Water Efficiency: A Pathway to Long-Term Cost Savings

Water efficiency is a term many are now familiar with. Its core principle lies in the long-term reduction of water consumption using specific products, methods, and procedures. This isn't about temporary cutbacks during a drought; it's a sustainable strategy for managing operating costs and saving money for years to come.

A prime example of this is the installation of waterless urinals. Such an upgrade immediately eliminates the need for thousands of gallons of water per unit, delivering both immediate and ongoing water and cost savings.

Understanding this long-term approach, let's explore how water efficiency translates into financial benefits for both homes and commercial facilities:

1. Lower Water Bills:

The most direct financial advantage of water efficiency is a noticeable decrease in utility bills. By installing water-saving fixtures like the urinals just mentioned, low-flow faucets, high-efficiency toilets, and water efficient showerheads, property owners can achieve significant reductions in water usage.

While calculating precise savings in a commercial building can be multifaceted due to variables like building usage and occupancy, the impact on a household is more straightforward to illustrate.

Consider a four-person household where daily water use per person is reduced from 40 gallons to 26 gallons per day through water-efficient upgrades and practices. This change can lead to an annual water bill reduction of approximately 30 percent, a savings that will increase as water costs rise.


2. Increased Property Value and Market Appeal

Water-efficient properties hold a distinct financial edge that resonates with environmentally aware and budget-conscious buyers.

Consider two otherwise identical homes, each listed at $250,000.

  • House A features water-efficient fixtures and landscaping, resulting in a 30 percent lower water consumption and annual water bills of $600.

  • House B, with standard fixtures and traditional landscaping, incurs annual water costs of $850—an extra $250 each year and more as water costs rise.

This means that for over five years, the owner of House A saves $1,250 in water costs ($3,000 compared to $4,250 for House B). This tangible, ongoing saving adds immediate value.

For prospective buyers comparing similar properties, this water efficiency offers a significant competitive advantage. The home with lower operating costs, environmental responsibility, and insulation against rising water rates becomes a far more attractive investment in today's resource-conscious market.

These same principles apply to commercial properties, where the financial savings can be even more substantial.

3. Lower Energy Expenses

A frequently overlooked benefit of water efficiency is reduced energy consumption. Using less water—through water efficient showerheads, faucets, dishwashers, and other appliances—directly translates to lower gas and electricity bills.

The most significant energy savings stem from decreased demand for hot water. One study indicated that homeowners could cut their annual gas and electricity bills by about 10% simply by installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances. The same research found that just installing a water-efficient washing machine alone could save up to $80 annually on energy costs.

For facility managers, integrating energy-efficient water systems into new or existing buildings substantially cuts operational costs and improves the facility's overall energy performance rating over the long term.

So, here’s our takeaway: Investing in water efficiency yields multiple benefits:

·       It lowers monthly utility bills

·       Boosts property values

·       Lessens environmental impact

·       Can attract buyers and tenants.

Facilities of all kinds can realize immediate cost savings and gain protection against future rate hikes by adopting water-efficient products. As water prices continue to rise and regulations become stricter, prioritizing water efficiency is both a financially smart and environmentally responsible choice for the future.

-Klaus

Which of the Following are the Most Water Efficient States in the United States?

Take Our Poll on LinkedIn

Water efficiency refers to the long-term reduction of water consumption using specific products, methods, and procedures.

Which of the states below, according to recent studies, have done the most to be water efficient?

New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas

California, Texas, and Arizona

Alaska and the Dakotas

Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio

VOTE HERE:

https://tinyurl.com/peh6mwhc

Say Goodbye to Uric Acid Scale in Urinals

Vista, CA – NEWS - Uric acid scale is a mineral build-up commonly found in urinal basins. It forms when urine combines with flush water, making it primarily an issue with conventional flush urinals rather than waterless models.  

“This scale most often accumulates directly underneath waterspouts and water disbursement rims in urinals, creating both an unsightly appearance and unpleasant odors,” says Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc., a leading marketer of waterless urinals.

“The scale can also build up on the floors directly below the urinal.”  

Cleaning professionals consider removing this scale one of their most challenging cleaning tasks. Making matters worse, the longer the scale remains on the urinal or the floor below, the more difficult it becomes to remove.  

Ineffective Cleaning Methods

Standard cleaning products are usually not effective against uric scale:

  • Regular all-purpose spray cleaners, sanitizers, and disinfectants fail to dissolve the deposits

  • Scrubbing with powder cleaners and scouring pads can damage the urinal's inner bowl glazed surface and water disbursement rims.

