University flushes costs with waterless urinals
Once all the waterless urinals have been installed, it is estimated that the school will save as much as 40,000 gallons of water and $114 per urinal per year. According to Klaus Reichardt, managing partner of Vista, Calif.-based Waterless Co. LLC, which manufactured the urinals, the savings will result in a return on the school’s investment within three years.
Waterless urinals were selected over conventional urinal systems because the school believes that they offer several benefits. UCSB Campus Sustainability Manager Perrin Pellegrin explained that in addition to being more sustainable, the waterless urinals are more hygienic than touch-and-flush urinals because they are more bacteria-resistant, which also helps prevent odors.
Waterless urinals use the patented and recyclable EcoTrap placed at the bottom of the urinal. The trap prevents sewer gases from being released. A biodegradable liquid sealant, BlueSeal, blocks urine odor from returning into the restroom.
The university now is considering requiring all new campus buildings to install waterless systems instead of traditional flush systems.
Waterless Co. LLC provided this case history.