Waterless Urinals: The Advantages and Disadvantages

A Texas school district was considering installing waterless urinals in their schools. Before making any decisions, they hired a local engineering firm to review the advantages and disadvantages of installing these urinals.

Here is what the engineering company reported:

Advantages

Water Savings. Billions of gallons of water are used daily in the U.S. to flush toilets and urinals. Newer urinals use about one gallon of water per flush have been introduced. However, this still adds to the billions of gallons of water flushed into sewers from restrooms each day. Plus, many schools still have older urinals installed that use as much as three to five gallons of water per flush. Replacing these urinals with waterless urinals that use no water can save billions of gallons of water annually.

Low Maintenance. The report indicates that some no-water urinal manufacturers report drain lines from waterless urinals are less susceptible to clogging because there is no mixture of water and urine, which causes encrustation in pipes that can lead to clogging. Further, because they have no flush valves, there are no valve tampering or repair issues, a big concern in schools and restaurants. The report does suggest "occasional flushing with a few gallons of water" to keep the drain lines clean.

Improved Hygiene. The conventional urinals' water gives germs the environment they need to grow. Because the waterless urinal stays dry between uses, it becomes an inhospitable environment for bacteria and viruses to grow. (Note: This became one of the key selling points of waterless urinals during the pandemic because the pathogen that causes COVID is found in urine and can become airborne and inhaled with urinal use). Also, because there is no flush handle, there is no need to touch the urinal, reducing the spread of communicable diseases.

Environmentally Friendly. There are several ways waterless urinals contribute positively to the environment. First, they use no water, saving billions of gallons per year. They also reduce the amount of water delivered, removed, and treated as wastewater. This saves energy. Cities need massive amounts of energy to pump, deliver, and treat wastewater. Further, they can help facilities earn LEED credits due to water reduction.

Disadvantages

Retrofits. While most waterless urinals are designed with the same footprint as traditional urinals, it still is necessary to cap the water supply lines that feed the urinals they are replacing. Plus, some remodeling may be required to lower the drain lines to bring the waterless urinals to proper mounting heights.  But this is not true in most cases and typically depends on the type of waterless urinal selected.

Rebates: At this time, not all water districts offer tax rebates for waterless urinals even though they may do so for high-efficient toilets. However, as water rates keep climbing and more areas of the country are impacted by drought conditions, they may offer rebates to help encourage and reduce consumption along with consumer costs.

Report Conclusion:

Waterless urinals offer a viable alternative to conventional flush-type urinals. Potential advantages – improved hygiene, water savings, reduced maintenance, and environmental friendliness – warrant this conclusion.

Further, they determined:

Widespread use of waterless urinals can produce a domino effect of conservation. Since no water is required, water utilities will not need to treat and pump as much water. Also, the absence of flushing means less wastewater is generated, requiring treatment. Smaller quantities of water pumped leads to energy savings. Therefore, water is conserved, as are resources needed to generate electricity.

How Often Should You Replace Urinals?

Do Your Urinals Look Like This? If So, Read This.

Most people only think about changing or updating their urinals once they have problems with their existing urinals. Or they already update and retrofit their existing restrooms frequently enough that the issue never comes to light.

Either way, here is what we need to know: view old urinals like old cars. The longer you have them and keep driving them, the more likely they will have problems.

And just like an old car may break down at the worst opportune time, don’t be surprised if an old urinal does the same, breaking down at a time when the restroom is being heavily used. This happens at sporting events all the time.

Urinals, based on federal standards, have a 25-year life cycle based on required flush volume. However, in recent years, reduced flush volume mandates have been introduced three times. All retrofits must adhere to the new standards.  

A lightly used urinal may last even longer. However, the key concern with older urinals is that they typically use a lot of water per flush, potentially more than they were designed to use. This tells us that the cost of owning the older urinal may become an issue due to increasing water rates around the country.

The size of the urinal can also be a factor in its longevity. Traditionally sized urinals tend to be easier to replace. Many urinals are now available that will comfortably “fit” where the old urinal was installed.

Larger urinals, on the other hand, may be harder to replace, making the process more complicated and costly. As a result, many building owners and managers tend to keep these larger urinals as long as they can even if, as mentioned earlier, the cost of ownership is continually increasing.

