What Happens When School Drains Dry Out?
Extended school closures, like three-month summer vacations, can dry out P-traps under drains, releasing harmful sewer gases that pose health risks to children and adults when the building reopens. The following question and answer will help you better understand what is happening.
What are P-Traps?
P-traps are practical devices installed under nearly all drains. They work by:
Collecting a small amount of water as it flows down the drain
Creating a water seal that blocks sewer gases from entering the room
Preventing odors and harmful gases from being released
But P-traps can dry out when:
Schools close for extended periods
Restrooms or sinks receive very little use
What Creates Sewer Gas?
Sewer gas forms from decomposing human and animal waste. It contains several harmful components such as:
Ammonia
Methane
Hydrogen sulfide
These gases become toxic when inhaled in high concentrations because they can displace oxygen in enclosed spaces. Exposure can cause:
Eye irritation
Nausea
Breathing difficulties
In severe cases, sewer gas exposure in enclosed areas has resulted in fatalities.
Who is at risk?
We are all at risk, but children in schools are more so. That's because they breathe faster than adults, and if the fumes are released from floor drains, they are closer to the source of the problem.
Are there "levels" of sewer gas concentration?
Yes, there are. Here is what we know.
Concentrations of 0.0005 parts per million (ppm) can be detected and the odors released smell like burning chemicals or rotten eggs.
At 0.01, it can cause nausea and eye discomfort.
Fumes from 0.02 ppm to as high as 20 ppm can produce headaches, increase heart rates, impact cognitive abilities, and cause muscle coordination to be lost.
Can pouring water down a smelly drain prevent these problems?
Yes, pouring water down the drain can help, but this solution has two limitations:
1. It is temporary; the P-trap will likely dry out again quickly
2. The odor indicates existing exposure; by the time you detect the smell, harmful gases have already been released into the facility.
Are there steps we can take to prevent this problem from happening more permanently?
Yes.
A more permanent solution is EverPrime®. Small amounts of EverPrime prevents drains from drying up for months at a time. It is not impacted by frigid, hot, or dry climates and is very cost-effective.
Why haven't more schools adopted EverPrime?
Despite being effective, cost effective, and patented for more than twenty years ago, awareness of this product among school facility managers and administrators remains low. To address, EverPrime is accessible through:
· The Waterless Co., Inc. website
· Major online retailers
· Home improvement retailers.
EverPrime is a product that all school boards need to know about. View it as a safe, inexpensive, health-protector for children and staff, helping to address a problem that has become all too common.
-Klaus
Water Audits: It's True. Once Is Not Enough
Since 1957, when the American Water Works Association first investigated "unaccounted-for-water," water audits have become essential for improving water efficiency.
These audits help answer critical questions about where, why, and how water is used in a facility or lost in distribution systems.
While water audits have proven to be one of the most effective ways to promote responsible water resource management, many building owners and managers make a crucial mistake: they conduct audits only once and fail to reassess their water consumption more frequently.
Industry experts typically recommend conducting water audits every two years. Here's why two-year audits are becoming so essential:
Building Dynamics: Buildings have evolved significantly over the years. Rather than serving a single purpose—such as an office building, hotel, or medical facility—they have become multi-functional. Due to the pandemic, even more buildings are adopting multi-purpose roles, resulting in substantial changes in water usage. To comprehensively understand how water is utilized and consumed within a facility, it is imperative to conduct two-year water audits.
Frequency Considerations: While it has been suggested that water audits be conducted biennially, this frequency may be insufficient for high-occupancy buildings or facilities that have recently diversified their functions. In such cases where water demands have changed, water audits may need to be conducted as frequently as every six months.
Changing Climate: According to a CNN report from August 2024, American cities are experiencing unprecedented warming rates, with Las Vegas, San Antonio, Nashville, and Jacksonville, FL, being the most affected. There is typically a direct correlation between rising temperatures and increased water consumption. Due to the changing climate, a water audit conducted in a school, for example, just five years ago, may no longer be relevant to current water consumption levels.