Effective Solution: Enzymatic Cleaners

Enzymatic cleaners are often the most effective cleaning solution because they:

  • They effectively break down uric acid scale, mineral deposits, and related odors

  • Are usually easy to apply

  • Have a neutral pH, making them safe to use per the manufacturer's instructions

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

1.    Wear protective gloves and goggles

2.    Remove any screens and debris from the urinal

3.    Flush the urinal once or twice before cleaning

4.    Apply the enzymatic cleaner thoroughly using a spray cleaner; focus on the problem areas right below the waterspouts

5.    Allow 5-10 minutes for the enzymes to work

6.    Flush and wipe clean

7.    Repeat if necessary (may take 2-3 applications)

Once the uric scale is removed, the urinal can be cleaned as usual using a sanitizing or disinfecting cleaning solution.  

Prevention

Uric acid scale frequently builds up in conventional water-based urinals located in high-traffic restrooms, according to Reichardt.  

“Although this cleaning method will help address this cleaning challenge, purchasing patterns reveal [that] the third most common reason [why] waterless urinals are selected for men’s restrooms, directly behind saving water and cost savings, is to eliminate this uric acid scale problem.”

 ###

Keywords: uric acid; removing uric scale; urinals; mineral build-up; conventional flush urials; waterless urinals; cleaning professionals

 

About Waterless  

Waterless Co., Inc. is a family-run business founded in 1991 and is a leader in promoting water efficiency. Based in Vista, CA, the company's product range includes various waterless urinals for home and commercial settings, liquid plumbing solutions, and cost-saving accessories, reflecting their focus on sustainability and innovation in water-saving technologies.

 

Contact Information  

Waterless Co. Inc.

1050 Joshua Way
Vista, CA 92081 USA
800.244.6364

sales@waterless.com

EverPrime: Eliminate Floor Drain Odors

The Problem

Most facilities experience unpleasant odors from floor drains in restrooms, warehouses, public areas, and confined spaces. These odors occur when the water seal in drain traps evaporates due to:

  • Lack of regular water flow

  • Infrequent floor mopping

  • Rapid evaporation in dry climates

The Solution

EverPrime® is a specialized sealing liquid that creates a long-lasting barrier in floor drain traps, preventing odors from escaping.

Simple Application

1.    Add just three ounces of EverPrime® to drain

2.    Then avoid pouring large amounts of water down the drain giving the product time to work

3.    That's it! No more odors!

Key Benefits

  • Easy to apply

  • Long-lasting protection

  • Cost-effective solution

  • Works in virtually all drains

  • Biodegradable

Perfect For

  • Floor drains

  • HVAC condensation traps

  • Unused shower traps

  • Any drain with infrequent water flow

EverPrime® creates a seal that won't evaporate like water. Apply every few months as needed and forget about drain odors for good!

Customer Review Summary

The product effectively eliminates odors from floor drains, with customers highlighting several key points:

  • Easy to use and works quickly

  • Many customers were unaware floor drains could release odors

  • Best applied when drains are not in use

  • Avoid mopping floors or using showers shortly after application for best results

  • Appreciate that the product is relatively inexpensive

  • Requires reapplication approximately every three months for continued effectiveness especially in dry climates.

Analysis of Market Trends for Waterless Urinals

Waterless Urinals Installed in the Mercedes Stadium in Atlanta

A recent study by market research firm Fortune Business Insights provides insights into the waterless or no-water urinal market, predicting trends from 2025 to 2032.

According to the report, waterless urinals allow urine to pass through the urinal bowl into a sealing liquid and then into the waste pipe below. The process has significant benefits such as water conservation and water efficiency, odor control, and environmental friendliness.

The study reports that we can expect to see the newest installations of waterless urinals in the following types of facilities:

  • Shopping centers because they help reduce maintenance costs.

  • Educational facilities, due to an upsurge in water consumption rates.

  • Public transportation, including trains, airplanes, and buses.

  • Tourist destinations, especially in rural areas.

  • Sports venues, where water consumption can be exceedingly high.

  • Religious gathering places include churches, mosques, and temples.

The study also discusses the growing market for waterless urinals in residential and commercial settings, with the "commercial market dominating due to the convenience [of installing waterless urinals], ability to reduce services and maintenance, and the reduction of usage of water."

Even with this expected product growth, the researchers pointed out that many areas of the world that could benefit from no-water urinals are not, simply due to "lack of awareness" of the technology. This is most prevalent in developing and undeveloped parts of the world.'

China, India, and Asia

The study forecasts that in the coming years, the most significant market growth for waterless urinals will be in Asia, particularly China and India.