Then there are the “old school” full-stall or full-length urinals like in the picture above. These are urinals that reach and are supported by the floor. You still find these in older schools, libraries, and church facilities. Typically, these urinals remain in place for years for one key reason: removing them would require significant restroom retrofitting and construction.

Building owners or managers nurse full stall/full length urinals along, making repairs as needed, and waiting until they have the funds to renovate the entire restroom before replacing these old dinosaurs - I mean urinals.  

This tells us how long urinals typically last and why some building owners hang on to them. But there are usually four factors at play when it comes to deciding when to replace a urinal.  These are the following:

Chips and cracks. With older water using urinals, chips and cracks can build up in the water disbursement rims.  This can cause germs and bacteria to build in the rims, which can cause odors to be released. This can be unsightly as well as unhealthy.

Flush valves. These need constant care and attention, especially in areas of the country that have hard water. Hard water can clog up flush valves.  One Florida plumber said he was called frequently to fix the flush valves on the old school full-length urinals installed in a church. Over time, the flushing system on these urinals would break down, and the water would run continuously, non-stop. After so many visits, the church decided it would be less costly to retrofit the entire restroom than call the plumber so often.

Hygiene concerns. This has always been a concern, but these concerns mounted during the pandemic. The problem is that older water using urinals release aerated droplets as they are used.  If these droplets are contaminated, they can become airborne and potentially spread disease.

Water Efficiency. Many building owners and managers are now concluding that using 35,000 gallons of water per year with a traditional urinal is not an efficient way to use water. What typically happens is they replace these water-hungry urinals with waterless urinals. 

Water consumption is reduced, there are no flush valves to repair, no aerated droplets, and water utility bills are reduced. Overall, a win-win-win situation.

Can Californians Start Watering Their Lawns Again?

Wow. December has been a wild month when it comes to rain, snow, and water in California. According to news reports, the state has been battered with heavy rain and snow during the month, and much of this has fallen in areas that have seen little or no moisture in as much as five years.

And guess what? The state is now bracing for another storm. "A brutal storm system building over the Pacific Ocean is poised to slam across Northern California by Wednesday (January 4, 2023)," according to a January 2, 2023, article in USA Today.

So, does this mean Californians can water their lawns again? Are all the water restrictions out the window? 

Not so fast. According to recent reports, the state's largest reservoirs are still severely depleted. Wells are still low, water delivery systems are running dry, and while California is still getting water from the Colorado River, that flow has been curtailed considerably.

In fact, a recent state survey found that 76 of the state's 414 water districts either don't now or won't later have enough water to meet this year's expected demand. Further, some water district administrators are taking December's drenching rainstorms with "a grain of salt." 

Why? Last year, the state had considerable rainfall in the last months of the year, and then – nothing.  It was the driest January through March in the state's recorded history.

We must add, however, that some water districts are faring better than others. For instance:

• The East Bay Municipal Utility District, just east of San Francisco, is in good shape, with only a nine percent water deficit.

• Sacramento, the state's capital, is reporting a significant surplus of 173 percent.

• Even better, the northern part of the state that borders Oregon has an 834 percent surplus. Not only have they received considerable moisture, but this is one of the least populated parts of the state.

But here's one of the problems the state is confronting. Some of these water districts still are not connected to other water systems in the state. "Unfortunately, we can't help our neighbors," says John Freidenback with the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District.

One of their neighbors is Sonoma County. One of the state's fastest-growing counties, the chief engineer says Sonoma county's major reservoir level is at less than 40 percent of capacity.

However, California’s other big problems with water are in the southern half of the state. Even with all the rain, most consumers in this part of the state will face continued outdoor watering restrictions, including bans.  

One district near Los Angeles, the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, says things are still so bad they are currently facing a 63 percent water shortfall. "This means that if a household normally uses 100 gallons of water, we (the district) will only be able to deliver 37 gallons," according to Mike McNutt, the public affairs officer for the district.

So, what can the state do about this situation? Some of the actions they have chosen to take are these:

Keep water restrictions in place. Residents and businesses can only water gardens and lawns once every seven days in most areas.

Enforce restrictions. In many parts of the state, residents and businesses can only use a set amount of water per month. If they go over that amount, first offenders will get a slap on the hand.  If it happens again, water restrictors will be installed, and fines will be imposed. These water restrictors can remain in place from two weeks to three months, depending on the number of violations.

