The following is based on an article in How Stuff Works by Matt Sailor. The author uses quotes throughout the article from Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc. 

Waterless urinals are growing in popularity because they help building owners and managers reduce water consumption, become more sustainability focused, and lower operating costs.

But how they work is often viewed as a mystery. Let’s put that mystery aside. Here is how they work:

• Waterless urinals are typically designed like traditional urinals.

• The urine flows down the urinal into a small cylinder – or trap – placed at the bottom of the urinal bowl.

• This trap serves many purposes, including blocking sewer odors from being released into the restroom. But for now, we want to focus on the trap temporarily holding the urine.

• Inside the trap is a sealant that is lighter than water. This is what prevents sewer odors from being released.

• As the urine accumulates in the trap and more men use the urinals, the urine flows into the drainage line below the urinal, just like a traditional urinal.

• The process allows the urine to drain naturally. No water is needed in the process – which is why they call them waterless urinals.

The history of waterless urinals dates to the late-1800s. They were first installed in major European cities in park areas and in sidewalk restrooms. However, it was not until 1991 that they were introduced in the United States. Waterless Co., Inc. introduced them, making Waterless Co. Inc. the first marketer of waterless urinals in North America.

How much water they save depends on what type of traditional urinal they are replacing. They often replace older urinals that consume as much as 3 gallons of water per flush (gpf). In such cases, the water savings are very significant.

However, today, they are also replacing newer urinals that use about 1 gpf or less.  Usually this happens because these facilities want to go a step further in reducing water consumption. But there is also a cost factor. Waterless urinals require less plumbing, reducing the time and money required to install them.

Now the big question: how much water can Waterless Urinals save?

We must answer: it all depends. In most cases, they can save as much as 20,000 to 35,000 gallons of water per urinal per year. If one office building has 50 waterless urinals installed, that amounts to 1 million to 1.75 million gallons of water per year.  

These estimates are based on a building with 50 or more men using the urinal at least three times per day.

What About Home Waterless Urinals?

Waterless urinals are also growing in popularity in homes and can save water and money there as well. One waterless urinal installed in a home can save about 3,250 gallons of water per year.

How much money this can save a homeowner varies. It depends on how much consumers are charged for water. However, some savings estimates range from about $250 per urinal to as much as $500 per urinal per year.

Finally, we must add that waterless urinals, like flushed urinals, do cost money to maintain and operate. However, operating costs are about 1/3 of operating a flushed urinal, especially because water and sewer rates keep increasing.

With a urinal from Waterless Co., the trap mentioned earlier can last three to six months, depending on use. These traps cost about $9 to replace. With no-water urinals from other manufacturers, the trap lasts only two to three months and, interestingly, can cost $25 or more.

This means due diligence is necessary when selecting waterless urinals. A little research gets increased water savings and greater cost savings as well.

Like to learn more? Contact us at info@waterless.com