THINK Waterless | Eliminating Mysterious Odors

Teachers, staff, and custodial workers at an elementary school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, still talk about the day the school reopened from summer vacation in 2023.

The school year ended in May. Custodial workers stayed on the job for a couple of weeks, primarily to refinish floors, clean carpets, and wash down tiles in restrooms. Once they were finished, the school was totally locked down until the first of August.

A few days after reopening, teachers and other staff complained about a malodor emanating from several restrooms. The odor was so foul it filled the corridors and classrooms near the restrooms.

School administrators soon became concerned that the malodors were not only unpleasant but could be a health risk as well. However, they were baffled as to what was causing the odors or where they originated.  

Custodial workers decided to re-clean all the restrooms, even though they had not been used for three months. This time, they used bacteria-killing enzyme cleaning products, which essentially eat odor-causing bacteria. However, the malodor problem persisted. Their next steps were to:

1. Check restroom air fresheners: Ensure any existing systems have functional batteries. A well-functioning system can help maintain a pleasant environment – at least temporarily.

2. Increase airflow: The school was air-conditioned. Administrators increased the amount of air flowing into the restrooms. They also increased airflow the old-fashioned way: they opened windows.

3. Check the janitorial closet: Odors can collect on mops and spread onto floors when mopped. Additionally, they looked to see if any of the cleaning solutions were releasing foul odors.

4. Increased cleaning frequencies. Instead of once per day, the problem restrooms were cleaned twice per day.

The outcome? Nothing worked; the malodors continued.

Looking for a solution, the custodial workers contacted a man they hoped would be their savior. This man had lived in Albuquerque for decades. He knew that due to the city's arid climate, water in the pipes below floor drains and faucets often evaporated in the hot summer months, causing malodor. Here's what he recommended:  

1. Pour a few ounces of EverPrime into each floor drain.

2. Instruct the custodial workers to run faucets for a few minutes.

3. Re-mop all the floors, using plenty of water.  

The procedure worked like magic. The water stored in the drainpipes no longer evaporated, preventing sewer odors from being released into the restrooms. Further, it proved effective regardless of climate conditions and lasted for months.

Problem solved—the savior's secret weapon? Everprime.

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.

How to Introduce a Waterless Urinal to Your Office

If you are returning to the office after working remotely, you may notice some changes in your workplace, and one of them could be in your restroom.

Here, you may encounter a waterless urinal — possibly for the first time — making introductions necessary. Coming face-to-face with a waterless urinal for the first time is frequently met with curiosity as well as a bit of apprehension as no flush valve is present.

To make this introduction and transition to waterless urinals go smoothly and successfully, facility managers need to do their research. Once the decision has been made to install waterless urinals, the easiest and best way to introduce them is via a facility email introducing the urinals and answering some basic questions that might come up.  Among them might be the following:

Why did you install waterless urinals? Start with the health benefits. Waterless urinals are more hygienic than traditional ones because you don’t have to touch anything, and there is no flushing that can spread germs or bacteria into the air.

How do waterless urinals work? The urine flows down the urinal to a special trap or cartridge that prevents odors from escaping. Then, it travels to the sewer system, just like with conventional urinals.

What’s the advantage? While the numbers vary, one waterless urinal can save about 30,000 gallons of water per year. If 10 waterless urinals are installed, that’s 300,000 gallons saved. A waterless urinal uses no water at all, which saves money on water bills and sewer fees and reduces the environmental impact of water use and wastewater treatment.

What about odors? With waterless urinals, should odors occur, it simply means the sealing liquid is depleted and needs to be replenished. Additionally, odor problems may be the result of inadequate cleaning. We will clean all surfaces of the waterless urinals with a sanitizer, which kills most pathogens on a surface. A disinfectant is usually not necessary.

How do I use it? Unbelievably, this is still a common question. The answer is to use it as you would a traditional urinal and then walk away. To get this message across, post signage near the waterless urinals.

What if I don’t like it? It can take time for some men to become accustomed to waterless urinals. But within a week or so, those concerns typically evaporate (excuse the pun). Remember, we are in the introduction stage — men are being presented with a new and different type of restroom fixture. Ask for feedback — it can make the transition go smoother.

There is one more question, and it typically comes from facility managers:

How do we celebrate success? Wait a few weeks. After introductions have been made and there are no more questions about the waterless urinals, a celebration is called for. But here’s how to do it.

Once the waterless urinals have been accepted, communicate how much water is being saved. Finding this information is easy as it’s included in water utility bills. Wait about three months and then compare current and previous water usage; you can expect some jaws to drop when they see the savings. Now you can celebrate.

Here’s the big takeaway: Waterless urinals are a great way to save water and money, but they may require adjustments and cause concerns among your male employees. The tips presented here should help you introduce waterless urinals and address any concerns or questions they may have.

Your goal as a facility manager is to create a positive and supportive work environment for all your tenants, and in the process, you are helping to promote sustainability.  

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

Gemini Whats a Waterless Urinal?

We asked Gemini, Google's new AI technology, to explain what a waterless urinal in simple terms. Here's what it said:

A waterless urinal is just like a regular urinal, but it doesn't use any water to flush away the waste.

There are two main types of waterless urinals:

• Cartridge-based urinals: These have a replaceable cartridge that contains a sealant or liquid that traps the waste and prevents odors. The cartridge needs to be replaced every few thousand uses. (Waterless Co., Inc. markets cartridge-based urinals)

• Trap-based urinals: These use a series of baffles and traps to separate the urine from the air, which prevents odors. Trap-based urinals don't require cartridges, but they may need to be cleaned more often than cartridge-based urinals.

Waterless urinals have several advantages over traditional urinals, including:

• They conserve water: Waterless urinals can save thousands of gallons per year, which can help reduce water bills and conserve this precious resource.

• They are more hygienic: The sealant or trap in waterless urinals helps prevent the spreading of bacteria and other germs.

• They are low maintenance: Waterless urinals don't require flushing, so they require less maintenance than traditional urinals.

• They are environmentally friendly: Waterless urinals help to reduce water consumption and waste, which is good for the environment.

Summary:

Overall, waterless urinals are an excellent option for anyone who is looking to conserve water and reduce their environmental impact.

www.waterless.com

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