Every flush at a urinal takes about 1 gallon (apx. 3.8 litres) of fresh water, given there is no other water supply such as grey water reclaimed from other parts of the building or rainwater that is used.
Waterless technology for urinals is available and its primary benefit is not using water to flush. There are also low flushing urinals available that may provide additional savings over the high water use fixtures of the past. But, waterless urinals definitely take the water savings much further. Waterless urinals don’t flush, they drain by gravity. Their outflow pipes connect to a building’s existing plumbing system.
Besides the water savings, with waterless urinals, no limescale is deposited within the plumbing.
Deodorization is the number one maintenance issue that waterless urinals face. However, filters, urinal blocks and other deodorization methods can control how the urine is disposed of during the draining process. With waterless urinals, there is less need to clean and flush the pipes and cisterns that are connected to the urinals.
In the transition to waterless urinals, existing plumbing needs to be drained and capped.
Some consideration should be given as there could be a higher exposure risk because non-diluted urine is found within the basin of a waterless urinal. In order to protect the person cleaning the urinals, protocols need to be followed to limit skin contact with the urine, avoid splashing, and avoid other ways bodily fluids could come into contact with maintenance workers.
Hair and debris that might get stuck within the components of the waterless urinal might require an overall higher level of on-site maintenance when compared to traditional flushing urinals.
Incorrect cleaning is the most common cause of failure for waterless urinals. Ongoing use of cleaning products containing strong acids, alkalis or bleach will destroy the ‘good’ bacteria in microbiological systems and degrade the gel in barrier systems.
Benefits:
- Reduced cost compared to flushed urinals were maintained or fitted
- Help meet environmental goals by reducing water usage
Savings:
- Water savings can amount up to 15% and 35% of the facility
Web resources:
- Bentley University Ice Arena is Nation’s Most sustainable
- Invista Centre Kingston LEED certification
- How stuff works: Waterless Urinals
