VIDEO: Why WE Don't Realize the Value of Water

Before we begin, here is a little about Klaus Reichardt.

Klaus invented waterless urinals back in the late 1980’s. If you would like to learn more about waterless urinals, visit our website, www.waterless.com

And by all means, contact us with any questions. We are proud to have established waterless urinal technology and to remain the most cost-efficient waterless urinal manufacturer worldwide.

Now, here’s the video transcript below:

Robert Kravitz: Good morning. This is Robert Kravitz, and we have the chance to speak with Klaus Reichardt, President, CEO, and founder of Waterless Company, Inc. Klaus will discuss why we don't focus more on water, especially in this country. Klaus, I turn the microphone over to you.  

Klaus Reichardt: Hi, Robert. Thank you for the chance to be able to speak with you. Yes, being in the business for the last 30 years and focusing on water conservation, I want to drive home the point that we do not value water enough.

This includes water in our homes, for leisure, and in our offices.  

Even though the last couple of days here in Southern California, we have had rain again; we still do not have enough water. Most of our reservoirs are not catching water because they're crumbling reservoirs. So, fifty [percent] to sixty [percent] of the water is just going out and flowing into the ocean.

We also have water challenges in other areas. For example, outside of Phoenix, we have communities where the water is being turned off because there is insufficient water.

Then, we have a situation going on for years in Flint, Michigan. Here water was contaminated, so the population did not have water at all. We open the faucet, try to take a shower, or flush the toilet, and there is no water. So, the importance of water is essential, and often we need to realize this when there is no water at all.  

 This is becoming an issue for families, communities, and businesses.

 So, how can we save water? 

If somebody could develop a meter that tells us how much water we are using, as we use it that would be a start. Then we will know how much water is coming out of the faucet.

It's the same thing as when you put gas in your car. You're looking at how many gallons are going in the car, and you know how much you are using. It can help us conserve gas in the future. Same as water.  

We are a very price-sensitive population, and if we know how much water we are using, we'll start looking at ways to begin conserving.  

The other thing to look at is the 2021 U.S. Municipal Water and Wastewater Utility Rate Index. It reports that since 2012 [rates have] increased over 43 percent. That is a considerable number.

If you purchased a water bottle two years ago, it's now 40 percent more expensive. [Knowing this], you might think twice about buying that bottle of water again.

So, it’s a big issue for everyone to consider and that is how to conserve water immediately.

Robert Kravitz: This is excellent information. I like the analogy of filling up the gas. I know myself, as the gauge keeps going up and up, I usually pull the plug. I don't want it to go higher.

This was especially useful information.

Thank you, Klaus.

Water Audits: An Audit to Look Forward To

The owners and managers of commercial buildings are currently having a tough time.  One way to handle this challenge is to cut costs.  One way to do so is looking for ways to reduce water consumption in the facility.

Before going further, here are a few things building owners and managers should know:

•      Water is getting increasingly expensive. After decades of only minor cost increases, in some areas, water rates have risen 50 percent since 2010.

•      The U.S. Department of Environmental Protection has implemented clean water requirements that are causing sewer rates to increase around the country.

•      About one water pipe in the U.S. breaks every minute. To address this, we need new piping and water infrastructure that will cost at least $1 trillion. This will add more to the cost of water.

Aware of this, and to offset future water increases, owners and managers must perform a water audit. A water audit is something to look forward to.

It analyzes a building's current water consumption, discovering where consumption can be reduced or eliminated, and where water can be used more efficiently.

We used the term "efficiently" for a reason. We are not trying to conserve water, which is a short-term measure. Instead, we are looking for ways to reduce water consumption long-term and into the future. This is water efficiency.

First Steps in Conducting a Water Audit

The first thing necessary to ensure your water audit is a success is to have the C-suite behind it.  Unless the C-suite is behind the program, or better yet, initiated the program, it may fail.

After this, we need to create a "water audit team." These are the people that will oversee the program and ensure that the recommendations from the audit are implemented. Typically, this involves management, building engineers, and members of the custodial department. View the cleaning crew as the "eyes and ears" of the building.

Finally, while water audits often are conducted in-house, a decision must be made if that is the wisest thing to do. It might be best to turn the project over to specialists for a large facility or an older building.

Critical Steps in the Water Audit

What we need next is the plumbing layout of the facility. If necessary, these plans, which the local building department will have, indicate where water is delivered in the property, to the building, drainage systems, and where it leaves the facility.

