Your EcoTrap Questions Answered Here

As more Waterless Co., Inc. urinals are installed throughout North America, many building administrators are unsure why the EcoTrap is placed at the bottom of these urinals and what functions they provide.

The quick answer is that a Waterless no-water urinal cannot operate properly if the EcoTrap is not installed. This is because it is key to odor control. Without the EcoTrap, fumes from pipes and the sewer – which are both unpleasant and unhealthy - could drift into the restroom. 

🔑 With that said, here are some of the key questions people ask about the EcoTrap:

• Does the EcoTrap need cleaning?
  No. It’s a one-piece unit that doesn’t require opening or special cleaning. It is simply replaced when needed.

• How often should the EcoTrap be replaced?
  Typically, 2–4 times per year, depending on restroom traffic. Each cartridge lasts for about 7,000–10,000 uses.

• How do you know it’s time to change the cartridge?
  The EcoTrap can be compared to a filter. Over time, sediment, hair, and minerals accumulate in the trap. When this happens, the urinal starts draining slowly.

• What role does BlueSeal® liquid play?
  BlueSeal forms a floating barrier inside the EcoTrap that prevents sewer gases from escaping. About 3 ounces lasts for ~2,500 uses, after which it must be replenished.

• Is BlueSeal biodegradable?
  Yes. It’s made of mineral oils, alcohols, and dye, and is fully biodegradable. Biodegradable means the ingredients in BlueSeal break down into simpler, harmless components.

• Do waterless urinals smell?
  Not if maintained properly. Odors are blocked by the EcoTrap and BlueSeal. Additionally, smells can come when the urinal is not thoroughly cleaned or if urine is absorbed into grout or floor beneath the urinal. Waterless Co. will provide cleaning and maintenance instructions with the urinal.

• Do drainpipes clog with Waterless urinals?
  No. Clogging is primarily an issue with water-using urinals.

• Is installation complicated?
  Replacing a traditional urinal with a waterless one usually takes about an hour for a plumber. Time is saved because Waterless urinals normally fit over the old footprint of a water using urinal. Plus, there is less plumbing required, so installation charges are minimized.

• Can EcoTrap be used in competitor urinals?
  Unfortunately, no. Each manufacturer designs cartridges to fit their own urinals. Here is where the concept "buyer-beware comes into play. Some cartridges have a noticeably short life expectancy. On top of that, these same traps are often more costly than the EcoTrap, which is still under $10 to purchase.

⚙️ How does the EcoTrap Works

• Urine flows into the EcoTrap insert.

• It passes through the BlueSeal liquid barrier, which traps odors and gases.

• The liquid and urine overflow into the central tube, draining into the sewer line.

• Sediments are retained in the EcoTrap, which is later replaced using a special tool, a BlueSeal Ipack. ™

🚻 Why These Questions Matter

Understanding these points helps facilities managers and homeowners:

• Keep restrooms odor-free.

• Plan cost-effective maintenance.

• Ensure sustainability by saving water and reducing plumbing issues.

🧾 Below is a ready-to-print one‑page maintenance checklist for the EcoTrap® cartridge in Waterless Co., Inc. urinals. It’s formatted so it can be posted in a janitorial closet or shared with building staff.

🔹 Daily / Routine Care

• Wipe urinal surface with mild, non‑abrasive cleaner

• Check for odors → confirm BlueSeal® level

• Mop floor underneath the urinal carefully (odor often comes from grout, not the trap)

🔹 Weekly Care

• As needed, add 3 oz. BlueSeal® liquid into EcoTrap (2,500 uses per refill)

• Confirm smooth drainage

🔹 Monthly Care

• Monitor for slow drainage or persistent odor

• Track approximate number of uses

🔹 Cartridge Replacement (2–4 times per year)

• Replace when:

• Drainage slows noticeably

• Odor persists despite BlueSeal refill

• Steps:

• Use BlueSeal Ipack™ tool to remove EcoTrap

• Insert new cartridge

• Add fresh BlueSeal liquid

• Dispose of old cartridge with regular waste

🔹 Annual Review

• Inspect plumbing for buildup

• Check supply of cartridges & BlueSeal

• Refresh staff training

📌 Quick Tips

• Never add water to a waterless urinal, only BlueSeal maintains odor barrier

• Avoid harsh chemicals or bleach

• Keep a logbook of refills & replacements

Thankful for Water 💧🦃

Image by Fauxels found on Prexels

This time of year, we gather near,
With hearts full, plates piled high,
To share our thanks for love and light,
And autumn’s painted sky.