Accept the fact that water efficiency is now a way of life in California.  Most of the state's residents are already doing this. Water consumption has dropped 12.6 percent in the state since October 2020. In fact, water consumption has fallen by more than half in the past decade.

One way this is being accomplished is through installing water using technologies that use less or no water at all. A perfect example is the installation of waterless urinals. California, and much of the world, can no longer waste 35,000 gallons of water per year to flush one urinal. That's no longer sustainable; at least in California, they realize that now.

Klaus Reichardt is CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc, pioneers in advancing water efficiency. Reichardt founded the company in 1991 with the goal of establishing a new market segment in the plumbing fixture industry with water efficiency in mind. Reichardt is a frequent writer and presenter, discussing water conservation issues.  He can be reached at klaus@waterless.com

Winner of Waterless Co 2022 “Leadership of the Year Award” Announced

Vista, CA – January 5, 2023- Each year, Waterless Co. Inc recognizes organizations, vendors, or customers that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in helping others or are promoting water efficiency by honoring them with their Leadership of the Year Award.

 For 2022, Waterless Co is proud to honor Project Living Hope, an organization based in Haiti.

 In a country that has been subjected to assassinations, internal violence, recent hurricanes, earthquakes, and virtually complete lack of potable water, Project Living Hope stands out as “a flicker of light at the end of a long, dark tunnel,” according to Klaus Reichardt, CEO, and Founder of Waterless Co.

The organization, founded by Haitian-born Dr. Guesly Dessieux, has been working since 2014 to help Haiti get back on its feet, become more self-sufficient, sustainable, and educate young people.

Reichard says Project Living Hope has four key goals:

1.    Provide education and athletics for young people.

2.    Teach Haitians practical skills such as auto repair, electrical work, and even culinary skills.

3.    Community development.

4.    Disaster preparedness.

“They are making a difference,” says Reichardt, “I can see it in the smiling faces of the kids they are working with.”

Project Living Hope now has twenty acres of land near Camp Marie, Haiti. This has become the heart of the organization and its operational center. 

“Few people, even in Haiti, are aware of this organization,” adds Reichardt. “But they are doing splendid work, especially considering all the difficulties Haiti is now facing. We are proud to honor them with our Leadership of the Year award for 2022.”

About Waterless

Waterless Co. Inc. has established a well-respected reputation as being an innovative manufacturer of no-water urinal systems.  Based in Vista, Ca, the 31- year-old company is the oldest manufacturer of waterless urinals in North America.  The company offers a full line of Waterless No-Flush urinals, cleaning liquids, and cost saving accessories. Visit: www.waterless.com 

Waterless Co. Inc.

1050 Joshua Way
Vista, CA 92081 USA
800.244.6364

sales@waterless.com

Waterless Co. Extends a Helping Hand to Haiti’s Project Living Hope

Most of us have never heard of Camp Marie, Haiti.

In fact, if we hear about Haiti at all, it's typically about regrettable circumstances that few countries worldwide are grappling with. Among these are the following:

• The assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021

• Earthquakes in 2010 and again in 2021

• Repercussions from Hurricane Matthew in 2016

• Ongoing internal strife and war

• COVID-19: nearly 35,000 confirmed cases of COVID resulting in about 900 deaths.

And, unfortunately, there's more. Right now, more than half of the people in Haiti are unemployed. This is one reason why nearly five million people in the country suffer from reliable access to food, referred to as food insecurity.

And for those with a job, the World Food Program recently reported that working people in Haiti spend about 35 percent of their daily income on just one meal. That's the equivalent of about $75 for one lunch in New York.

Something else impacting the Haitian people is the fact that, right now, there is little or no potable (drinkable) water. Everyone must purchase water, and if funds are short – as they so often are – this can be very difficult.

However, at Camp Marie, there is hope, even a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel. That's because of an organization called Project Living Hope.

Dr. Guesly Dessieux

Dr. Guesly Dessieux started Project Living Hope in 2014. Guesly was born in Cap-Haitian, Haiti. When he was eight years old, his family immigrated to the United States, hoping for a brighter future.

He attended medical school in Kansas City, Missouri, and completed his residency in Jefferson City, Missouri. He now practices family medicine in Stayton, Oregon, and has led several medical mission trips to Haiti.