The next steps include the following: 

·       Gather 24 months of water bills; we are not focused on the charges but on the amount of water consumed in the facility. This becomes your benchmark - where things stand now when it comes to water consumption.

·       Conduct a walk-through of the building with plumbing plans in hand. Locate pipes, fixtures, and other water-using and water-removing systems.

·       In the walk-thru process check if pipes are damp or if you see a leak. Look for leaks around toilets, old urinals, and sinks. Note them for later repair/replacement. Restroom fixtures typically use more water than any other area in the building.

·       Examining water used for landscaped areas. See if irrigation systems are turned on automatically and for a set period? Is it performed during the day or in the evening? Are sprinklers used, or has a drip irrigation system been installed? The answers to these questions can help determine ways to reduce the water used for landscaping.

There is also a question the water audit team must keep in mind during the walk-through, and that is: Why is water used here? For instance, water audits in manufacturing facilities often locate areas where water is used, but the reasons for its use no longer exist, due to changes in the manufacturing process.

Taking the Three-Bucket Approach to Reduce Water Consumption

Now that we have a better idea of where water is used, wasted, or not needed in a facility, we can look for ways to reduce water consumption. The fastest and most organized way to address this is to have three buckets.

One bucket is for things we can do now at minimal cost; a second bucket for items that can be corrected over the next six to twelve months at a moderate expense; and a third that may take a year or more to address and more costly.

Examples of how this might work include the following:

Bucket No. 1: Fixing leaks is usually the quickest, least expensive, and, one of the most effective ways to reduce water consumption in a commercial facility.

Bucket No. 2: This bucket focuses on restrooms. If your facility's toilets and urinals are over a decade old, they are using more water than initially designed. One of the most cost-effective ways to update toilets and urinals is to have them all replaced simultaneously. This gives building owners/managers leverage over purchasing and installation costs.

Also, look for modern technologies. High-efficient toilets are widely installed as are waterless urinals. Because waterless urinals can save about 35,000 gallons of water annually, this can significantly reduce water consumption.

Bucket No. 3: We still need to address water used for HVAC systems. New HVAC systems have several water-reducing technologies. A professional should inspect these.

View it as a Journey

Earlier, we said the C-suite must be behind the water audit and water consumption reduction overall. We noted this helps ensure that the audit is a success. However, another key reason is this: realizing water efficiency is a journey. We must keep finding ways to reduce water consumption in the long-term. Doing so can pay dividends over time.

Klaus Reichardt, CEO & Founder at Waterless Co Inc | Thought Leader and Influencer | Helping Facilities Use Water More Efficiently, Reduce Water Consumption, and Lower Operating Costs.

Ten Quotes About Water from Klaus Reichardt

Over the years, Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc, has written scores of articles about water reducing technologies and the need to reduce water consumption. The following are ten key quotes pulled from those articles.

1.       “A word we must all learn and understand is ‘aridification.’ This refers to a gradual climate change in an area of the world, slowly progressing from a wetter to a drier climate. It’s happening all over the world, including in the U.S.”

2.       “Aridification does not mean a formerly wet area will always have dry weather. There may be wet years, such as what happened in California this year. However, long term, Aridification means the climate is changing and become direr.”

3.       “Many facility managers are unaware of the importance of keeping the U-traps installed under drains filled with water or a ‘liquid primer.’ SARS in Hong Kong spread throughout a building because the water in these U-traps had evaporated.”

4.      “ I am not focused on why climate change is happening. My focus is on accepting the fact that it is changing. What we must do is act. Install more efficient technologies as quickly as possible. This includes installing water-reducing/water-eliminating restroom fixtures in restrooms and building mechanicals.”

5.       “Water efficiency and Water Conservation are not the same. Water conservation refers to steps taken during a drought. Once the drought is over, those water-conserving steps usually disappear.

Water efficiency, on the other hand, is about the long-term reduction in water consumption. Typically, this involves installing technologies that reduce water consumption, eliminate water consumption, and help change human behavior so we use water more responsibly.”

6.       “We still have far too many large and small facilities that have not conducted a water audit. A water audit tells us where water is being used in a facility, wasted, and where it may not be needed. It also establishes a benchmark. A water reduction program starts with this this benchmark.”

