Can Cold Showers Help Reduce Sick Days?

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Cold showers are gaining attention as a simple habit that may improve health, boost energy, and even reduce sick days. But do they actually work?

A large study conducted in the Netherlands set out to answer that question. Researchers recruited approximately 3,000 participants and asked them to follow their normal shower routine for 30 days, with one key change: each person ended their shower with 30, 60, or 90 seconds of cold water.

Cold Showers and Sick Days

At the end of the study, researchers analyzed workplace attendance data and found a compelling result. Participants who added cold water to their routine reported nearly 30 percent fewer sick days compared to those who continued taking only warm showers.

Interestingly, the length of the cold exposure—whether 30, 60, or 90 seconds—did not significantly affect the outcome. All groups experienced similar reductions in absenteeism.

These findings suggest that even a short burst of cold water may deliver measurable benefits.

Why Cold Showers May Boost Health and Energy

The cold water used in the study was around 50°F, much lower than the typical U.S. shower temperature of approximately 106°F. Despite the temperature difference, many participants adapted quickly and reported positive effects.

According to lead researcher Dr. Geert A. Buijze, cold showers may stimulate the body’s fight-or-flight response. This reaction triggers the release of hormones, increases heart rate, and elevates metabolism—all of which can contribute to improved alertness and energy levels.

Participant feedback reinforces this idea. Nearly two-thirds of individuals in the study said they continued taking cold showers after the trial ended because they felt more energized and refreshed.

Energy Savings and Environmental Benefits

In addition to potential health benefits, cold showers can significantly reduce household energy use. Heating water is one of the largest energy expenses in most homes.

Klaus Reichardt, CEO of Waterless Co., estimates that a person taking cooler showers could spend about $50 per year on energy, compared to more than $200 annually for someone who consistently takes hot showers.

Reducing hot water use not only lowers utility bills but also decreases greenhouse gas emissions associated with water heating. For sustainability professionals and environmentally conscious consumers, this makes cold showers a small but impactful behavior change.

A Simple Habit with Multiple Benefits

While cold showers are not a replacement for medical care, the evidence suggests they may help improve daily energy levels, reduce sick days, and lower energy costs. With no equipment required and minimal time investment, ending your shower with cold water is an easy habit to test.

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How to Protect Outdoor Workers During Extreme Heat Waves

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Extreme weather events are no longer occasional disruptions—they are the new operational reality. Since the 1960s, the frequency and intensity of severe heat waves have escalated dramatically. What used to be brief spells of high temperatures now routinely stretch into prolonged, multi-week crises, drastically increasing dangerous heat exposure for outdoor workforces.

For employers, this shift demands a proactive approach. Implementing a comprehensive heat illness prevention program is no longer just a regulatory recommendation; it is a critical requirement for workplace safety and operational continuity.

Six Critical Heat Safety Strategies for Employers

To effectively mitigate the risks of high-temperature environments, businesses must transition from reactive measures to structured, multi-faceted safety protocols.

1. Implement Continuous Temperature Monitoring and Thresholds

Do not rely on guesswork. Designate a safety officer to actively track real-time weather data, heat indexes, and wet-bulb globe temperatures (WBGT). Establish hard environmental thresholds where outdoor labor must be modified, paused, or moved indoors to prevent severe medical emergencies like heat stroke.

2. Establish Worker Acclimatization Programs

Sudden exposure to intense heat is a leading cause of occupational heat illness. Protect new, temporary, or returning employees by implementing a gradual heat tolerance schedule. Slowly scaling up their workload over a 7-to-14-day period allows the body to physiologically adapt to hot environments, significantly reducing the risk of sudden heat stress.

3. Conduct Comprehensive Heat Stress Training

Education saves lives. Ensure your entire workforce can identify the progressive warning signs of heat-related illnesses.

• Early Symptoms: Muscle cramps, heavy sweating, headaches, and dizziness.

• Severe Signs: Confusion, slurred speech, and fainting (which indicate a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention).

4. Shift to Flexible, Heat-Aware Scheduling

In vulnerable regions like the American Southwest, traditional 9-to-5 schedules can be hazardous. Optimize your project timelines by shifting strenuous outdoor tasks to the coolest parts of the day—such as early morning or late evening—and wrapping up high-exposure activities before mid-afternoon peaks.