But as we pour, and cook, and clean,
Let’s pause—just for a while—
To thank the gift that fills our cups,
And makes the harvest smile.

For every stream that winds and sings,
For rain on roof and field,
For rivers strong and lakes serene,
Whose life we all may yield.

We give our thanks for water’s grace—
So simple, pure, and true,
A gift that flows through every home,
And gives us all anew.

So raise your glass, this thankful day,
To blessings clear and free—
For where there’s water, there is life,
And hope for you and me.

From the Waterless Family to Your Family. Happy Thanksgiving

🥶 Winterizing Camp & Park Plumbing: Prevent Sewer Odors & Keep Drains Working All Season Long

For park and camp administrators in colder regions, winterizing the plumbing system is a critical annual ritual. When water is left sitting in pipes or fixtures, freezing temperatures can cause it to freeze into ice. As ice expands, it places tremendous pressure on pipes, fittings, and fixtures—often causing cracks, ruptures, and costly repairs.

Essential Steps for Winterizing Park & Camp Plumbing

Most facility managers follow this essential winterization sequence to protect their assets:

1.    Shut off the water supply at the source or pump.

2.    Open all taps and leave them open so pipes can fully drain and no vacuum forms.

3.    Flush toilets and urinals to remove standing water.

4.    Turn off and drain the water heater if your system requires it.

Once these steps are complete, the property is typically ready to close for the season.

Reopening Checklist: Don't Forget Drain Maintenance

When parks and camps reopen, the process reverses:

• Turn the water back on.

• Restore the water heater and close its drain.

• Run faucets and flush toilets to clear the lines.

• Check vent stacks for leaves, debris, or blockages.

• Inspect for leaks, as pipes refill and repressurize.

However, there is one critical step many overlook: checking for sewer odors in restrooms, kitchens, locker rooms, and mechanical spaces.

Why Sewer Odors are a Serious Health Risk

Unpleasant smells are more than a nuisance—they often indicate sewer gases entering the building. These fumes can contain bacteria and volatile compounds that may trigger headaches, nausea, and respiratory issues, especially for children and older adults.

The most common cause is a dried-out U-trap (or P-trap)—the curved section of pipe beneath sinks, showers, floor drains, and water fountains. When unused for months, the water in the trap evaporates, allowing sewer gases to escape and causing immediate odor issues upon reopening. This is a key concern for camp drain maintenance.

🛠️ The Fix: How to Prevent Dried Drain Traps and Odors

If the source is a cracked pipe or a failed seal, a plumber will need to make the necessary repairs. But when the issue is simply a dry trap, administrators can take quick, safe action.

Avoid These Common Mistakes:

• ❌ Don’t pour bleach or harsh chemicals into drains—they can create more fumes.

• ❌ Don’t mask odors with sprays or deodorizers.

Do This for Effective Drain Trap Protection:

• Ensure that vent stacks are clear and functioning correctly.

• Pour two cups of water down each drain for temporary relief.

• Use a liquid trap primer. A product like EvepPrime ® from Waterless Co., Inc., is a biodegradable liquid that sits on top of the water in the trap. It significantly slows evaporation—even through extreme winter temperatures—providing months of protection against sewer gas.

Many parks and camps now wisely add a drain trap primer during the fall winterization period. Applying them before closing helps prevent dried traps and the resulting sewer odors when the property is reopened.

Protect Your Facility: A Simple Step in Winterization

Sewer gas odors should always be treated as a health risk. A simple, proactive step during winterizing park plumbing—adding a high-quality liquid trap primer—can help protect indoor air quality, prevent tenant complaints, and avoid unnecessary repair costs when spring arrives.

