How Much Water Do Airports Use? A Look at Major US Hubs

Image by Jess Hoots Found on Pixabay

Water Use at Airports

• Scale: Large international airports are among the biggest non-municipal water users.

• Consumption Levels:

• Annually: ~132 million gallons to over 1 billion gallons

• Daily: ~400,000 to 3 million gallons (1.4–11 million liters)

Major Areas of Use

• Restrooms: Biggest share — toilets, urinals, and sinks (all potable water).

• Other Uses:

• Drinking fountains and restaurants

• Cleaning (floors, terminals, windows, aircraft)

• Cooling/HVAC systems (chillers, cooling towers)

• Landscaping and irrigation

• Specialized uses — aircraft de-icing and fire suppression

Why So High?

• Airports function like large cities, combining aspects of office buildings, malls, industrial facilities, and public infrastructure.

• Much of the water use isn’t for planes directly, but for the passengers and facilities that serve them.

Conservation Efforts

Airports are adopting strategies to reduce reliance on local water supplies, including:

• Leak detection and repair

• Low-flow or sensor fixtures

• Waterless urinals

• Rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse

• On-site wastewater treatment for irrigation/cooling

• Integrated water resource management tied to regional water stress

• Benchmarking consumption per passenger or aircraft movement

Key Takeaway

Airports consume massive amounts of water, but the majority isn’t for airplanes, the people, facilities, and infrastructure that keep airports running. Increasingly, airports are turning into leaders in sustainable water management through technology and efficiency practices.

About Arizona's Waterless Urinal Mandate

Image on Pixabay by Renne Gossner

Many of our distributors and customers are now contacting us regarding Arizona's waterless urinal law.

Below is a summary of the law.

We are sharing this because other regions of the country are now considering similar legislation using Arizona's law as a model.

Legislative History

In spring 2004, the Arizona Legislature approved Senate Bill 1275, directing that all new state-owned buildings must install waterless urinals.

A waterless urinal uses no water and has no flush handles, manual or automatic. The technology enables urine to flow into a cylinder located at the base of the urinal and then into a sewer drain. This prevents restroom odors.

More information is below.

The law took effect on January 1, 2005, and applies to every agency facility, university building, veterans' home, prison, and office complex that was erected or fully renovated after that date.

Core Requirements

• All new state buildings or major renovations must specify waterless urinals in plumbing plans.

• Existing facilities undergoing minor upgrades are exempt from full renovation until the upgrades are complete.

• The Arizona Department of Administration was charged with updating its Facility Standards Manual to incorporate these fixtures and training specifications for maintenance staff.

How Waterless Urinals Work

• They use a mechanical trap or an oil-based sealant cartridge to prevent odors, rather than flushing water.

• Typical cartridges last 3–12 months before replacement, depending on the no-water urinal selected.

• No water line is tied to the fixture; only a small drain connection is required.

Mandated Building Types

• All new Arizona state government buildings after the mandate’s effective date, including:

• University buildings

• Prisons and detention centers

• Veterans’ homes

• State office complexes

• Agency facilities

Renovations Covered

• Major renovations: Any full renovation of a state-owned building after January 1, 2005, required waterless urinal installation in restroom plumbing plans.

• Minor upgrades: Buildings undergoing partial or minor upgrades were exempt until a full renovation was undertaken.

Facilities Not Covered

• The law does not cover privately-owned buildings, schools not owned by the state, or federal buildings (unless the federal government or Department of Defense voluntarily applied similar standards).

• Local government buildings (county or city) and private sector facilities were not included unless they adopted their own mandates or rebate programs.

Water-Savings Impact

• Each waterless urinal saves an average of 1 gallon per flush cycle.

• For a moderate-traffic building (5 urinals, 200 uses per day), annual savings can exceed 365,000 gallons of potable water.

• Statewide, the project estimates that up to 200 million gallons will be saved per year once fully implemented.