5. Provide Accessible Hydration and Cooling Stations

Hydration and rest must be frictionless. Employers should supply a continuous, readily accessible abundance of cold water. Additionally, establish shaded rest areas or air-conditioned cooling stations where workers can take mandatory recovery breaks out of direct sunlight.

6. Integrate Cooling PPE Solutions

While standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital for site safety, it often traps body heat and worsens thermal discomfort. To counteract this, equip outdoor staff with specialized cooling vests and moisture-wicking gear, and mandate regular cooling station rotations to let their bodies reset.

The Broader Impact: Climate, Water, and Workplace Risk

The dangers of rising temperatures extend far beyond immediate physical strain. Even marginal shifts in regional climates can trigger cascading environmental challenges, including severe droughts, local water shortages, and heightened wildfire risks. These interconnected climate factors directly impact job site safety, air quality, and resource availability, making robust corporate sustainability and safety planning more urgent than ever.

By prioritizing these safety protocols, companies protect their most valuable asset—their people. Investing in smart, hot-weather safety measures doesn't just ensure regulatory compliance; it safeguards employee health, boosts morale, and maintains productivity in an era of unpredictable weather.

About the Author

Klaus Reichardt is the CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc., a pioneer in water conservation and the leading provider of waterless urinal technology across North America.

Water Efficiency: A Term Waterless Co. Inc. Has Always Understood

The term water efficiency appears frequently on our Waterless Blog, but many readers are not entirely sure what it means. Is it the same as water conservation, water savings, or water sustainability? Not exactly.

Water efficiency is a relatively modern term, first introduced in the United States in the late 1980s. It was used most often by water professionals and government agencies discussing water-related issues.

The term is closely related to the broader idea of water conservation, but it places greater emphasis on using water more effectively for the long term. This means steps, methods, and water-using products are adopted that use far less water than their older counterparts — or no water at all.

However, two important milestones helped give the term more credibility and prevalence:

• In 1991, the American Water Works Association adopted a policy statement on "Water Efficiency and Conservation," helping cement the term in official documents.

• In 1992, the Energy Policy Act created the first national standards requiring water efficiency in certain products, giving the term real institutional weight.

These developments helped make water efficiency a recognized term, and it has remained part of the water-sustainability conversation ever since.

How the term evolved

Historically, people talked mostly about water conservation — meaning reducing waste or using less water overall. Over time, "water efficiency" became the preferred term for getting the same task done with less water, especially in engineered systems like toilets, showerheads, dishwashers, and irrigation equipment.

Why the term emerged

"Water efficiency" gained traction because it fit a more technical, performance-based approach than conservation alone. It shifted the focus from simply saving water through behavior change to designing products, fixtures, and systems that accomplish the same function with minimal — or no — water use.

Practical meaning of water efficiency today

In modern usage, the term usually means minimizing the amount of water needed to accomplish a task or result. That framing is common in sustainability, plumbing standards, green building, and utility programs.

In one sentence water efficiency means

The history of "water efficiency" is essentially the history of water-saving ideas becoming more technical, measurable, and product-focused — especially from the early 1990s onward. Interestingly, Waterless Co., Inc. was founded in 1991, which tells us that when it comes to water efficiency, we were in the right place at the right time.

-Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of Waterless Co., Inc, marketers of waterless urinals and other restroom products.

Is a Water Renaissance Coming to Southern California?

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Summary of a June 2026 Sierra article by Juliet Grable on Southern California’s water future.

Southern California imports over half of its water from the Colorado River, the Eastern Sierra, and the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, but climate change and aging infrastructure are making those supplies less reliable.

·        Colorado River: Flows are well below historic norms after record-low snowpack.

·        Mono Lake: Water levels have fallen to dangerous lows.

·        Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta: Water quality is declining, with toxic algae and ecological damage.

The Delta Conveyance Project: A Controversial Government Answer

To address shortages, Governor Gavin Newsom and state water agencies have proposed the Delta Conveyance Project, a tunnel that would move Sacramento River water around the delta to Southern California.

The project carries a steep price tag of at least $20 billion and a lengthy 15- to 20-year timeline. Critics—including local Native American tribes, fishing organizations, and environmental advocates—argue that the tunnel simply doubles down on an outdated, unsustainable approach to water management.