-Klaus

Image Above by The Happiest Face = ) Found on Prexels

Professional Odor Control in a Bottle

Facility managers often struggle with persistent odors from floor drains in restrooms, mechanical rooms, kitchens, and other low-traffic areas. These smells typically occur when the drain’s trap seal evaporates, trap primers fail, or insufficient water flow allows sewer gases—such as hydrogen sulfide and methane—to enter indoor spaces. Environmental conditions like dry climates, HVAC-driven low humidity, negative air pressure, and winter heating can make the problem worse.

Poor odor control leads to frequent manual inspections, emergency maintenance calls, higher water use, workplace discomfort, and even potential code violations.

EverPrime, marketed by Waterless Co., Inc., offers a simple, long-lasting solution. Its biodegradable oil blend forms a protective barrier on top of the trap’s water seal, preventing evaporation and blocking sewer gas migration. Application requires only three steps: add water to the trap, pour in a small amount of EverPrime, and let it settle.

The barrier remains effective even with infrequent use or fluctuating environmental conditions, making it ideal for schools, hospitals, stadiums, correctional facilities, commercial properties, and seasonal buildings. With reduced maintenance demands and reliable odor prevention, EverPrime delivers a high-ROI, set-and-forget solution.

Learn more about odor prevention here: https://www.waterless.com/everprime-drain-odor-eliminator

AI's Hidden Cost: Water Consumption Set to Quadruple by 2028

AI's Hidden Cost: Water Consumption Set to Quadruple by 2028

Never in the history of this country has demand for water increased so dramatically in such a short time

Vista CA – November 12, 2025 - Artificial intelligence is creating an unprecedented water crisis. Data centers powering AI systems consumed approximately 17 billion gallons of water in 2023, a figure projected to surge to 68 billion gallons by 2028, a nearly 300% increase in just five years.

"Never in the history of this country has demand for water increased so dramatically in such a short time," says Klaus Reichardt, CEO of Waterless Co., Inc. "This will obviously reshape utility costs."

Why AI Needs So Much Water

Data centers require massive amounts of water to cool the processors running AI systems. Each AI interaction, for example a single ChatGPT query, consumes roughly one-fifth of a teaspoon of water. With ChatGPT alone handling over one billion daily interactions, the scale becomes staggering.

The Perfect Storm

The crisis is compounded by location. Many data centers are built in the country's driest regions to capitalize on solar power, placing enormous strain on already-limited water supplies.

What It Means for You

As demand begins to spike in 2026, water costs are expected to rise dramatically across affected regions. The laws of supply and demand are simple: when billions more gallons are needed annually, price increases will follow.

 What It Means to Industry

No industry can operate without water, from cleaning to packaging. This means businesses in all industries should also expect to pay more for water in the coming years.

 Solutions

“Obviously, the owners of these AI data centers know something must be done and quick,” says Reichardt.  “However, it will take time. The best thing we can do right now is use water much more efficiently, which is a long-term reduction in water consumption.”

Sources: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the BBC

###

 About Waterless

Waterless Co., Inc. is a family-run business founded in 1991 and is a leader in promoting water efficiency. Based in Vista, CA, the company's product range includes various waterless urinals for home and commercial settings, liquid plumbing solutions, and cost-saving accessories, reflecting their focus on sustainability and innovation in water-saving technologies.

💧 Corporate Water Revolution: Global Brands Leading the Charge in Water Efficiency

The global water crisis is undeniable. By 2030, the UN warns that water demand will outstrip supply by 40%. Compounded by climate change, freshwater scarcity is worsening, leaving as many as two billion people without reliable access to safe water and sanitation.

At Waterless Co., Inc., we believe these stark warnings demand action, not just attention. What's often overlooked is the profound work being done by major corporations—who utilize two-thirds of the world’s freshwater—to tackle this challenge head-on. With the right strategies and commitment, global businesses are proving that significant water efficiency and positive change are possible.

Pioneering Corporate Water Conservation: Case Studies

Global brands are redefining their operations to become stewards of this precious resource.

Levi Strauss & Co.: Disrupting the Denim Industry

It’s a staggering fact: producing a single pair of jeans can consume over 1,000 gallons of water. Acknowledging this massive footprint, Levi's launched Water<Less®.