Cost & Maintenance Considerations

• Initial fixture costs are comparable to those of a standard urinal.

• Installation costs are typically lower because no water-delivery piping is needed.

• The payback period typically ranges from 2 to 4 years, depending on facility usage and local water rates.

• Cartridge replacements cost $15–$40 each, depending on the brand selected; annual cleaning and maintenance training is folded into existing custodial contracts.

Arizona Implementation Timeline & Follow-Up

1.    January 1, 2005: Mandate begins for all design bids.

2.    2005–2006: Pilot installations at five major universities and the state capitol complex.

3.    2007: Performance review found odor complaints under 1% and full payback achieved at high-use sites.

4.    Since 2008, waterless urinals have become standard in every new state project.

Beyond Arizona, several other western states studied similar mandates by 2010, and many municipal governments have since offered rebates to encourage retrofits in private buildings.

For more information or questions, please contact Waterless Co. Inc.

GOOD NEWS: The Quiet Revolution Saving Millions of Gallons of Water

Image by Felicia Buitnwerf on Unsplash

Waterless urinals are experiencing an unprecedented surge across Fortune 500 companies, major universities, and healthcare systems nationwide, as facility managers discover they can slash water consumption by over 1 million gallons annually with a single, strategic retrofit.

The numbers are staggering:

Each waterless urinal saves 26,000 gallons per year—enough water for an average American family of four for two months. Scale that across a typical corporate campus with 50 urinals, and you're looking at 1.3 million gallons saved annually equivalent to filling two Olympic swimming pools.

"We're witnessing a fundamental shift in how building operators think about water efficiency," says Klaus Reichardt, CEO of Waterless Co., Inc., the company that pioneered waterless urinal technology in North America. "What started as a niche environmental solution has become an essential tool for meeting aggressive sustainability targets."

Driving Waterless Urinal Adoption

Three converging forces are propelling waterless urinals from curiosity to necessity:

Rising Water Costs: Commercial water rates have increased 40% over the past decade in major metropolitan areas, making every gallon count toward bottom-line savings.

Regulatory Pressure: New environmental mandates in California, New York, and other states are requiring dramatic reductions in commercial water usage, with hefty penalties for non-compliance.

Tenant Demands: Younger tenants are increasingly selecting office spaces based on verified sustainability credentials, not just square footage and location.

But There’s More: The Hidden Benefits

The environmental impact extends far beyond the bathroom. Traditional urinals consume massive amounts of energy—from pumping water to treating wastewater. Eliminating flushing systems removes facilities from this entire energy-intensive cycle.

Maintenance teams are reporting unexpected operational advantages. Without standing water, waterless urinals eliminate the breeding grounds for bacteria and biofilm that plague traditional fixtures. The result? Cleaner facilities using fewer harsh chemicals and requiring less frequent deep cleaning.

"Our custodial costs dropped 30% in the first year after installation," reports a facilities manager at a major West Coast tech company who requested anonymity. "The units practically maintain themselves."

The Green Certification Advantage

For property managers chasing LEED, WELL, and other green building certifications, waterless urinals represent low-hanging fruit with maximum impact. Water reduction credits directly support certification goals that can increase property values by 10-15% and attract premium tenants.

"These certifications have evolved from nice-to-have marketing tools to essential competitive advantages," Reichardt explains. "Waterless urinals offer one of the most cost-effective paths to meaningful points."

Why the Time Has Come for Waterless Urinals

Waterless urinals aren't new—Reichardt's company introduced them to North America in 1991. But a confluence of economic, environmental, and regulatory pressures has transformed them from an alternative solution into an essential upgrade.

"We're at an inflection point," Reichardt observes. "Climate realities, water scarcity, and economic pressures have aligned to make water conservation not just responsible, but profitable. Every gallon saved today is both an environmental victory and a competitive advantage."

As drought conditions intensify across the American West and water infrastructure reaches capacity limits nationwide, the humble waterless urinal may represent something much larger: proof that the most impactful environmental solutions often hide in the most unexpected places.