The Sustainable Alternative: The Water Renaissance Plan

In contrast, the Water Renaissance Plan emphasizes local supply through stormwater capture, wastewater recycling, water efficiency, and conservation instead of major new diversion infrastructure.

Advocates claim these localized strategies could yield 1.8 to 2 million acre-feet of water by 2045 at a fraction of the tunnel's long-term cost.

Key Recommendations of the Water Renaissance Plan:

·        Wastewater Recycling: The largest untapped local source, with potential to meet up to 75% of regional demand.

·        Green Infrastructure: Use bioswales, rain gardens, and cisterns to capture stormwater and recharge aquifers.

·        Native Plant Landscaping: Replace lawns to cut water use and reduce runoff.

·        Delta Restoration: Repair levees and wetlands instead of building new diversions.

The Funding Challenge: Local Water vs. Mega-Projects

According to advocates, the ultimate hurdle is financial allocation. If the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California commits up to $40 billion to the Delta Tunnel project, funding for local, decentralized water projects will likely dry up. The coalition is actively pushing for a state general obligation water bond dedicated specifically to local supplies, supplemented by a mix of federal, state, and municipal funding.

Reasons for Optimism in SoCal

Examples across the region suggest the approach is feasible:

·        Orange County runs the world’s largest wastewater recycling facility.

·        San Diego expects its Pure Water program to provide nearly half its drinking water by 2035.

·        Los Angeles County aims to raise locally sourced water from 40% to 80% by 2045.

·        Statewide more emphasis on water efficiency such as installing low-flow toilets and waterless urinals.

Ultimately, Southern California faces a pivotal choice: repeat the rigid engineering ambitions of a century ago with another multi-billion-dollar mega-project, or invest in smarter, decentralized, and climate-resilient local solutions.

Water Efficiency and Positive Messaging: How Optimism Drives Conservation

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In August 2022, a viral Instagram video attracted thousands of views by claiming that Earth has an unlimited supply of water. The clip showed a man swimming in a pristine lake while asserting that humanity will never face water shortages.

Debunking the “Endless Water” Claim

The video promoted the concept of “primary water,” suggesting that new freshwater is continuously generated deep within the Earth through geological processes. Based on this theory, the creator argued that concerns about water scarcity are unnecessary.

However, independent fact-checkers challenged this claim, and the platform later flagged the content as partially inaccurate.

Understanding Real Water Constraints

While Earth’s total water volume remains relatively constant, accessible freshwater is finite. The issue is not that the planet is running out of water, but that clean, usable water is not always available where and when it is needed.

Several factors contribute to water scarcity:

• Demand exceeding natural recharge rates

• Extended drought conditions

• Pollution of surface and groundwater sources

• Outdated or insufficient water infrastructure

As USA Today reporter Kate S. Petersen noted, scarcity is fundamentally an issue of access and management—not absolute supply.

Approaches to Water Efficiency and Conservation Messaging

Efforts to promote water efficiency typically fall into two categories.

Fact-Based Education
Some organizations emphasize clear, science-backed information. This approach focuses on explaining challenges while also highlighting achievable solutions, helping audiences make informed decisions.

Fear-Driven Campaigns
Other initiatives rely on urgency and emotional appeal, often highlighting severe hardship—such as communities without reliable drinking water—to prompt action.

The question is which method actually leads to lasting behavior change.

What Research Suggests About Behavior Change

Evidence increasingly shows that fear alone is not a reliable motivator for sustained action. Campaigns rooted in alarm can capture attention, but they often fail to maintain engagement over time.

This pattern is not unique to environmental communication.

A Lesson from “Just Say No”

The “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign of the 1980s provides a useful comparison. Although widely recognized, later evaluations found limited long-term impact.

• A 1994 U.S. Department of Justice study found only short-term reductions in tobacco use, with little effect on alcohol or marijuana

• In 2001, U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher characterized similar programs as ineffective

• Researchers observed a “boomerang effect,” where overly forceful messaging triggered resistance among some audiences

These findings highlight the limits of fear-based strategies.

Why Positive Messaging Is More Effective

According to Klaus Reichardt CEO and Founder of Waterless Co., campaigns centered on fear and guilt often fail to produce lasting behavioral change. While they may generate an initial emotional response, they can also lead to disengagement or resistance.