 But his goal has always been to do more for Haiti than medical work. His ambition is to help the country get back on its feet, become self-sufficient and sustainable, and for the young people in the country to have a future.

 That's where Project Living Hope comes into the picture.  The four key goals of the organization are the following:

1. Athletics for young people to keep them focused on learning and not gangs, according to Guesly

2. Learning practical job skills in such fields as auto repair, construction, electrical work, and in the future, high-tech technology, and even culinary skills

3. Community development

4. Disaster preparedness.

Fortunately, the organization has been able to accomplish many of these goals and more. For instance, according to Laura Polynice with Project Living Hope, among their recent successes are the following:

• Purchase nearly 20 acres of land near Camp Marie to become the "heart" and operational center of the organization.

• Launch soccer and English education programs for Haitian children.

• Move more than 80,000 cubic yards of soil as part of an excavation project to improve the Camp.

• Establish vocational shops and classrooms for young Haitians.

• Build safe and hygienic bathrooms.

• Create a basketball court.

• Build a commercial kitchen, fruit drying, and purified water center, which are now awaiting critical pieces of equipment before making them fully operational 

Impressed with What Has Been Accomplished 

"What has impressed me most about Project Living Hope is all the good they are doing in Haiti," says Klaus Reichardt, CEO of Waterless Co., Inc., manufacturers of waterless urinals.

"Their work is being done quietly and is ongoing. I've seen the successes, the smiles on the faces of the kids they work with, and I am very impressed with what they have accomplished."

Each year, Waterless Co. seeks out organizations they wish to help. The company looks for organizations doing good that could just use a helping hand. In 2022, Waterless Co. donated waterless urinals to Project Living Hope, which are now installed in Camp Marie.

"They (Project Living Hope) are on our list again in 2023," adds Reichardt. "We look for organizations we want to succeed, and Project Living Hope is certainly one of them."

It Was the Floor Drains That Were Guilty

Almost twenty years ago, the first case of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, was reported. The victim was a 48-year-old Chinese businessman traveling through Hong Kong. 

Surprisingly quickly, the disease spread to many other parts of Asia and other parts of the world. Even North America was impacted. The first recognized North American case of SARS occurred in Toronto when a woman who had just returned from Hong Kong fell ill from the virus on February 23, 2003.  

In a short period, 257 people living in the greater Toronto area also came down with the disease, and public health officials suspect the transmission may have started with this first victim. This is because many of the SARS victims were patients, visitors, and healthcare workers in Toronto-area hospitals, which, due to lack of information, awareness, or neglect, had not adopted measures to stop the transmission.

About 8,000 people were stricken with the disease during this outbreak, and about 775 died from it.

At first, it was not clear how SARS was being spread. Very often, diseases are transferred by cross-contamination: the virus is living on something or someone and then transfers to something or someone else. Public health officials initially believed this was how SARS was spreading. However, in time researchers discovered that the primary way SARS spread was through airborne transmission.

SARS and the Amoy Gardens Apartments 

In September 2003, the World Health Organization published some of its first studies on SARS and found that SARS likely started in China. It found its way to Hong Kong through that city's Amoy Gardens apartment building.  

An upscale high-rise complex, many apartments in this building and other Hong Kong apartment buildings have floor drains in their kitchens and bathrooms. Researchers discovered that fecal droplets containing the SARS virus were present in the building's drainage system, but they weren't sure how the virus was getting into the apartments.

While looking for a connection, the researchers discovered that many floor drains did not have a water trap seal. A water trap seal is created when water builds up in a U-shaped pipe under the drain. 

The reason this U-shaped pipe is installed in most drains around the industrialized world is to prevent sewer odors from being released into the air. In the case of the Amoy Garden apartments, the drains had dried out, which is not uncommon, and the fecal droplets containing the virus drifted up the pipes, became airborne and caused the illness to spread.

The Office Facility Connection

A close look at many office facilities finds that floor drains are often present throughout the complex. They are commonly located in restroom areas and kitchen areas. Mopping and cleaning these floors usually keeps these water traps filled with water. This way, no odors or airborne contaminants are released.