• This initiative utilizes over twenty proprietary techniques to drastically reduce water use in the finishing process.

• The result? Levi's reports being able to reduce up to 96% of the freshwater typically used in certain denim styles.

• The Impact: Levi's is actively sharing these best practices with other apparel manufacturers, setting a new, collective standard for sustainable clothing production and long-term water reduction—the very essence of water efficiency.

Intel: Restoring Water and Leading in Sustainable Tech

Recent discussions have highlighted the immense water footprint of the technology sector, especially in Artificial Intelligence (AI), where even a single AI-generated email can require significant water for cooling servers.

Intel, a key supplier of chips and components for these AI systems, is not only reducing its consumption but actively restoring water.

• Intel’s operations in the United States, Costa Rica, and India are now officially net-positive on water use. This means they restore and return more freshwater to the local ecosystems than they consume.

• As Intel's Chief Sustainability Officer noted, they were the first tech company to set a public, company-wide water restoration goal, a decade-long commitment to sustainability.

• The Ripple Effect: Just like Levi's, Intel is sharing its water-saving and net-positive strategies with other chip manufacturers. This is creating a global movement toward corporate water stewardship and improved industrial water efficiency.

These are the stories that deserve attention—proof that large-scale corporate commitment can drive profound environmental and operational change.

Your Facility Can Be Part of the Solution. Stop Flushing Money Down the Drain.

Ready to join the movement and dramatically reduce your facility’s water consumption and utility costs?

Waterless Co., Inc. has pioneered innovative water efficiency solutions for over 35 years, helping facilities save millions of gallons annually. Our flagship product:

• Waterless Urinals: These fixtures eliminate up to 35,000 gallons of water waste per unit each year. They turn your restrooms from cost drains into genuine profit centers.

Take the next step toward true water efficiency. Contact a Waterless Co., Inc., specialist today for a free water savings assessment and discover exactly how much your facility can save.

Can We Quench AI’s Thirst Before It Drains the Planet?

Image by Mohammad Usman found on Prexels

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries, but few realize the hidden environmental cost: water consumption. As AI models like ChatGPT become more advanced, the demand for data centers—and the water needed to cool them—continues to rise.

How AI Data Centers Use Water

AI models are powered by massive data centers filled with specialized chips that generate intense heat. To keep these systems running efficiently, modern data centers rely on liquid cooling, which often uses clean, potable water. This water prevents bacteria, clogging, and corrosion, ensuring the longevity of the hardware.

The cooling process works by circulating coolant over the chips, absorbing heat, and transferring it to heat exchangers. Here, water further cools the system. However, cooling towers dissipate heat through evaporation, with up to 80% of the water lost in the process. This significant loss can strain local water supplies, impacting both communities and agriculture.

Community Impact: Global Concerns Over AI’s Water Use

Communities in countries like Spain, India, Chile, Uruguay, and the United States have raised concerns about the stress data centers place on local water sources and electricity grids. Beyond direct cooling, generating electricity for these centers—especially from coal, gas, and nuclear plants—requires even more water, as these plants use water to create steam for turbines.

The Scale of AI’s Water and Energy Consumption

Major tech companies such as Google, Meta, and Microsoft report using billions of liters of water annually for their data centers. However, they rarely specify how much is directly attributable to AI. The International Energy Agency predicts a 400% increase in electricity demand for AI-optimized data centers by 2030—equivalent to the UK’s annual electricity use. Water is also essential in manufacturing AI’s semiconductor chips and refining the raw materials used to build hardware.

Promising Solutions and Innovations

To address these challenges, tech giants have pledged to become water neutral by 2030. The industry is exploring innovative solutions, including:

• Waterless cooling technologies

• Waterless urinals and low water consumption restroom fixtures

• Reusing excess heat to warm homes

• Relocating data centers underwater, in Arctic regions, or even in space

Experts remain hopeful for a more sustainable future, emphasizing the need for society-wide efforts to minimize water and energy use for AI applications.