More effective communication strategies focus on empowerment and possibility.

Show What Works
Highlighting successful water conservation efforts—whether technological innovations or community initiatives—helps demonstrate that progress is achievable.

Emphasize Agency and Hope
People are more likely to act when they believe their choices can make a difference. Hope fosters participation, while fear can create paralysis.

Offer Clear Actions
Effective messaging provides specific, practical steps. Examples include reducing household water use, adopting efficient technologies, or supporting local conservation programs.

Building a Culture of Water Stewardship

Water scarcity is a real and growing challenge, but how it is communicated plays a critical role in shaping public response. Messaging that combines realism with optimism can motivate more durable changes in behavior.

Encouraging individuals and organizations to see themselves as part of the solution—rather than simply highlighting the severity of the problem—may be one of the most effective ways to advance sustainable water use.

By Robert Kravitz, a frequent author for the professional management industry.

How to Maintain Park and Camp Floor Drains

Here is what you need to know and do.

• The Winterizing Ritual: To prevent freezing water from cracking and rupturing pipes, camps must shut off the water supply, open all taps, flush toilets, and drain water heaters before closing for the season.

• The Reopening Routine: When reopening, reverse the process by turning water back on, checking for leaks, and ensuring vent stacks are clear of leaves and debris.

• The Overlooked Threat (Sewer Odors): A major post-winter issue is sewer gases entering buildings. This happens when the water in U-traps (the curved pipe under drains) evaporates over months of disuse, breaking the barrier that blocks gases.

• Health Risks: Sewer gas is a health hazard, containing bacteria and compounds that can cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory issues, particularly in children and seniors.

• What NOT to Do: Avoid pouring harsh chemicals like bleach down the drain (which creates toxic fumes) or trying to mask the scent with air fresheners.

• The Solution: Pouring water down the drain provides temporary relief, but using a biodegradable liquid trap primer (like EverPrime®) during fall winterization slows evaporation and prevents dried-out traps all winter long.

How to Build a Commercial Water Management Plan for Long-Term Savings

True corporate responsibility when it comes to water goes far beyond putting up "please save water" signs in the restroom. Achieving lasting operational resilience requires a strategic commitment to smart technology, data-driven practices, and a culture that prioritizes resource efficiency.

When organizations invest heavily in modern water management, they unlock massive utility cost savings, mitigate operational risks, and build a powerful brand reputation that resonates with modern consumers, investors, and community stakeholders.

1. Start with a Professional Facility Water Audit

You cannot manage what you do not measure. The foundation of any successful commercial water management strategy is a comprehensive professional audit. A technical audit establishes an accurate usage baseline, exposes hidden leaks, and highlights the high-return areas where upgrades will make the biggest financial impact.

While small facilities might attempt a basic DIY inspection, larger and more complex commercial properties require the expertise of certified water auditors. A thorough professional audit typically includes:

• Scope Definition: Identifying and mapping every water-using system on the property, including commercial HVAC units, cooling towers, commercial restrooms, and facility landscaping.

• Data Aggregation: Reviewing at least 24 months of historical utility bills alongside localized sub-meter data to uncover seasonal consumption patterns and historical spikes.

• Actionable Roadmaps: Pinpointing specific infrastructure repairs or equipment upgrades, calculated against their projected return on investment (ROI).

Pro Tip: Water audits are not a one-time checklist. Because commercial equipment degrades and facility needs evolve, you should schedule professional water audits every 2 to 3 years to stay ahead of hidden failures in aging boilers, cooling towers, and distribution lines.

2. Prioritize Upgrades with the "Four-Bucket Strategy"

A comprehensive audit often generates a massive list of potential repairs. To prevent analysis paralysis, facility managers can use the Four-Bucket Strategy to categorize projects, allocate budgets, and prioritize execution:

• Bucket 1: Immediate Repairs (0–3 Months): Critical fixes that prevent property damage and immediate financial loss, such as severe pipe leaks or malfunctioning valves.

• Bucket 2: Low-Hanging Fruit (3–6 Months): Low-cost, high-ROI solutions that can be completed quickly, such as installing low-flow faucet aerators or recalibrating automated sensors.