About Waterless Co., Inc.
Founded in 1991 and based in Vista, California, Waterless Co., Inc. pioneered waterless urinal technology in North America and has become the leading innovator in water-efficient restroom solutions. The company's comprehensive product line includes waterless urinals, specialized cleaning solutions, and water-saving accessories.

Company: Waterless Co., Inc.
Web: www.waterless.com

Waterless Urinals: Your Guide to Smart, Sustainable Restrooms

If you're looking for ways to make your building eco-friendlier while saving money, here’s one way to do it: install waterless urinals.

But maybe you're curious about how they work or wondering if they're right for your facility. Let's dive into this innovative technology that's helping facilities around the world reduce their environmental footprint and cut costs all at the same time.

How Do Waterless Urinals Actually Work?

The beauty of this technology lies in its elegant simplicity. Think of it as key components working together seamlessly.

The Basin Does Its Job. Just like a conventional urinal, the waterless version has a sloped basin that guides urine down to the base of the urinal. Gravity does all the work.

Where the Magic Happens. Here's where things get interesting. At the bottom sits a special cylinder (the trap) that acts like a one-way valve. It lets urine flow down to your building's sewer line while keeping unpleasant odors from floating back up into your restroom.

The Secret Ingredient: The Liquid Sealant.  Inside the trap is a specially formulated liquid that's lighter than urine and completely biodegradable. Picture it floating on top like oil on water, creating a perfect seal that blocks odors while still allowing liquids to pass through.

The Simple Flow Process. When someone uses the urinal, the urine naturally flows below this floating sealant layer due to its higher density. It then flows into your drainage system just like it would with a traditional urinal. The whole process is self-sustaining – no electricity, no water, no complicated mechanisms.

Why Your Wallet (and the Planet) Will Thank You

Believe it or not, waterless urinals have been around since the mid-1800s, but they really took off in the U.S. market in the 1990s thanks to pioneers like Waterless Co., Inc. Here's why they're making such a splash:

Water Savings That Add Up Fast. We're talking about serious water efficiency and conservation here. Each waterless urinal can save you between 26,000 to 35,000 gallons of water every single year – that's according to the EPA. If you run a large office building or school, you could be looking at millions of gallons saved annually. Your water bill will definitely notice the difference!

Your Maintenance Team Will Love You. Without all those flush valves, sensors, and moving parts that traditional urinals have, there's simply less that can break down with a waterless urinal in place. This means fewer service calls (usually NO service calls), less downtime, and more money staying in your pocket.

Installation Made Simple. The plumbing requirements are much more straightforward, which translates to faster installation times and lower upfront costs. Your contractor will appreciate the simpler job, and you'll appreciate the savings.

Are They Right for You?

Waterless urinals are about making a smart investment in your building's future. You'll be meeting sustainability goals that matter more than ever to employees, customers, and stakeholders, while also seeing real financial benefits month after month.

The technology has proven itself to be reliable and effective across thousands of installations. It's one of those rare solutions where doing good for the environment also means doing good for your bottom line.

Ready to take the next step toward more sustainable, cost-effective restroom management? Waterless urinals might just be the upgrade your facility has been waiting for.

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. 

Keeps Restrooms Smelling Clean and Fresh

Hunting for restroom odors? Hunt no more.

All-too-often, their coming from the floor drain.

In most restrooms, the water trap seal in the floor drain prevents odors from escaping. But the water can evaporate, and if it is not replenished, odor problems develop.

This is where EverPrime™ comes in.

EverPrime, marketed by Waterless™ Co, LLC, is a simple solution to prevent restroom odors.  Just add a gallon of water to the drain to replenish the water seal, and then add three ounces of EverPrime to the drain. It's that easy.

As long as no additional large amounts of water are poured down the drain, EverPrime lasts and lasts and lasts, providing a long-term solution to an all to common problem - restroom odors!

