are part of an ongoing effort to reduce water consumption in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada.

"The situation we're facing today isn't drought. It's the long-term aridification* of the desert Southwest. These plans need to be permanent, and they need to build upon themselves every year."

Waterless Co., Inc. is a pioneer in water efficiency. We are:

• The go-to company for reducing water consumption.

• Understand the many benefits of waterless urinals.

• Help you find ways to use water more efficiently.

For more information, contact a Waterless Co Specialist. 

*Aridification refers to an area gradually getting dryer and hotter. This is caused by natural climatic events as well as climate change.

Here’s How Hemingway Might Describe a Urinal

The urinal, sturdy and unassuming, stood alone in the corner, its porcelain gleaming under the harsh fluorescent light.

It offered a refuge for weary men, a momentary respite in a world of chaos.

Its purpose was simple yet profound – to collect and dispose of waste, an everyday task carried out with stoicism and efficiency.

Forged from the hands of craftsmen, its design was unadorned, its lines clean and purposeful. It was a silent witness to moments of reflection, camaraderie, and relief.

In this shelter of solitude, men found solace, their burdens temporarily lightened as they stood together, united by the commonality of human needs. The urinal, modest and unassuming, transcended its utilitarian nature, becoming an emblem of forgotten struggles and silent triumphs.

Waterless Co., Inc’s New Year’s Greeting

In 1991, we were the first company to introduce no-flush urinals to North America. Since then, our products have helped customers here and around the world reduce water consumption and use water more efficiently.

As we enter 2024, we are excited to launch new products, strengthen our brand and empower our people. We are committed to our mission of reducing water consumption globally. That’s what drives us, motivates us, and defines us.

Have a Healthy, Happy New Year

THINK WATERLESS | Top Ten Waterless Urinal Celebrities for 2023

As more and more facilities around our country transfer from traditional, water-using urinals to those that use no water at all, we’ve decided to compile a top ten list of what we call the Waterless Urinal Celebrities.

This is a partial list of all the major sites around the country that have made the wise decision to go waterless.  These organizations are saving millions of gallons of water per year, helping organizations meet their sustainability initiatives, and reducing water risk in communities around the country.

As mentioned, this is just a partial list. Further, some of the organizations listed below did not install our no-water urinals.

However, that is not our focus.  Instead, our focus is the big picture – how waterless urinals can help protect our planet. 

 With that said, here are the Top Ten Waterless Celebrities for 2023:   

1. Mercedes Stadium. Atlanta

2. Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island

3. The Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles

4. Shed Aquarium, Chicago

5. The Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills

6. State of Arizona (requires waterless urinals installed in all new and retrofitted facilities)

7. New York Mets Citi Field Stadium

8. Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA.

9. Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA

10. Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 

So, what facility will be on the Waterless Urinal Celebrity list in 2024?  We’re already compiling a list.  It just might have a few surprises.  Keep in touch.

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. 

Wealth and Water: The Surprising Disparity

Traditionally, people of wealth use more water than low-income individuals. The reasons are apparent.  

Wealthy people, such as those living in wealthy enclaves in California and other areas of the country, typically own large homes with a lot of acreage, even in city areas. These homes typically also have lots of water-hungry landscaping, all of which suggests greater water consumption. 

Further, these folks have access to expensive water "toys," such as multi-head shower heads and double showers allowing two people to shower simultaneously, oversized bathtubs, home spas with hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and more. Again, these all require water to enjoy - and lots of it.

However, a Stanford University research group found that in times of drought and when water curtailment measures are in place, it is the rich that see water bills go down, even when rates go up. On the other hand, it is lower-income households that see their water bills go up.

"A low-income household often has a different response to [water] curtailment measures and surcharges because of how much water they used before the drought," said Benjamin Rachunok, who conducted the work as a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford and is now an assistant professor at North Carolina State University.  

"This can lead to different affordability outcomes for low- and-high-income people, even if the same processes and policies are applied to everyone." 

According to lead researcher, Sarah Fletcher, lead researcher reported:  

"The standard way of thinking about the connection between water scarcity and affordability has been to look at the cost of supplying water and how that cost is passed on to users.  

But we must include people's behavioral responses to how the drought is unfolding and the restrictions that are put in place."  

What Fletcher is saying is that when there is a water shortage, water providers often ask consumers to cut back on water consumption, and to help enforce this and make up for lost income, they often introduce water surcharges.

When this happens, high-income households have the flexibility to cut back on water use significantly, lowering their average water bill, even with the addition of a water surcharge.  

On the other hand, low-income households have less flexibility in their water usage. Even if they can curtail their water use, the drop does not compensate for the additional surcharge charges. In other words, they pay more for water.  

Commercial Water Consumption

If we look at water use in commercial facilities, we see again that those facilities with the resources can invest in additional steps to reduce water consumption. This has been going on for several years now.  

For instance, for years, building owners in large parts of California and other western states have been installing natural landscaping that uses less water.  They have also been installing highly efficient toilets and urinals, or taking this a big step further, installing waterless urinals that use no water at all.  

Having the resources to take these measures and install these fixtures helps lower water consumption significantly in these facilities along with their water utility bills - even with additional surcharge added to the bill.

What is affordable Water?

Determining what percentage of an office building's budget applies to water can be challenging. There have always been several variables to consider and sometimes each tenant in the facility pays their own water utility bill.  

Further, with so many office vacancies around the country at this time, water budget estimates that worked in the past likely do not work today.  

However, for residential facilities, the story is different.

The authors of this study consider water to be affordable when it exceeds two to four percent of a household's income. The researchers go on to say that "while the cost of supplying water is the primary driver of water bills, even a small bill increase during droughts could make it difficult for some households to afford the water they need."