Restroom Upgrades: Most water consumed in a facility is attributed to restroom use.* Fortunately, modern facilities have increasingly installed high-efficiency toilets, which use less water than Federally mandated standards, along with waterless urinals, which do not use any water. Installing these fixtures can lead to significant reductions in water consumption, which can be verified through two-year water audits.
Note: Conduct a water audit before installing high-efficiency toilets or waterless urinals. This way building owners/managers can quantify the water savings and better assess the return on investment for selecting these fixtures.
Regulatory Compliance: Water regulations in the U.S. have fluctuated over the past decade, with changes at both state and federal levels. By conducting two-year audits, building owners and managers can ensure they are still in compliance.
Predictive Water Analysis: Do you know how much your facility's water consumption would change if tenant occupancy dropped from 10 percent to 7 percent? Or increased from 5 percent to 11 percent?
Two-year water audits enable property owners and managers to predict water consumption changes more accurately as occupancy levels fluctuate. This predictive capability offers two key benefits:
· Ensures appropriate infrastructure is in place to handle expected water demands.
· Helps forecast business operating costs associated with water consumption.
Decision Making: You can't manage what you can't measure - and if you can't measure, you can't improve. Utilizing the insights of water audits enables owners and managers to make more informed decisions, improve water efficiency, set realistic water reduction goals, and adjust water-reducing strategies that reflect evolving circumstances.
Building owners and managers should view conducting water audits every two years as standard operating procedure. This practice helps predict operating costs related to water, optimize water usage, enhance efficiency, and identify areas where water use can be reduced or even eliminated. This also addresses the growing environmental and sustainability concerns associated with water.
-Klaus
*This is true unless the facility is heavily landscaped.
Using Water Efficiently Reduces Utility Bills for Households and Businesses
Water Efficiency Reduces Strain on Natural Water Resources
The Benefits of Efficient Water Use
Would You Shower in Recycled Water?
Showering in recycled water isn’t just a futuristic concept, it’s already happening. Thanks to modern water recycling technologies, you can take water efficiency to new heights right in the comfort of your home.
Shower Recycling Systems: The Future of Water Efficiency
Imagine a smart shower system that recycles up to 80% of the water you use, all at your command. These advanced systems:
- Filter, treat, and purify used water.
- Return clean, treated water to you in real time through the showerhead.
With these on-demand systems, you save water without sacrificing comfort, making your home more eco-friendly.
Other Top Water-Saving Technologies for Your Home
1. Really Smart Water Meters
- Monitor water consumption and detect unusual increases indicating leaks.
- Integrate with smartphone apps for remote control.
- Emergency feature: Shut off your home’s water supply from anywhere using the app.
2. Predictive AI Algorithms
Artificial intelligence enhances smart water meters by using predictive algorithms to:
- Optimize water distribution.
- Detect leaks early.
- Ensure safe water consumption.
Think of AI water monitoring as your personal water guardian, proactively improving efficiency and reducing waste.
3. Greywater Recycling Systems
Greywater recycling systems go beyond shower recycling. They reuse water from faucets, dishwashers, laundry machines, and rainfall. The process involves:
- Storage of used water in tanks.
- Filtration to remove debris like lint and hair.
- Treatment with chemicals and beneficial bacteria.
- Disinfection with UV light or chlorination.
4. No-Water Urinals
Waterless urinals are gaining popularity in residential spaces. Their benefits include:
- Saving thousands of gallons annually.
- Lowering water utility bills.
- Reducing bacterial growth and odors.
5. Ultra-High-Efficiency Toilets
Did you know older toilets used up to 3.5 gallons per flush? Today’s ultra-high-efficiency toilets use as little as 0.8 gallons—an 80% reduction!
The Sustainable Homes of Tomorrow
Advances in water-saving technologies, from AI-driven systems to ultra-efficient fixtures, empower homeowners to reduce water consumption and energy use. By embracing these innovations, you contribute to a more sustainable future—ensuring water availability for your community and beyond.
