Why should we install waterless urinals?
- By Klaus Reichardt
- 10/01/19
Determining the need for waterless
urinals depends on the number of males
using the building. Also, if new construction
or a restroom renovation is involved. If new
construction, there are few reasons not to
install no-water urinals. If a retrofit, and 10
or fewer males use the facility, the return on
the investment may not prove worthwhile
at this time. But with rising water and sewer
rates, reconsideration may be necessary at a
future date.
When looking at installation and
maintenance costs, no-water urinals usually
cost less to install than traditional fixtures
because no flush valves or water lines are
involved. Overall, the return on investment can
vary, depending on the number of users, water
and sewer rates, and the age of the urinals.
Waterless urinals range in price from $250 to
$500 per unit. In most cases, the return on
investment is about two years or less.
If you are concerned with odor issues,
most waterless urinals have cartridges
installed in the base of the fixture. Filled with
barrier fluids, these cylinders suppress odors
and block vapors. Proper cleaning will help
prevent odors. Be aware that some cartridges
are costly and must be replaced fairly often,
but others are relatively inexpensive and
last longer. Investigate the different systems
available before selecting your waterless
urinals.
Also, if sustainability is an objective,
installing waterless urinals can earn you
LEED points. The LEED rating system offers
up to five points (out of approximately 32
required) toward certification for buildings
that incorporate measures to reduce water
usage. Installing waterless urinals is often one
of the easiest and most significant ways to
accomplish this.
This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management October 2019 issue of Spaces4Learning.
About the Author
A frequent speaker and author on water conservation issues, Klaus Reichardt is founder and CEO of Waterless Co. Inc.(www.waterless.com), based in Vista, CA. Reichardt founded the company in 1991 with the goal to establish a new market segment in the plumbing fixture industry with water efficiency in mind. The company manufactures restroom and plumbing-related products.