 Ready to dramatically reduce water consumption and cut costs? Waterless Co., Inc has pioneered water efficiency solutions for over 35 years, helping facilities save millions of gallons annually. Our waterless urinals eliminate up to 35,000 gallons of water waste per fixture each year, turning your restrooms into profit centers, not cost drains.

Stop flushing money down the drain. Contact a Waterless Co Inc. specialist today for a free water savings assessment and discover how much your facility can save.

Source: BBC Report: https://www..com/watch?v=b0C56yqIkbk

🚽 Flush Forward: The Surprising Story of the Bathroom Through the Ages

An AI Mirror Made by AI

Let’s be honest—most of us don’t think much about bathrooms… unless they’re dirty or out of paper. But behind that humble door lies one of the most fascinating social, political, and even technological stories in human history.

Let’s take a quick (and slightly cheeky) trip through time:

2nd Century B.C. – Ancient Rome’s public latrines were truly “open concept.” No stalls, no shame—men, women, and children used them side by side.

1739 – A Paris restaurant broke new ground by offering separate restrooms for men and women.

1866 – The modern urinal was patented by Andrew Rankin, proving innovation can come from anywhere—even plumbing.

1887–1920 – Massachusetts led the charge to require separate facilities for women, and soon 43 other states followed suit.

1890s–1941 – Jim Crow laws segregated public bathrooms by race, a dark reminder that even restrooms weren’t immune from politics—until FDR’s Executive Order ended that practice.

1957 – “Leave It to Beaver” caused a stir—not because of scandalous dialogue, but because a toilet appeared on TV. Unthinkable!

1969 – A California assemblywoman smashed a toilet on the Capitol steps to protest pay toilets. Talk about a bold statement.

1973 – The women’s movement faced an odd rumor: that feminists wanted to eliminate gendered bathrooms. “Do you want the sexes integrated like the races?” one flyer asked. (Spoiler: that wasn’t the goal.)

That same year, “All in the Family” made history with the first toilet flush ever heard on television.

1981 – The University of Massachusetts floated the idea of co-ed bathrooms. Students revolted, and the plan was flushed away.

1990 – Pottygate! A woman fined for using the men’s room at a concert inspired nationwide protests and hundreds of offers to pay her fine.

1991 – Waterless Co., Inc. launched the first waterless urinals in the U.S., bringing water efficiency and sustainability into the restroom. These urinals are now commonplace throughout North America.

1993–2011 – Female lawmakers in Washington finally got restrooms of their own. (Yes, it took that long.)

1998 – “Ally McBeal” made TV waves with its co-ed bathroom—controversial, stylish, and the most talked-about loo on television.

2000s–2010s – Bathrooms went luxury: Jacuzzi tubs, toilet-seat warmers, and Japanese-inspired bidet-toilet combos. Suddenly, bathrooms became spas.

2010s–2020s – Design went touchless, paperless, and even “doorless” in some airports. The pandemic only sped things up.

2023 – Enter the AI mirror: smart, sleek, and maybe just a bit vain—offering style advice, makeup tips, and even your daily headlines.

From shared Roman benches to mirrors that talk back, the bathroom has always been more than a pit stop—it’s a reflection of our culture, technology, and progress.

What’s next? Maybe toilets that know when you’re stressed—or mirrors that remind you to hydrate. Either way, one thing’s certain: the evolution of the bathroom is far from over.

More info: Contact a Waterless Co., Inc, Representative.

The Mystery of the Stinky Science Lab: Whodunit?

Image of Sherlock Holmes by Sidney Paget, Wikipedia, Public Domain,

Picture, or should we say, smell this: A school supervisor walks into a middle school science lab, and the teacher immediately pulls him aside with an embarrassing warning. "Just so you know," she whispers, "the student you'll be sitting next to has a bit of a... gas problem today."

Being a trooper, the supervisor takes his seat anyway. Sure enough, there's definitely an odor situation happening. But here's where our detective story gets interesting—the bell rings, the students file out, and the smell doesn't leave with them.

Suspicious

Now fully in Sherlock Holmes mode, our supervisor begins investigating. He follows his nose to the back of the lab and discovers the true villain of our story: a lonely, neglected sink that nobody ever uses.