• Bucket 3: Mid-Term Capital Projects (1–3 Years): Moderately sized upgrades often scheduled alongside planned renovations, such as retrofitting high-efficiency restroom fixtures during a floor remodel.

• Bucket 4: Long-Term Lifecycles (7–10 Years): Big-ticket infrastructure replacements planned around the natural end of an appliance's useful life, such as upgrading industrial chillers or main boilers to avoid catastrophic unplanned downtime.

3. Leverage Smart Water Technology for Maximum ROI

Modern plumbing and building automation technologies allow commercial properties to slash water consumption without compromising guest comfort or system performance.

High-Efficiency Commercial Restrooms

Because commercial restrooms are typically a building's largest source of water consumption, they offer the fastest path to ROI.

• Ultra-Low-Flush Toilets: Modern commercial toilets use as little as 1.3 gallons per flush (GPF), drastically cutting down on volumetric wastewater charges.

• Waterless Urinals: Eliminating water use entirely from men's restrooms eliminates flush-valve maintenance and slashes utility costs.

• Sensor-Activated Fixtures: Touchless faucets, flushometers, and showers eliminate run-on waste by operating strictly when a user is present.

Advanced Building Automation

• Water Recycling & Greywater Systems: Capturing and treating wastewater from sinks and showers allows facilities to safely reuse water for industrial processes or landscape irrigation.

• Commercial Submetering: Installing digital submeters provides real-time visibility into specific zones, allowing facility teams to spot anomalies instantly and address leaks before they cause major damage.

• Smart Irrigation: Utilizing real-time weather forecasts and soil moisture sensors ensures that commercial landscaping is only watered when absolutely necessary.

• Automated Leak Detection: Intelligent shut-off systems monitor flow rates continuously, alerting maintenance teams to abnormalities and automatically shutting off main valves during major pipe bursts to minimize structural damage.

4. The Business Value of Responsible Water Infrastructure

The incentives for adopting a rigorous water management plan extend far beyond lower utility bills.

• Reduced Energy Footprint: Less water consumption directly translates to lower energy bills, as facilities require less electricity and gas to heat, pump, and treat water.

• LEED v5 Certification: Optimizing your water systems directly supports corporate ESG goals and helps earn crucial points toward building certifications, particularly under the strict Water Efficiency credits of the LEED v5 framework.

• Brand Loyalty: Demonstrating transparent resource stewardship satisfies the growing expectations of modern investors, tenants, employees, and customers who actively favor sustainable businesses.

By transitioning from a reactive maintenance mindset to a strategic, tech-driven water management model, commercial enterprises can transform a growing operational liability into a sustainable source of long-term competitive advantage.

About the Author

Klaus Reichardt is the CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc., a pioneer in the restroom fixture industry since 1991. A dedicated advocate for water efficiency, Reichardt is a frequent author and speaker on water resource management and sustainable building technologies. He can be reached through his company website, www.waterless.com.

Running Dry: The State of America's Water Systems

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The most immediate and serious consequence of this deteriorating infrastructure is widespread water loss. As America's population grows and fresh water becomes an increasingly precious resource, millions of gallons are lost daily through:

• Leaky underground pipes

• Failing municipal infrastructure

• Outdated water treatment facilities

This systemic leaking doesn't just waste a vital natural resource—it also places a massive financial burden on the local communities that depend on these utilities.

Public Health and the Affordability Crisis

The true burden of America's water crisis runs deeper than most people realize, impacting both public health and economic equity.

Access and Affordability

Millions of Americans, particularly in rural and underserved areas, still lack basic access to running water and indoor plumbing. As municipal utilities are pressed to fund emergency repairs, they are forced to raise water rates. This creates severe affordability problems that fall hardest on low-income households.

Contamination Risks

Beyond financial strain, aging pipes dramatically raise the risk of water contamination incidents. When infrastructure fails, it quickly transforms a structural utility problem into a severe public health crisis.

Solutions: Smart Technology and Collaboration

Despite the scale of the challenge, there are reasons for cautious optimism. More funding is finally being funneled toward replacing crumbling systems, and local communities are increasingly collaborating to find innovative solutions.

The commercial restroom and plumbing industries are also stepping up. Modern water efficiency technologies—such as waterless urinals—offer a practical, scalable way to meaningfully reduce water waste at the building level.