However, floor drains are also found in scores of other areas of an office building, such as mechanical, electrical, and HVAC rooms, that may not receive such cleaning. As a result, these floor drains can and do dry out, releasing odors. And should disease-causing contaminants, bacteria, or viruses exist in the sewer pipes below, there is potential that they can spread disease, just as happened at the Armoy Gardens apartments.

There are relatively easy and inexpensive ways to prevent this. One way is to pour a small amount of a liquid trap sealer such as EverPrime into all drains. This can keep the trap sealed for months, possibly years. Schools often use EverPrime to help prevent drain pipes from drying out over the summer and winter months when their buildings are primarily vacant.

While no one can say with certainty, the SARS epidemic could have been minimized if health officials had realized sooner that SARS was spread through the air and that a simple plumbing fix could have helped stop the transmission. This experience, while unfortunate, has taught us the importance of water trap seals not only to keep odors out of buildings but also to prevent the spread of disease and maintain the health of building inhabitants and visitors. 

Facility managers should ensure that the floor drains in their buildings are filled at all times, especially in those areas that do not receive much moisture. This is where the possibility, if not likelihood, that the floor drains will dry out, a situation that can easily be prevented with EverPrime.

A frequent speaker and author on water conservation issues, Klaus Reichardt is the founder and CEO of Waterless Co. Inc, Vista, CA, maker of waterless urinals and other restroom products. He founded the company in 1991 to establish a new market segment in the plumbing fixture industry with water conservation in mind. He may be reached at Klaus@waterless.com.

Questions and Answers About Waterless Urinals

The following are questions from the editor of Campus Facility Magazine

 Answers are provided by Klaus Reichardt, CEO of Waterless Co., Inc.

 

Editor: What are some initial and long-term benefits for colleges that install waterless urinals?

Klaus Reichardt: One of the first cost savings comes with installation. Waterless urinals do not have flush handles or sensory systems or require the plumbing, piping, or incoming water lines necessary to bring water to the urinal—these are what cost the most when installing conventional urinals.

Waterless urinal systems rarely require repairs. For this reason, some busy bars and restaurants have switched to waterless systems. The manager of one popular Austin, TX restaurant said that after a busy Saturday night, at least one of the restaurant’s conventional urinals or their flush handles were usually tampered with, broken, or clogged with debris. With waterless urinals, this rarely happens.

Then there are the actual water savings. A single conventional urinal can use as much as 35,000 gallons of potable water per year. This is not only a water saving but a cost saving. It can cost as much as $2 per gallon to deliver and drain water from a facility. These charges are passed on to customers in increased utility fees or higher taxes.

What are the costs associated with waterless urinals once they are installed?

Due diligence is required when selecting a waterless urinal system. Although the assorted brands look and work similarly, there are differences that, if overlooked, can undermine the expected savings. For example, the trap/cylinders placed at the bottom of the urinal in some models may require more frequent changing and can be awfully expensive, as much as US$50 each.

Managers must know that the trap/cylinder in other brands can last considerably longer and cost as little as $10.00 each.  This is why due diligence is so necessary.

How does the technology work?

The way waterless urinal systems work is quite simple. Instead of using water to flush away urine, gravity drains the urine into the trap/cylinder we just mentioned.

The cylinder is filled with a thin layer of liquid sealant, which must be re-filled as necessary, a quick and easy procedure. As the urine passes through the trap/cylinder and sealant, which prevents odors from being released into the restroom, the urine flows into a conventional drainpipe, much the same way a traditional urinal works.

How about cleaning a waterless urinal?

In most cases, a waterless urinal is cleaned using an all-purpose cleaning solution, cloth, or sponge. A disinfectant can also be used if necessary. However, because the interior of the unit is dry, bacteria, germs, and other contaminants rarely develop. This is more hygienic and also helps protect indoor air quality because fewer germs become airborne.

Can you comment on any other trends in water that our readers should know?

When Waterless Co., Inc was founded three decades ago, areas of North America had droughts, but those droughts would last a year or two and would be soon forgotten.

Those days are over. Many parts of North America are experiencing ongoing dry conditions – referred to as aridification – which appear to be the new normal when it comes to their climate. This means dry, warmer weather is now a permanent condition. Instead of a drought ending in a couple of years, we will see just the opposite: occasional wet years with droughts soon returning.