Thirsty Giants: Water Use at Major Airports

Image on Pixabay by Jess Hoots

Major international airports are among the largest non-municipal consumers of water, drawing on local supplies for sanitation, terminal and aircraft cleaning, cooling/HVAC, landscaping, de-icing and fire-suppression systems.

While exact figures vary widely by airport size, climate and operational practices, typical annual water consumption falls into the following ballpark:

• 132 million gallons to over one billion gallons per year.

• Roughly 400,000 to as much as three million gallons per day.

• Equivalent to 1.4–11 million liters daily

So, why is water consumption so high in airports?

Is it to maintain the hundreds of aircraft flying into and out of the airport each day?

The answer might surprise you. Just as in most commercial buildings, a large amount of this water is used in restrooms – to flush toilets, urinals, and running the faucet. And this is all potable water, meaning it can be used for human consumption and well as unneeded purposes like flushing urine down a urinal.

Beyond water consumption in restrooms, most of the water used in airports goes to the following:

·       Drinking fountains and restaurants in the airport.

·       Regular washing of floors, windows, gates, and planes. In this case, both potable and non-potable water is often used.

·       Cooling and HVAC systems also consume high volumes of water. Evaporative cooling towers and chillers are used in most airports to maintain comfortable temperatures

·       Landscaping and irrigation come in next.  Interestingly, commercial facilities in suburban areas use most of their water for landscaping. However, most airports purposely have limited landscaped areas to ensure security.

·       Finally, there are specialized uses of water at an airport.  Large amounts of water are used to de-ice planes or for fire suppression. *  

Flying Toward Water Efficiency

Fortunately, airports are adopting a range of strategies to curb water use and bolster resilience:

• Leak detection and rapid repair to prevent losses that can reach up to 50% in aging networks

• Installation of low-flow fixtures and sensor taps

• Replacing water-using urinals with waterless urinals

• Harvesting rainwater and treating greywater for non-potable needs

• On-site wastewater treatment and reuse for landscaping or cooling towers

• Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) planning to align airport systems with regional water stress considerations

Further, by benchmarking consumption per passenger or per aircraft movement, airports can set targets and track progress—turning themselves into local leaders in sustainable water stewardship.  

Klaus Reichardt, founder and CEO of Waterless Co. LLC in Vista, California, is a recognized authority on water conservation. Since 1991, he has led the company to innovate plumbing products like the Waterless No-Flush urinal, which operates entirely without water.

To contract Klaus, click here

*These statistics can vary considerably based on a variety of factors.      

The AI Perspective on Waterless Urinals

What does artificial intelligence (AI) think about waterless urinals? We asked an AI system about these water-saving fixtures, and its responses highlighted several key benefits, including hygiene, water conservation, and ease of installation.

Hygiene and Sanitation

According to the AI, waterless urinals are a smart way to boost hygiene in any restroom. Since they don't use a flushing mechanism, they naturally reduce the spread of germs. Without a flush, there's no splash back, which minimizes splatter and keeps surfaces cleaner. The AI system also noted that waterless urinals help reduce restroom odors, further improving sanitation. Essentially, with a waterless urinal, you just aim and wash your hands afterward, and the fixture handles the rest.

Water Conservation and Cost Savings

The AI pointed out that waterless urinals are highly effective at conserving water. While the exact numbers can vary, a single waterless urinal can save thousands of gallons of water annually. This significant water reduction can also lead to noticeable savings on your monthly water bill. The AI estimated that one urinal could save around $50 per year in water costs, making them a great way to save both money and a vital resource.

Installation and Function

The AI system explained that waterless urinals are easy to install in a variety of locations, from public facilities to private homes. They can be integrated with existing plumbing, and the installation process is straightforward.

Waterless urinals function using an engineered trap system. This system collects and holds liquid without the need for flushing. The waste is stored until it reaches a certain level, then it's released into the drain. This mechanism is key to their water-saving design.