The Plot Thickens: What's Really Going On?

Turns out, that innocent-looking sink was harboring a secret. Its drain trap—that curvy pipe underneath - that looks like a J, U, or P - had completely dried out. Normally, these traps hold water that acts like a liquid barrier, keeping nasty sewer gases exactly where they belong: not in your classroom. But when the water evaporates? Those gases throw a party in your lab.

Why You Should Care (Beyond the Obvious)

Yes, no one likes to smell malodors. But in a science lab, this isn't just an "open a window" situation. When sewer gas mingles with chemical fumes, things can get dangerous fast—think explosions or toxic gas creation. Even without chemicals in the mix, these odors mess with people's heads (literally), causing headaches, brain fog, crankiness, and exhaustion. The kicker? This can happen even when you can't smell anything.

The Ridiculously Easy Fix

Here's what usually happens: someone calls maintenance, who shows up with cleaning supplies and bleach, makes a big production of it, and finally runs water down the drain.

Want to know the secret? All you needed was water. Skip the bleach, skip the drama. Just run the tap. The water refills the trap, blocks the gases, and boom—problem solved. (At least until it dries out again.)

But Why Does This Keep Happening

Schools are often empty during breaks, allowing drain traps to dry out and sewer gases to enter. To solve this, many districts use Everprime, which keeps traps from drying out for months and prevents odors from re-occurring when classes resume.

Case closed. Mystery solved. Class dismissed.

Want to banish sewer smells from your building for good? Contact a Waterless Co. Inc., representative now.

Source: Ken Roy, "An Ounce of Preventive Maintenance," Science Scope 38, no. 8 (2015)

💧 The Top 10 Environmental Benefits of Waterless Urinals

💧 The Top 10 Environmental Benefits of Waterless Urinals

Did you know a single conventional urinal can use up to 40,000 gallons of water each year? 😳

Waterless urinals eliminate that waste completely — helping facilities save money 💰, cut energy use ⚡, and protect the planet 🌎. Here’s how:

1️⃣ They Save a Lot of Water

Traditional urinals use 1–3 gallons per flush. Waterless urinals use zero — saving tens of thousands of gallons annually per fixture.

2️⃣ Instant Energy Savings

Less water = less pumping, treating, and heating. The energy savings start on day one. ⚙️

3️⃣ Less Wastewater

No flushing means less water going to treatment plants — reducing the strain on city systems. 🌊

4️⃣ Lower Carbon Footprint

Saving water and energy also reduces the greenhouse gas emissions tied to both. ♻️

5️⃣ Fewer Chemicals in Our Waterways

With less water to treat, fewer chemicals (like chlorine and disinfectants) enter the environment. 🌱

6️⃣ Protects Natural Water Sources

Every gallon saved helps preserve rivers, aquifers, and lakes — the heart of our ecosystems. 🏞️

7️⃣ Cuts Plastic Waste

No need for disposable urinal screens that can take centuries to decompose. 🚫🧴

8️⃣ Frees Up Resources

The water saved can support other essential industries — from food production to clean energy. ⚡🌾

9️⃣ Raises Awareness

Seeing a waterless urinal reminds people every day that small changes make a big impact. 💧

🔟 Good for the Planet and Your Brand

Customers and employees notice sustainability in action. Installing waterless urinals shows leadership — and earns respect. 🌍🙌

✅ Bottom line: Waterless urinals don’t just save water — they make environmental and business sense.

💬 Are you seeing more water-saving fixtures in public spaces or your own facilities? What’s been your experience?

#WaterConservation #Sustainability #FacilityManagement #GreenBuilding #EnergyEfficiency #WaterlessUrinals

Ready to dramatically reduce water consumption and cut costs? Waterless Co., Inc has pioneered water efficiency solutions for over 35 years, helping facilities save millions of gallons annually. Our waterless urinals eliminate up to 35,000 gallons of water waste per fixture each year, turning your restrooms into profit centers, not cost drains.

Stop flushing money down the drain. Contact a Waterless Co Inc. specialist today for a free water savings assessment and discover how much your facility can save.