This means finding more ways to reduce water consumption and improve water efficiency is now an ongoing journey. And it can be done. California has reduced water consumption by more than 60 percent in the past three decades. This proves we can do this, and no-water urinals can help make it happen.

The Forgotten Part of Restroom Care – Drains

This article was first published in CMM

When it comes to restroom care protocols, the focus is invariably on the cleanliness and appearance of restroom fixtures, floors, walls, counters, and mirrors. However, cleaning
professionals should know there is one especially critical area that is often overlooked in the cleaning process—drains, specifically floor drains.

Escaped sewer odors

Problems with drains date back to the introduction of commercial and residential plumbing. An article published in the June 1877 issue of London’s Journal of the Society of Art discusses how in 1852, “an alarming outbreak of fever took place in Croydon (a section of London) on the introduction of a [sewage] system…the chief cause of the outbreak was the escape of infected air from the sewers into house(s) and the inhalation by persons susceptible to the disease.” The article goes on to say, “the house drains and soil pipes are uninterrupted.”

Uninterrupted meant there were no U-traps installed, or, if there were, they had dried up. Working properly, U-traps would have prevented the escape of sewer odors, likely preventing the fever. 

Fumes from the vents

Let’s jump ahead to modern day to examine another incident that shows us why proper drain care is essential. In December 2016, a gastrointestinal outbreak was reported among 154 diners attending a Christmas buffet in Finland. Researchers tested food, water, ice, and air ventilation systems in the restaurant, looking for indicators of the outbreak’s cause. They found that three ice cube machines had high levels of bacteria. The investigators concluded a faulty air ventilation valve where the ice cube machines were located was a likely cause of this outbreak and that leaking air ventilation valves may represent a neglected transmission route in viral gastrointestinal outbreaks.

But there’s more. The air ventilation systems were releasing fumes because the U-traps where the ice machines were located were not working properly. The researchers said that this release of fumes was “similar to what caused the outbreak of SARS,” which we will discuss next. They stated:

“We have noticed that drains have been largely neglected in routine inspections and that leaking U-traps (those that are not working correctly) are a common feature in so-called high hygiene areas of food processing facilities.”

In other words, proper drain care is necessary to protect human health, not only in restrooms but also in commercial kitchens and food processing areas.

Drainpipe sewage

Now let’s review the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Hong Kong to help us understand just how vital drain maintenance is to the health of building occupants.

SARS was first detected in Hong Kong in March 2003. Within a brief period, medical authorities identified 1,750 cases, and 286 people died of the respiratory disease. From March onward, authorities in other countries also identified cases of SARS, including at least two cases in Canada.

After the cases subsided, health inspectors set out to find out what caused the outbreak. While the inspectors initially thought people caught SARS by touching contaminated surfaces, the real culprit turned out to be drains, and more specifically, floor drains.

The researchers collected effluent in the drainpipes—referred to as soil stacks—from all floors of a Hong Kong apartment building. They inspected U-shaped traps in all the bathroom floor drains, installed to prevent odors and insects from escaping from the drains.

One key investigation published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine in August 2003 reported:

“The U-traps (in the bathrooms) must contain water (to operate correctly). Because most households were in the habit of cleaning the bathroom floor by mopping rather than flushing with water, the U-traps connected to most floor drains were dry and not functioning properly.”

Researchers found the SARS pathogen in the drain sewage. They determined the dry U-traps allowed fumes from the sewage to be released into the bathrooms through the floor drains. Apartment residents in certain sections of the complex contracted SARS when they inhaled the fumes.

Proper care for floor drains

Now that we are aware of why proper drain care is so important, we need to discuss how to accomplish it. But before we do, let’s discuss what not to do:

·        Do not ignore restroom odors. When odors develop in a restroom, facility managers and cleaning professionals often decide the best solutions are to ventilate the room and perhaps add air purifying systems. While ventilation helps and air purifiers may cover the odors, the problem of sewer odors coming from floor drains remains. Gases entering the restroom, such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen, can be harmful if inhaled in large quantities.

·        Do not pour bleach down drains. Bleach is a powerful solution that can react with other chemicals and substances, including the gases mentioned above, releasing even more harmful fumes. While the bleach may kill bacteria, it can also damage pipes. Further, it is not an environmentally friendly option. 