The researchers went on to explain that the key factors for this include new construction in this part of the world, population growth, and India's goal of installing public restrooms throughout the country. Additionally, major festivals like Diwali (Hindu festival of lights) and the Chinese New Year will further boost demand for these urinals due to their water-saving benefits.

Interestingly, in Europe, the increasing popularity of waterless urinals is driven primarily by large music festivals such as Creamfields, a dance music festival in the UK, and Ultra Europe, a multi-venue music festival. Both events attract thousands of attendees and necessitate efficient restroom solutions.

Along with music festivals, sporting venues are attracting more and more people throughout Europe, necessitating waterless urinals to help reduce water consumption and water waste, installation costs, and ease maintenance concerns.

Our Thoughts

While this study, like many others, indicates considerable growth in the waterless urinal market, our policy has never been to focus on market trends. Instead, we remain committed to providing our customers with high-quality, reliable, and odor-free urinals that save water and money and help protect our most valuable resource: water.

-Klaus

What is Water Harvesting?

Imagine collecting rainwater like farmers harvest crops. That's essentially what water harvesting is. It involves gathering and collecting rainwater from various sources such as rainfall events, surfaces, and even moisture from the air (like dew or fog) so that people, plants, and animals can use it.

Think of it this way: instead of rainwater simply soaking into the ground without necessarily benefitting vegetation, or flowing into street drains where it's often wasted, we collect it.

This collection can be as simple as placing buckets outside to collect water when it rains or as sophisticated as installing complex storage tanks. It's a straightforward and natural way to obtain water and a great way to promote sustainability.

However, just like certain crops thrive in specific climates, the advantages of water harvesting are most significant in particular regions of the country. For example, it wouldn't be very useful in a very dry place like Tucson, Arizona, where there isn't much rain, and any collected moisture would quickly evaporate due to the heat and the dryness of the climate.

On the other hand, water harvesting can be incredibly effective and promote sustainability in areas with more rainfall, such as the Midwest. In these regions, homes, schools, and businesses often have or add water collection systems to take advantage of the rain and moisture. As the cost of potable water continues to rise, these systems not only save water but often become a smart financial decision as well.

Beyond just being sustainable, water harvesting offers several other important benefits:

  • Improve Water Efficiency: By collecting rainwater, we reduce the amount of water we need from local water companies. This leads to a long-term reduction in water consumption and cost savings.

  • Provides Emergency Water Storage: With changing climate patterns causing more frequent and longer droughts, having a supply of harvested water can be a vital backup for farmers, homeowners, and others during water shortages. It also comes in handy after storms and tornados, which have been on the rise.

  • Increases Awareness About Water: In North America, many people still think water is always readily available. However, with increasing dry periods, it's becoming clear that we need to be more mindful and responsible about how we use water. Water harvesting helps us recognize the true value of water.

This increased awareness goes beyond just using less water. It often encourages us to find ways to eliminate water use altogether. For instance, schools and businesses have been eliminating water use by installing waterless urinals for years now, often enjoying dramatic reductions in water consumption.

In industries, this focus on water conservation has led to "process optimization." Engineers analyze how water is used in making products and often discover ways to reduce or even eliminate its use in certain production steps, saving both water and money.

So, in a nutshell, water harvesting is a practical way to collect and reuse rainwater and moisture, offering benefits like water reduction, efficiency, emergency preparedness, and what might be most important, a greater understanding of the importance of water.

-Klaus

What Happens When School Drains Dry Out?

Extended school closures, like three-month summer vacations, can dry out P-traps under drains, releasing harmful sewer gases that pose health risks to children and adults when the building reopens. The following question and answer will help you better understand what is happening.

What are P-Traps?

P-traps are practical devices installed under nearly all drains. They work by:

  • Collecting a small amount of water as it flows down the drain

  • Creating a water seal that blocks sewer gases from entering the room

  • Preventing odors and harmful gases from being released

But P-traps can dry out when:

  • Schools close for extended periods

  • Restrooms or sinks receive very little use

What Creates Sewer Gas?

Sewer gas forms from decomposing human and animal waste. It contains several harmful components such as:

  • Ammonia

  • Methane

  • Hydrogen sulfide

These gases become toxic when inhaled in high concentrations because they can displace oxygen in enclosed spaces. Exposure can cause:

  • Eye irritation

  • Nausea

  • Breathing difficulties

In severe cases, sewer gas exposure in enclosed areas has resulted in fatalities.

Who is at risk?

We are all at risk, but children in schools are more so. That's because they breathe faster than adults, and if the fumes are released from floor drains, they are closer to the source of the problem.