Building a Sustainable Water Future

Ultimately, securing a sustainable water future for the U.S. is not a problem any single sector can solve alone. Progress requires broad, collective participation.

How to Make an Impact:

• For Individuals & Businesses: Adopt water-efficient technologies, low-flow fixtures, and smart water management systems in homes and commercial properties.

• For Communities: Support local infrastructure investments, bonds, and policies aimed at grid modernization.

• For Advocates: Raise awareness about the critical need for water conservation and infrastructure funding.

By combining policy, skilled labor, and innovative technology, we can protect our most vital resource before it runs dry.

The Overlooked Restroom Upgrade Quietly Transforming Corporate Sustainability

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While the spotlight often shines on flashy green tech, boardrooms across America are quietly signing off on a different kind of environmental initiative. Forward-thinking companies are heavily investing in solar installations, EV charging stations, and energy-efficient HVAC overhauls because they deliver undeniable, long-term cost savings.

However, one of the most effective ways to slash operational costs and protect natural resources without major capital expenditure is happening right inside the commercial restroom: the installation of waterless urinals.

Waterless urinals have officially moved well beyond their early-adopter phase. Today, they are standard features in corporate campuses, hospital complexes, and university facilities nationwide. This shift isn't driven by environmental idealism alone; it is a straightforward operational decision backed by hard numbers.

The Math Behind Waterless Urinals

The environmental and financial impact of switching to eco-friendly restroom fixtures accumulates rapidly:

• Per Unit Savings: A single waterless urinal eliminates roughly 26,000 gallons of water use every year.

• The Household Equivalent: Each unit conserves enough water in twelve months to meet the needs of a typical four-person household for about two months.

• Enterprise Scale: For a facility operating 50 units, that translates to approximately 1.3 million gallons of water saved annually: comparable to the combined volume of two Olympic-sized swimming pools.

"What started as a niche environmental solution has become an essential tool for meeting aggressive sustainability targets," says Klaus Reichardt, CEO of Waterless Co., Inc., the pioneer that brought waterless urinal technology to the North American market in 1991.

Why Commercial Water Efficency is Hitting the Boardroom Now

The timing of this renewed interest isn't accidental. Several macro-economic pressures have converged to elevate water efficiency from a facilities afterthought to a boardroom priority.

1. Rising Municipal Utility Rates

Commercial water rates have climbed roughly 40% over the past decade in major metro markets, turning water consumption into a heavy line item on corporate balance sheets.

2. Stricter Environmental Mandates

States like California and New York have introduced stringent mandates around commercial water use. Buildings that miss these mandated reduction targets now face real financial penalties.

3. Tenant and Talent Demand

The tenants filling modern commercial spaces, particularly younger workers, increasingly factor sustainability credentials into their leasing and employment decisions.

The Operational Benefits That Don't Show Up in the Brochure

Water savings are the headline, but facilities management teams report distinct operational advantages that go far beyond reduced utility bills.

Energy Decoupling

Traditional urinals are tied to a massive water infrastructure loop. Clean water must be pumped into the building, used, and then routed to wastewater treatment systems—a process carrying a heavy, hidden energy cost. Waterless fixtures step outside this resource-heavy cycle entirely.

Superior Restroom Hygiene

There is also a hygiene dimension that surprises many operators. Standing water in conventional urinals creates the perfect breeding ground for bacterial growth and biofilm buildup. Without moisture, waterless units inhibit bacteria growth, requiring less aggressive cleaning protocols and fewer chemical interventions.

One facilities manager at a large West Coast technology firm noted that custodial costs fell 30% in the year following installation. "The units practically maintain themselves," they reported.

A Direct Line to LEED Certification Points

For property managers working toward LEED, WELL, or similar green building designations, commercial water reduction represents one of the fastest, clearest paths to earning meaningful certification points.

Achieving these green credentials has shifted from a nice-to-have marketing differentiator to a genuine competitive factor. Today, certified green buildings command measurably higher property valuations and draw significantly stronger tenant interest.

"These certifications have evolved into essential competitive advantages," Reichardt notes. "Waterless urinals offer one of the most cost-effective paths to meaningful points."