With what not to do out of the way, here are some steps to eliminate drain odors:

·        Check plumbing vents. All residential and commercial facilities have plumbing vents. Known as a vent stack, these vents regulate air pressure, allow fresh air into the plumbing system, and release foul air. However, these vents can become clogged. When this happens, offensive and unhealthy odors are released into
restrooms. Your plumber can help address this.

·        Check under the floor. Leaks in the drainage pipe allow soiled moisture to build up under the facility, such as in a basement. The resulting bacterial growth releases odors into
the restroom.

·        Keep your U-trap wet. We discussed earlier what can happen when a U-trap is dry. Pouring water down all floor drains every two weeks can prevent this. However, in most cases, this is a temporary fix. The trap will likely become dry again very soon. A better option is to use EverPrime. Mixed with water, EverPrime maintains a liquid seal in the U-trap that can last for months.

·        Call a plumber. If the odor persists after you take the steps above, it is probably the result of something more serious such as a damaged pipe. Drainpipes can crack due to weather extremes, tree roots, building settling, corrosion, poor design, and age. A damaged drainpipe can become blocked, preventing the sewage from being carried away to the sewer line and causing fumes to release into restrooms. Hire a licensed plumber to repair a damaged pipe or vent.

Although drains are not the most visible indicator of a clean restroom, it’s impossible to have an effective restroom care program without proper drain care. When lacking proper attention, drains
can release foul odors that are not only unpleasant but that also pose serious health risks for building users. Don’t forget the drains.

 Klaus Reichardt is CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc, pioneers in advancing water efficiency.  Reichardt founded the company in 1991 with the goal of establishing a new market segment in the plumbing fixture industry with water efficiency in mind. Reichardt is a frequent writer and presenter, discussing water conservation issues.  He can be reached at klaus@waterless.com

What is a U-Trap?

A U-trap, also called a U-pipe, is shaped like the letter u. It is found under the sink of virtually all drains. It is designed to hold water, which prevents odors from being released into a restroom.

Inside France's Water Wars

The Gist: 

After a scorching summer that climatologists called a harrowing postcard from the future, with record heat waves, wildfires, and droughts that dried up rivers, France is now embroiled in a widening battle over who should get priority to use its water and how.

The French government has decided to build large reservoirs around the country primarily to serve farmers during the increasingly arid spring and summer months. But what the government calls an adaptation to climate change, opponents deem it an aberration. They consider water privatization to benefit a few outdated industrial farmers.

Background:

While the competition for scarce water is usually associated with arid regions in the Middle East and Africa, Europe is not immune. Historically in France, farmers assume two out of ten will be drought years. "But today, ten years out of 10, we risk not being able to water our fields," says François Petorin, a French farmer who grows wheat, rapeseed, and sunflowers.

Happening Now:

Confrontations between farmers, the French government, and those opposed to building more reservoirs have grown increasingly ugly — a taste of the water wars predicted to worsen worldwide as temperatures rise.

Rather than forcing farmers to find less water-intensive forms of agriculture, the reservoirs will increase their water use largely to irrigate corn fields, opponents argue.

Recently, thousands of activists opposed to the latest reservoir under construction in the western region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine faced off against some 1,600 military police officers in the middle of rapeseed fields and the dried-up remains of wheat.

The normally picturesque countryside has been transformed into a scene from a dystopian novel where police officers wearing riot gear, armored trucks shooting tear gas canisters, and helicopters roaring overhead to control protesters. 

Long-term Perspective

"Difficult situations like this will likely spread around the world in the coming years," says Klaus Reichardt, CEO, and Founder of Waterless Co., Inc.  (www.waterless.com)

"There are no easy answers; the best way to address temporary water shortages, multi-year droughts, and aridification (a permanent climate change) is by using water more efficiently and responsibly."

Source: The New York Times, November 28, 2022

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/27/world/europe/france-climate-change-water-wars.html?searchResultPosition=1

Thanksgiving Message from Waterless Co., Inc.

“Water is the lifeblood of our planet

Water is vital for all forms of life.

Water is a teacher and a healer.

You’ll see water in turbulence, and you will see water in peace.

It’s the river of life flowing through you - through all of us.

Let’s always be grateful for water, use it wisely, and efficiently.”

~~ Klaus Reichardt, CEO Waterless Co