7.       “We must realize that one of the primary focuses of sustainability in coming years will be water efficiency. Most areas of the world will need to find ways to reduce water consumption long term. Few areas of the world will be spared.”

8.       “For those who thought aquifers (underground water) would answer our drought and aridification problems, better think again. Entire housing developments in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and other states have been put on hold due to a lack of rainfall and dried up aquifers.”

9.       “Water shortages will have serious negative economic ramifications that will exacerbate if they are not addressed in the coming years. Water shortages and erratic and uncertain water supplies, along with rising populations, means more countries may see their gross domestic product decline due to lack of water.”

10.     “What is not getting the attention it needs is the fact that there is growing competition for water, between people, agriculture, and industry, and between one country and another. I fear this will get more serious in years to come.”

Klaus Reichardt, CEO & Founder at Waterless Co Inc | Thought Leader and Influencer | Helping Facilities Use Water More Efficiently, Reduce Water Consumption, and Lower Operating Costs.

NEWS from Waterless CO, Inc: 5 Urinal Malodor Issues and How to Fix Them

Waterless Urinal

While we do not hear about it much any longer, some facilities that have recently installed no-water urinals are encountering malodor issues. To explain what is likely happening and how to correct it, we must have a quick refresher on this topic.

To do this, we turn to Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc, the oldest marketer of waterless urinals in the U.S. If malodors are an issue, among the steps he suggests managers and cleaning professionals take are the following:

1). Clean walls and floors. Splatter is a concern with all types of urinals. The most common spatter landing spots are nearby walls, partitions, and floors. Regularly scheduled cleaning of these areas helps eliminate odors.

2). Replace the cartridges. Most waterless urinals have specially designed cartridges at the bottom of the urinal bowl. Also known as a trap, they are designed to temporarily hold urine and send it down the drain. Plus, they contain a sealing liquid that blocks sewer odors from being released into the restroom. Depending on use and cartridge type, these should be replaced every three to six months, and the sealing liquid replenished as needed.

3). Clogged urinal. If a water-using urinal is clogged, overflowing, or not draining correctly, the urinal needs to be removed from the wall, and the pipeline snaked. This is more of a problem with a water-using urinal, but it can happen with waterless urinals. On a waterless urinal, remove the cartridge, flush a bucket of water down the line, and insert a new sealant-filled cartridge. 

4). Clean the urinal. While water can address a clogging issue, it should not be used to clean a waterless urinal. This can flush out the sealing liquid in the cartridge. Instead, thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the urinal with an all-purpose cleaner and a disinfectant if needed. Typically, waterless urinals need only be cleaned with an all-purpose cleaner and wiped clean.

5). Retrofits. Many waterless urinals installed today are retrofits. The old water-using urinal is removed, and a new waterless urinal is installed. Managers should know that conventional urinals can leave deposit build-up in the plumbing below the urinal. For this reason, the drainage system should be snaked before the no-water urinal is installed.

“Odor problems apply to conventional and no-water using urinals,” says Reichardt. “No matter what type is installed, if there is urinal malodor, there usually is a reason. The steps discussed here will help in either case.”

Klaus Reichardt, CEO & Founder at Waterless Co Inc | Thought Leader and Influencer | Helping Facilities Use Water More Efficiently, Reduce Water Consumption, and Lower Operating Costs.

Six Tips on Restroom Renovations

A Restroom Begging for Restoration

Many facilities are now retrofitting their restrooms. Among the reasons they are doing this is to help keep restrooms cleaner and healthier, reduce water consumption, and find ways to lessen cleaning needs. In most commercial facilities, cleaning workers spend more time cleaning restrooms than any other area of a facility.

If you are retrofitting your restrooms, here are six tips to keep restrooms cleaner, healthier, and reduce water consumption.

1.      Install more touch-free devices. Most facilities have been going touchless for years. Toilets, urinals, and faucets no longer need to be touched for the fixtures to operate. But why stop there? Soap dispensers and paper-towel dispensers should also be touch-free. Installing these systems helps eliminate

cross-contamination, making handwashing much more sanitary. What’s more, many of these systems can be adjusted so they only release a measured amount of soap or paper per user-request. This minimizes costly waste.

2.    Select waterless urinals. Every couple of years, studies are conducted that determine the market future and growth of waterless urinals. No-water urinals, now available from many manufacturers, have proven to be odor-free and sanitary. Plus, many administrators select them because they cost less to purchase and install than traditional urinals that require flush valves, which can be costly and require extra plumbing, which is not needed with waterless urinals. The big benefit with no-water urinals, of course, is significant water reduction. 