Beyond Conservation: Mastering Water Efficiency for Today’s Buildings
Awareness of the factors that most impact water usage allows owners and managers to proactively minimize water waste
Vista, CA – March 25, 2025 - Building owners and managers are encouraged to reduce water consumption and improve water efficiency to reduce operating costs and use water more responsibly.
However, many don't understand which factors in their facilities most impact water usage. Identifying these factors is essential for implementing effective water efficiency strategies.
The key factors affecting commercial facility water consumption are the following:
Occupancy: The number of people using the facility
Property use: Whether it's an office building, school, arts center, or similar commercial facility.
Landscaping: Native or natural landscaping typically requires less irrigation than non-native options
Food service equipment: Water-using appliances and mechanicals older than seven years likely use more water than newer models
Restroom fixtures: Fixtures older than 10 years often use more water than newer models
Aging Plumbing. Pipes within the walls of a multi-story building are known as 'risers.' Risers generally have a lifespan of about 30 years. After this period, leaks are common, resulting in water waste.
Building owners and managers can proactively minimize water waste by being aware of these factors “and they should also go one step further," according to Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of Waterless Co. Inc. marketers of no-water urinals. "Conduct a water audit.”
Like an energy audit, a water audit identifies where water is used, wasted, or no longer necessary, helping to implement effective water efficiency strategies.
Further, if changes are necessary to advance water efficiency, Reichardt suggests restrooms are the first place to start.
"Selecting highly efficient toilets, low-flow faucets, and reliable no-water urinals has become imperative to ensure state-of-the-art water efficiency in today's buildings."
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Available for Interviews
Available for Interviews on Water Efficiency Issues: Klaus Reichardt, klaus@waterless.com
About Waterless
Waterless Co., Inc. Introduced waterless urinals to North America in 1991. Based in Vista, CA, the company has become a leader in water efficiency. The company offers a full line of Waterless, No-Flush urinals, cleaning solutions, and other cost-saving accessories. Visit: www.waterless.com
Waterless Co. Inc.
1050 Joshua Way
Vista, CA 92081 USA
800.244.6364
Media Contact: Robert Kravitz
Phone: 312-880-8176
E-Mail: robert.kravitz@outlook.com
Waterless Urinals: A Cost-Effective Solution for Building Renovations
The Challenge of Plumbing Renovation
In multi-story buildings like condominiums, "risers" are the vertical plumbing stacks hidden within walls that deliver water and remove waste from all apartments. While these systems typically last 30-40 years, building managers often resort to annual repairs as problems emerge. Eventually, these temporary fixes fail, necessitating complete replacement.
This replacement process is extensive and disruptive. Workers must break through walls to access pipes in kitchens and bathrooms, including those in common areas like restrooms and gyms. Then they must put everything back together.
The project typically results in considerable turmoil and lots of unhappy faces among the tenants.
A Chicago Case Study
A 28-story Chicago building with 644 units demonstrates the scale of such projects. The condominium association initially borrowed $20 million to replace their aging risers. When costs exceeded this budget, their bank offered an additional $1 million loan with one condition: find ways to reduce construction expenses.
The Locker Room Challenge
Part of the riser project included redesigning the building's locker room. This required relocating four water-using urinals from one side of the wall to another. While drainage plumbing was available at the new location, there was no water supply. The contractor estimated this single issue would cost over $150,000 and delay the project by at least one week or more.
The Waterless Solution
Looking for alternatives, building management decided to install no-water urinals from Waterless Co. Inc., North America's leading waterless urinal provider. These fixtures only needed to connect to existing drainpipes, eliminating the need for water supply lines.
This decision not only saved the immediate $150,000 in plumbing costs but also prevented project delays. When accounting for the accelerated timeline, allowing workers to proceed with other renovations, the total savings approached $300,000, nearly one-third of the additional loan amount the Association had anticipated needing.
Further, once installed, the Association found the waterless urinals to be affordable, dependable, and reliable.