Are there "levels" of sewer gas concentration?

Yes, there are. Here is what we know.

  • Concentrations of 0.0005 parts per million (ppm) can be detected and the odors released smell like burning chemicals or rotten eggs.

  • At 0.01, it can cause nausea and eye discomfort.

  • Fumes from 0.02 ppm to as high as 20 ppm can produce headaches, increase heart rates, impact cognitive abilities, and cause muscle coordination to be lost.

Can pouring water down a smelly drain prevent these problems?

Yes, pouring water down the drain can help, but this solution has two limitations:

1.    It is temporary; the P-trap will likely dry out again quickly

2.    The odor indicates existing exposure; by the time you detect the smell, harmful gases have already been released into the facility.

Are there steps we can take to prevent this problem from happening more permanently?

Yes.

A more permanent solution is EverPrime®. Small amounts of EverPrime prevents drains from drying up for months at a time. It is not impacted by frigid, hot, or dry climates and is very cost-effective.

Why haven't more schools adopted EverPrime?

Despite being effective, cost effective, and patented for more than twenty years ago, awareness of this product among school facility managers and administrators remains low.  To address, EverPrime is accessible through:

·       The Waterless Co., Inc. website

·       Major online retailers

·       Home improvement retailers.

EverPrime is a product that all school boards need to know about. View it as a safe, inexpensive, health-protector for children and staff, helping to address a problem that has become all too common.

-Klaus

Water Audits: It's True. Once Is Not Enough

Since 1957, when the American Water Works Association first investigated "unaccounted-for-water," water audits have become essential for improving water efficiency.

These audits help answer critical questions about where, why, and how water is used in a facility or lost in distribution systems.

While water audits have proven to be one of the most effective ways to promote responsible water resource management, many building owners and managers make a crucial mistake: they conduct audits only once and fail to reassess their water consumption more frequently.

Industry experts typically recommend conducting water audits every two years. Here's why two-year audits are becoming so essential:

Building Dynamics: Buildings have evolved significantly over the years. Rather than serving a single purpose—such as an office building, hotel, or medical facility—they have become multi-functional. Due to the pandemic, even more buildings are adopting multi-purpose roles, resulting in substantial changes in water usage. To comprehensively understand how water is utilized and consumed within a facility, it is imperative to conduct two-year water audits.

Frequency Considerations: While it has been suggested that water audits be conducted biennially, this frequency may be insufficient for high-occupancy buildings or facilities that have recently diversified their functions. In such cases where water demands have changed, water audits may need to be conducted as frequently as every six months.

Changing Climate: According to a CNN report from August 2024, American cities are experiencing unprecedented warming rates, with Las Vegas, San Antonio, Nashville, and Jacksonville, FL, being the most affected. There is typically a direct correlation between rising temperatures and increased water consumption. Due to the changing climate, a water audit conducted in a school, for example, just five years ago, may no longer be relevant to current water consumption levels.

Restroom Upgrades: Most water consumed in a facility is attributed to restroom use.* Fortunately, modern facilities have increasingly installed high-efficiency toilets, which use less water than Federally mandated standards, along with waterless urinals, which do not use any water. Installing these fixtures can lead to significant reductions in water consumption, which can be verified through two-year water audits.

Note: Conduct a water audit before installing high-efficiency toilets or waterless urinals. This way building owners/managers can quantify the water savings and better assess the return on investment for selecting these fixtures.

Regulatory Compliance: Water regulations in the U.S. have fluctuated over the past decade, with changes at both state and federal levels. By conducting two-year audits, building owners and managers can ensure they are still in compliance.

Predictive Water Analysis: Do you know how much your facility's water consumption would change if tenant occupancy dropped from 10 percent to 7 percent? Or increased from 5 percent to 11 percent?

Two-year water audits enable property owners and managers to predict water consumption changes more accurately as occupancy levels fluctuate. This predictive capability offers two key benefits:

·       Ensures appropriate infrastructure is in place to handle expected water demands.

·       Helps forecast business operating costs associated with water consumption.

Decision Making: You can't manage what you can't measure -  and if you can't measure, you can't improve. Utilizing the insights of water audits enables owners and managers to make more informed decisions, improve water efficiency, set realistic water reduction goals, and adjust water-reducing strategies that reflect evolving circumstances.

Building owners and managers should view conducting water audits every two years as standard operating procedure. This practice helps predict operating costs related to water, optimize water usage, enhance efficiency, and identify areas where water use can be reduced or even eliminated. This also addresses the growing environmental and sustainability concerns associated with water.

-Klaus

 

*This is true unless the facility is heavily landscaped.

 
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