3.    Consider plastic partitions. Many older restrooms have metal partitions. These can be heavy, requiring them to be bolted to both walls and floors, which makes cleaning the floors a challenge. Soil build-up around the bolted connections is quite common, as well as unsightly. Further, metal partitions can be easily scratched, which means they are more vulnerable to vandalism and graffiti. Plastic partitions, on the other hand, weigh less, so they need only be connected to surrounding walls, making it far easier to clean the floors. In addition, many plastic partitions are designed to be graffiti- and vandalism-resistant, so stalls and the entire restroom continue to look their best.

4.    Install new floors. New flooring can make a significant difference, not only in the appearance of the restroom but also in cleaning and maintenance. For years, many camp, park, and rec restrooms have had tile-and-grout restroom floors installed—often with small tiles. Although such floors can be attractive and provide slip-resistance, keeping them clean and sanitary is all-too-often a never-ending battle as they age. When installing new restroom floors, select seamless, one-piece epoxy flooring or a similar floor surface. These floors have waterproofing capabilities, can be pitched for drainage, are durable, and are much easier to clean and to keep clean.

5.    Select automatic sanitizers on toilets and urinals. These systems are often programmable and designed for use on many existing fixtures. They release a disinfectant after each flush of a toilet or urinal, coating the fixture and surrounding surfaces. They keep the fixtures cleaner and healthier, reduce odors, and can shorten cleaning frequencies throughout the day. 

6.    Purchase toilet-seat cleaning systems. Taking toilet cleaning a step further, restroom users can also do their part to help keep toilets cleaner and healthier. With some systems, a wave of the hand over the toilet activates a mechanism that automatically and quickly cleans, disinfects, and dries the toilet after each use. The entire process occurs without contact, ensuring sanitary conditions. 

Klaus Reichardt, CEO & Founder at Waterless Co Inc | Thought Leader and Influencer | Helping Facilities Use Water More Efficiently, Reduce Water Consumption, and Lower Operating Costs.

Eight Ways to Reduce Water Consumption Now

Old Restroom Fixtures

Many organizations are now actively working to improve community relations and prove to their neighbors, vendors, and customers that they strive to be environmentally sensitive and promote sustainability. Reducing water consumption is one way they are accomplishing this. But how can facilities reduce water consumption?

Here are eight steps I suggest:

 1.    Changing employee behaviors. Many facilities, just like many people, are accustomed to using water indiscriminately. We pay little attention to the amounts we use because water is inexpensive and readily accessible. To address this, many organizations are working with their staff — even creating training programs — to discuss the importance of reducing water consumption and provide them with ways to do so.

2.    Benchmarking consumption. Many facilities need to learn how much water they are consuming. Further, they may need to determine if one division in a facility uses more water than another and how much. This is what benchmarking is all about. Administrators must know how much water they are currently using before they can start saving water. To determine consumption, it is a wise idea to invest in submetering. These water meters in different facility areas indicate how much water a specific area consumes.

3.    Analyze the bill. Water utility bills should be analyzed and understood along with benchmarking water consumption. Some utility bills are quite complicated. Make sure you know how the bill is tabulated. Also, water utility bills should always be delivered to the operations officer first, not accounts payable. The accounting staff pays the bill; the operations officer examines the bill to see if the facility is reducing water consumption.

 4.    Prizes and incentives. Many large organizations have different divisions within the same building. Some administrators award prizes to those divisions that have most reduced water consumption within a certain period. These competitions, according to one administrator, are surprisingly effective.

5.    Messaging: In virtually every food service establishment, we see a poster or sign in restrooms that says, “employees must wash their hands before going back to work.”  Administrators should add another sign in their restrooms, saying “use water responsibly” or “remember to reduce water consumption every way you can.”

6.    Put staff in charge. Depending on how much water is used for irrigation of outdoor vegetation, in general, most water used in a facility is used inside the facility. Because of this, administrators should ask their staff to lead the way in reducing water consumption. They are the ones using the water; they can be the ones in charge of reducing water consumption.

