Hello! This is Robert Kravitz, and this is the first in our series of interviews with Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc, based in Vista, California.
For those that don't know, Waterless Company was started over 30 years ago. They were the first company to introduce no-water urinals to North America. Today they are referred to as pioneers in water efficiency.
We're calling this series of interviews Waterless Foresights-a Video Series.
Robert:
Hello Klaus, how are you today?
Klaus:
Hi Robert. Great to talk to you and thank you for having me on the show today.
Robert:
Klaus, because you have been involved with water efficiency for more than 30 years, I'm curious about the situation today in the United States regarding water. We got all that rain over the holidays in California. But does that mean we are ahead of the curve now? Are things better now? What is the situation with water today in this country?
Klaus:
That's a particularly good and broad question, and I can start broadly. Water still is the stepchild of so many things.
Every year, thirty to thirty-eight States in our country are under drought watch.
Much of it has to do with the lack of precipitation. But it also has to do with population growth in various areas of the country and the fact that we cannot expand water treatment facilities in certain areas because of environmental concerns. So, a lot of varied factors come into play when we talk about water in this country.
But water issues are finally coming to many more people's awareness. The media is helping make this happen. This was especially true eight years ago in Atlanta, where water for the city was depleted.
Robert:
I just read somewhere that the amount of water in the lake in Salt Lake City is one-third of what it was ten years ago. Making this an even bigger concern is that there are all kinds of sediment at the bottom of the lake where it's dried up. If it becomes windblown, it could prove toxic to the people living in Salt Lake City.
Klaus:
Yes, I have heard that too. If this sediment gets airborne, the masks we wore during COVID won't help much.
This is an extremely hazardous material in the air. Situations like this have happened before. It indicates some of the hazards before us if we don't start using water more efficiently.
You know, there is a difference between conserving water and water efficiency. To conserve water, we can start by just turning the faucet off when we brush our teeth. It can also mean using restroom fixtures, from toilets and urinals to faucets and showerheads, which are designed to use less water.
This is what makes them water efficient.
To become more water efficient, whether at home, in schools, or in the office, we first must become more aware of how much water we use and take steps every day to reduce the amount we use.
Robert:
I noticed you did not mention your own company, Waterless Co. Waterless urinals are now required in some states like Arizona. This is because they eliminate the use of about 35,000 gallons of water per urinal, per year. They help us reduce consumption and use water far more efficiently.
Klaus:
I appreciate you mentioning this. Here's a little example.
In a school, factory, or restaurant restroom, if you can just eliminate the flush urinals and replace them with waterless urinals, you can reduce the amount of water used in that restroom by as much as 30 percent.
Robert:
Wow, I did not know that. That is a major reduction.
Say, this has been a terrific discussion. I look forward to our future talks. Thank you.