Driven by Climate and Infrastructure Realities

The technology itself is time-tested and refined. Waterless Co. introduced these systems to North American facilities more than three decades ago. What has fundamentally changed is the macro-environment around it.

With worsening drought conditions across the Western United States and an aging water infrastructure straining under urban demand, the financial case for water conservation has never been sharper.

The broader lesson for corporate leaders is clear: the most consequential sustainability upgrades aren't always the most visible ones. Sometimes, the best return on investment is already inside the building, waiting to be unlocked.

About Waterless Co., Inc.

Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Vista, California, Waterless Co., Inc. pioneered waterless urinal technology in North America. Today, the company produces a full line of highly efficient, sustainable restroom products helping organizations achieve aggressive water reduction goals. Discover more at www.waterless.com.

Home Urinals: A Growing Trend in Residential Bathrooms

For decades, urinals have been standard fixtures in commercial buildings, schools, sports venues, and public restrooms. Today, however, they are increasingly finding their way into residential properties as homeowners look for new ways to improve convenience, cleanliness, and water efficiency.

According to reports from real estate and home improvement sources, many homeowners choose to install a urinal simply because modern plumbing technology makes it possible and affordable. While the trend is still relatively niche, residential urinals are appearing in homes across North America, from modest suburban houses to luxury custom residences.

Why Are Homeowners Installing Urinals?

The appeal of a home urinal often comes down to convenience. Many families appreciate having a dedicated fixture for quick restroom visits, which can reduce wear and tear on traditional toilets and help keep bathrooms cleaner.

Common benefits cited by homeowners include:

• Less debate about leaving the toilet seat up or down.

• Faster restroom visits, especially during gatherings or sporting events.

• Improved bathroom cleanliness and reduced splashing.

• Greater flexibility in shared household bathrooms.

• Potential water savings when water-efficient or waterless models are selected.

In many households, the addition of a urinal simply makes daily routines more convenient.

Planning a Residential Urinal Installation

Before purchasing a urinal for your home, there are several important factors to consider.

1. Evaluate Available Space

A urinal requires adequate wall space and proper clearances. While many are installed in traditional bathrooms, some homeowners choose locations such as:

• Garages

• Workshops

• Home gyms

• Recreation rooms

• Basement entertainment areas

The best location depends on your home's plumbing layout and how the space is used.

2. Understand Installation Requirements

Like any plumbing fixture, a urinal must comply with local building and plumbing codes. Installation typically requires:

• A sanitary drain connection

• Proper venting

• Water supply lines (for conventional, water using models)

• Mounting hardware and wall support

• A flush valve or flushing mechanism

Because of these requirements, professional installation is usually recommended.

3. Consider Total Project Costs

The fixture itself is often one of the least expensive components of the project. Plumbing modifications, wall work, and flushing systems can significantly increase overall costs.

For a conventional urinal installation, homeowners may spend $2,000 or more depending on:

• Existing plumbing accessibility

• Location within the home

• Fixture selection

• Flush valve type

• Local labor rates

Waterless Urinals: A Lower-Cost Alternative

An increasingly popular option is the waterless urinal, sometimes referred to as a no-flush urinal. These systems operate without a water supply and eliminate the need for flush valves.

Because they require only a properly connected drain line, installation is often simpler and less expensive than traditional urinals. In many cases, total installed costs may be closer to $1,200, depending on site conditions and local labor expenses.

Beyond lower installation costs, waterless urinals can help reduce household water consumption and eliminate thousands of gallons of annual water use.

Do Home Urinals Affect Property Value?

One question frequently asked by homeowners is whether adding a urinal will increase resale value.

Real estate professionals generally agree that a residential urinal is unlikely to significantly raise or lower a home's appraised value. However, it may appeal to certain buyers and serve as a memorable feature that differentiates a property from others on the market.

In some cases, unique bathroom upgrades—including urinals, radiant floor heating, and integrated sound systems—have generated considerable buyer interest and helped homes stand out during showings.

The Home Urinal Bottom Line

While still uncommon in most homes, residential urinals are gaining attention as homeowners seek greater convenience, improved bathroom hygiene, and enhanced water efficiency. Whether choosing a traditional flushing model or a modern waterless urinal, careful planning and professional installation are key to maximizing the benefits of this increasingly popular bathroom upgrade.