7.    Minimizing the use of water for cleaning. Substantial amounts of water are used to clean commercial facilities. Such cleaning tasks as hosing floors and outdoor areas should be eliminated. Instead, consider indoor/outdoor pressure cleaning systems. The high pressure does more of the work, helping to loosen and remove soils, so that less water is needed.

8.    Check the age of restroom fixtures. Now is the time to find out how old your restroom fixtures are. Invariably, restrooms are remodeled every five to ten years, however that may be too long to wait. Here's a rule of thumb: If restroom fixtures are over ten years old, they should be replaced with new, "high efficiency" fixtures. As it pertains to urinals, installing no-water urinals can result in a dramatic reduction in water consumption.

Note: According to Mr. Rooter, a nationwide franchise of U.S. plumbers, restroom fixtures can last from fifteen to twenty years. However, the older they are, the more a price you pay for them.

Older restroom fixtures use more water, increase utility costs, and need to be repaired and serviced more often. It’s more cost effective to change them every few years.

Klaus Reichardt, CEO & Founder at Waterless Co Inc | Thought Leader and Influencer | Helping Facilities Use Water More Efficiently, Reduce Water Consumption, and Lower Operating Costs.

Waterless Co., Inc Celebrates Earth Day 2023

The Earth must have clean, fresh water for every living thing on this planet. We do that by protecting this, our most precious resource, and using water more efficiently. Waterless Co., Inc honors and celebrates Earth Day, not only on April 22 of each year, but throughout the year.

To help us better understand the importance of this world event, here are two things you may not know about Earth Day, along with ten quotes to honor this special day: 

What It's All About

Earth Day is an annual celebration that honors the achievements of the environmental movement. It raises awareness of the need to protect Earth's natural resources for future generations. Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 in the United States and most areas of the world. 

Why April 22?

 Earth Day falls on April 22. The day was chosen by the original event's organizer, Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson, for simple reasons. Earth Day was an event focused on college students. April 22 did not interfere with Spring Break, final exams, or major religious holidays such as Easter, and it was late enough in spring to anticipate decent weather for outdoor activities. 

10 Earth Day Quotes to Honor this Special Day

1.   "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it."— Robert Swan. 

2.   "If every day were Earth Day, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in."— Neil deGrasse Tyson.

3.   "I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things we could use."— Mother Teresa.

4.   "You are not Atlas carrying the world on your shoulder. Remember that the planet is carrying you."—E. E. Cummings.

5.   "If you can't be in awe of Nature, there's something wrong with you." —Alex Trebek.

6.   "It looks big, Earth. But there are lots of us here (7,523,458,567 and counting), so be kind." —Oliver Jeffers.

7.   "Earth rejoices our words, breathing, and peaceful steps. Let every breath, every word, and every step make mother earth proud of us."― Amit Ray.

8.   "No one comes from the Earth like grass. We come like trees. We all have roots." —Maya Angelou.

9.   "The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful." —E. E. Cummings.

10. "Even if you never have the chance to see or touch the ocean, the ocean touches you with every breath you take, every drop of water you drink, every bite you consume. Everyone, everywhere, is inextricably connected to and utterly dependent upon the existence of the sea." —Dr. Sylvia Earle

The BAJA Waterless Urinal: One of the Five Best Waterless Urinals on the Market

TheHomebit.com, a publication for the consumer and commercial plumbing industry, lists the Waterless BAJA urinal, as one of the five best No-Water Urinals now available:

The Waterless 2104 Baja Urinal is one of the most outstanding waterless urinals we are currently reviewing, says the publication.

Waterless Co., Inc. launched this model in 2012; and since then, it has been one of the best sellers on the market.

This urinal has a small and smart design. The length of Waterless 2104 Baja Urinal is 14.5 inches wide and 21.5 inches long. The item’s weight is exceptionally light at about 26.4 pounds.

The core material of this urinal is ceramic. Renovating technology has been applied to make this Waterless 2104 Baja Urinal more efficient, convenient, and user-friendly. It uses the highly recommended EcoTrap system.

The Waterless 2104 Baja Urinal is quite easy to install. It can be installed in traditional urinal settings of 2 inches waste line. If you have a 1.50 inches wide wastage line, then you can easily install it by joining with a reducer bushing.

Waterless 2104 Baja Urinal has no flush water supply lines. It has no handle, no requirements for sensors to install the mainframe, and no mobile parts at all.