Hopefully, states will return to rebate and assistance programs that can help lower-income households install fixtures that use less or no water. Ultimately, it will be beneficial to these households and helpful for all of us as we struggle to always use water more efficiently and responsibly in times of drought and at all times.

Waterless Co., Inc. is a pioneer in water efficiency. We are the go-to company for 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. 

Source: Socio-hydrological drought impacts on urban water affordability, by Benjamin Rachunok and Sarah Fletcher, published online by Nature Water, January 19, 2023

PDF: Socio-hydrological drought impacts on urban water affordability.pdf

Waterless Cares

Waterless Co strives to be a good steward of the Environment. Here is what we are doing to reduce our company’s environmental impact:

 Reuse packaging boxes in the shipping department whenever possible.

 Reuse packaging materials in the shipping department.

 Minimize packaging material we use to ship our urinals, liquids, and other products.

 Reuse shipping pallets in shipping and repair where possible.

 Use recycled paper and recycle papers from all workstations.

 Recycle all food packaging, plastic containers, aluminum cans, glass bottles, etc.

 We’ve installed high-efficiency lighting in our headquarters office and our warehouse and use natural lighting wherever possible.

 Use green cleaning solutions and cleaning methods to clean our office.

 Recycle toner cartridges from printers.

 Invite employee suggestions to do more.

 Install low-flow fixtures in restrooms and waterless urinals in our headquarters restroom.

 Installed low flow and drip irrigation systems in the landscaped areas surrounding our offices and warehouse.

Switched from large delivery van, which use more fuel, to smaller, compact vans that are more fuel efficient and economical.

Depending on the time of year, we have minimized or eliminated our use of heating and air conditioning. Instead, we open doors and windows.

Pushing the green and sustainability envelop has proven to be fun and keeps us striving to do more!

Traveling Over the Holidays? Expect to See More Waterless Urinals

It may sound incredible, but before 1989, urinals consumed about three to five gallons of water per flush (gpf) – or even more. This was reduced to about one gpf with urinals manufactured after 1992. 

However, this is still one gallon per flush, too much. Even with the introduction of newer, more water-efficient urinals, it is still estimated that a single conventional urinal can use up to 20,000 to over 40,000 gallons of water per year. A lot depends on the location of the urinal – a school vs. a church, for example - how busy the facility is, and today, climate change. 

 As more areas worldwide become warmer, we are drinking more water and liquids. Consuming more beverages means more men need to use urinals.

 This is also why no-flush urinals, such as those offered by Waterless Co., Inc., are attracting considerably more interest.  

Here are some of the reasons why, including the cost benefits of waterless urinals:

Ease of Installation. Waterless units are easy to install because they usually have the same footprint as a conventional urinal. The waterlines to the no-flush urinal will need to be capped or removed because they are no longer needed. Other than that, the Waterless urinal should fit comfortably where the conventional urinal was once installed.  

Fewer plumbing requirements. Because plumbing requirements are minimized with Waterless urinals, expect cost savings here as well. No more costly sensors or flush handles. And because these areas of the urinal most often need repair, fewer repair bills mean lower costs.  

More hygienic. Even before the pandemic, most people did not want to touch anything in the restroom. Now, it is viewed as a necessity. Waterless urinals were one step ahead of the game. They have always been no-touch. Use them and walk away. You can't get more hygienic than that.  

Secret to technology. Waterless urinals use a unique device called an EcoTrap® placed at the bottom of the urinal. This device contains a thin layer of liquid sealant, usually BlueSeal. When urine enters the urinal, it passes through the EcoTrap™ and the sealant and then flows down to the drainpipe as usual. The sealant also prevents odors from escaping into the restroom, making waterless urinals hygienic and odor-free. 

Views of cleaning professionals. Many cleaning workers did not know how to clean waterless urinals initially. While the cleaning needs of these urinals is similar to conventional urinals, there are some differences.

For instance, never pour water or scrub the inside of waterless urinal. Usually, they only need to be sprayed with an all-purpose cleaner on the urinal's surfaces and wiped clean. If a disinfectant is used, always clean before disinfecting. This is the correct way to use disinfectants on any surface.

Final Thoughts

The exact year we will not have enough water to meet our needs is difficult to predict. It depends on several factors, including population growth, climate change, and water management practices.

However, the World Resources Institute says, by 2040, nearly half of the world's population will live in water-stressed areas. This means there will not be enough water in these areas to meet the needs of people and ecosystems in these areas. 

Climate change is expected to make the water crisis worse. As the planet warms, it will experience more extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods. These events will disrupt water supplies and make the situation more challenging.

We have two options:

·      Cut water consumption wherever possible.

·      Use water more efficiently.

The two are interconnected. Only use water where needed, and if required, use it as efficiently as possible.

 Klaus Reichardt, CEO & Founder at Waterless Co Inc. He is widely known as a thought leader and influencer regarding water-related issues. Waterless company helps facilities use water more efficiently, reduce water consumption, and lower operating costs.  

www.waterless.com

Enter A True Cost Saver

Waterless No-Flush™ urinals resemble conventional urinal fixtures. The only difference is that they save an estimated 35,000 gallons of water per year.

These easy-to-install urinals have no flush valves. There are no handles to touch, making them the perfect fixture in this post-pandemic era. They have no costly sensors to install or adjust and no moving parts.

The urinal bowl surfaces are smooth, and urine is removed by flowing down the bowl, helped by gravity alone.

And because the surface stays dry, no water deposits develop, no bacteria or similar contaminants grow, and odor problems are eliminated.

And, with ever-increasing water and sewer costs, Waterless No-Flush urinals have proved themselves to be tremendous energy and money savers – fitting in perfectly in our increasingly sustainability-focused world.

For more information, visit www.waterless.com or call toll-free: 800-244-6364