The Future of Restrooms?

The AI concluded that waterless urinals represent the future of hygiene. Because they don't require any physical contact with a flushing handle or button, they offer a touch-free and more sanitary experience. If you're looking for an effective way to improve hygiene and conserve water - and use water more efficiently - in your home or business, installing a waterless urinal is a great option to consider.

BlueSeal – Our Long-Lasting Biodegradable Trap Seal Liquid

BlueSeal® is an innovative, long-lasting, and biodegradable trap seal liquid designed for waterless urinals.

This eco-friendly solution provides superior odor control while reducing maintenance costs and environmental impact.

Key Features & Benefits

Superior Odor Control

BlueSeal features a specific gravity lower than water or urine, allowing it to float on the surface and create an effective seal that blocks trap odors. The liquid remains in the trap for extended periods.

Other Benefits

• Zero evaporation at temperatures up to 100°F (38°C)

• Freeze-resistant down to -70°F (-57°C)

• Eliminate or reduce costly urinal winterization procedures

• Maintains effectiveness in extreme temperature conditions

• Remains indefinitely in waterless traps that are rarely used

• Reduces maintenance frequency and costs

BlueSeal is also biodegradable and compatible with most commercially available cleaners

Plus, it is simple to apply.  Just follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

For more information, contact Waterless Co., Inc. here.

Keeping Your Customer's Facility Smelling Fresh This Winter

Winter months are around the corner, and they are often cold and dry, the perfect scenario for causing floor drains to dry up. This can result in the release of toxic sewer gases into your customer's facility.

Custodial workers often pour water, or bleach down drains to prevent this. However, this is a temporary fix, and bleach can be harmful to the user and the environment.

A more professional, effective, and certainly inexpensive option is  EverPrime from Waterless Co, Inc. Just mix three ounces of EverPrime in a gallon of water and you’re all set.

EverPrime is biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and long-lasting. It's not impacted by extreme heat or cold, and most importantly, it doesn't evaporate.

This means you can trust it to prevent noxious sewer gases from escaping into your customers’ restrooms and spreading throughout their facility.

Your satisfied customer will say, “job well done.”

For more information about how EverPrime, visit www.waterless.com or call toll-free 800-244-6364 today.

The Many Benefits of Water Savings and Water Efficiency

📝The Water Savings Domino Effect

Organizations are adopting waterless urinals to reduce water consumption, lower utility costs, and comply with environmental regulations.

Replacing a conventional urinal with a waterless unit can save approximately 26,000 gallons of water annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

✋In facilities with multiple urinals, the collective water savings can be substantial, equivalent to filling multiple Olympic-sized swimming pools. Other benefits include the following:

💰Lower Costs: Organizations benefit from reduced utility and maintenance bills because waterless urinals have fewer moving parts and don’t rely on water or energy-intensive flushing and treatment systems.

🌍Environmental Advantages: These urinals decrease wastewater, lower energy consumption, and reduce the need for chemicals in cleaning and water treatment. They also help conserve natural water sources and reduce carbon emissions.

🧹Improved Hygiene & Ease of Maintenance: Without standing water, odor and biofilm buildup are inhibited, making custodial work easier while promoting a more sanitary restroom environment.

🏛️Green Building & Accreditation: Installing waterless urinals can help facilities meet LEED, WELL, and other sustainability certification goals, potentially influencing tenant and investor decisions.

🌱💪🌻Sustainability Leadership: By adopting waterless urinals, organizations boost their reputation, show environmental responsibility, and promote global water awareness.

>Let’s always remember that every gallon saved supports both operational efficiency and global environmental health, positioning waterless urinals as a smart, scalable sustainability solution.

👨‍💼Klaus Reichardt, founder and CEO of Waterless Co. Inc. in Vista, California, is a recognized authority on water conservation. Since 1991, he has led the company to innovate plumbing products like the Waterless No-Flush urinal, which operates entirely without water.