Product Specifications

14 X 14.5 X 21.5 inches

Weight: 26.4 Pound

Material: Ceramic

Installation: Wall-mounted

Our Verdict: Highly recommended waterless urinal, not only because of its low price but also because the features of this urinal are outstanding.  

Easy installation process makes this model a prime choice for restroom renovation.  Itt could be the best fit for your home and office. 

 Shop now at Waterless.com

Five Urinal Malodor Issues and How to Fix Them

While we do not hear about it much any longer, some facilities that have recently installed no-water urinals are encountering malodor issues. 

To explain what is likely happening and how to correct it, we must have a quick refresher on this topic.

To do this, we turn to Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of Waterless Co., Inc, the oldest marketer of waterless urinals in the U.S. If malodors are an issue, among the steps he suggests managers and cleaning professionals take are the following:

1). Clean walls and floors. Splatter is a concern with all types of urinals. The most common spatter landing spots are nearby walls, partitions, and floors. Regularly scheduled cleaning of these areas helps eliminate odors.

2). Replace the cartridges. Most waterless urinals have specially designed cartridges at the bottom of the urinal bowl. Also known as a trap, they are designed to temporarily hold urine and send it down the drain. Plus, they contain a sealing liquid that blocks sewer odors from being released into the restroom. Depending on use and cartridge type, these should be replaced every three to six months, and the sealing liquid replenished as needed.

3). Clogged urinal. If a water-using urinal is clogged, overflowing, or not draining correctly, the urinal needs to be removed from the wall, and the pipeline snaked. Cogging is more of a problem with a water-using urinal, but it can happen with waterless urinals. On a waterless urinal, remove the cartridge, flush a bucket of water down the line, and insert a new sealant-filled cartridge. 

4). Clean the urinal. While water can address a clogging issue, it should not be used to clean a waterless urinal. This can flush out the sealing liquid in the cartridge. Instead, thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the urinal with an all-purpose cleaner and a disinfectant if needed. Typically, waterless urinals need only be cleaned with an all-purpose cleaner and wiped clean.

5). Retrofits. Many waterless urinals installed today are retrofits. The old water-using urinal is removed, and a new waterless urinal is installed. Managers should know that conventional urinals can leave deposit build-up in the plumbing below the urinal. For this reason, the drainage system should be snaked before the no-water urinal is installed.

“Odor problems apply to conventional and no-water using urinals,” says Reichardt. “No matter what type is installed, if there is urinal malodor, there usually is a reason. The steps discussed here will help in either case.”

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

Media Contact: Robert Kravitz

Phone: 312-880-8176

E-Mail: robert@alturasolutions.com

Why Aren't People Going Back to Work?

Recent studies suggest a variety of reasons why people are not returning to their old workspaces. The reasons are long commutes, they are more productive working at home, their lifestyle has become healthier, and they like flexibility. 

However, one overriding reason they are not returning to their old workspaces is disease. COVID has made them much more aware of how touching contaminated surfaces or inhaling airborne pathogens can pose serious risks.  

Because of this, Waterless Co., Inc suggests that facility managers take the following steps to ensure their facilities are healthy and encourage workers to return to the office.

Among these are the following:

Use antimicrobial coatings. These coatings are not new, but they are getting a much closer look due to the pandemic. Antimicrobial coatings are often applied to counters, walls, partitions, doors, and door handles, high-touch areas, even HVAC vents because they can become contaminated with germs and bacteria with use. Some paint manufacturers also apply them to their wall paint and primer products. Whether applied on surfaces or in paint, these coatings help inhibit the growth of pathogens in facilities.  

Separate entry and exit doors. Having individual entries and exits in restrooms helps improve flow. People can get in and out of the restroom faster, and it improves social distancing by reducing close interaction, helping to prevent the spread of the infection.

No doors/automatic doors. In large facilities, doors have been replaced with walkways and corridors for several years. This eliminates touching a door surface, and no surface touching is needed now. 

Put sinks in the center. While it is considered unusual in the U.S., having a sink counter in the center of the restroom with toilets and urinals surrounding it in Europe is quite common. There are several reasons restrooms may be redesigned with sinks in the center. Typically, the rows of sinks are on both sides of the center island, with mirrors dividing the areas. This allows more users to use the counter and minimizes congestion.

Everything close by. Restroom users want all the supplies they need in the restroom close by. This reduces interaction with other restroom users.  This also means that there will be more dispensers installed. No longer will there be just one dispenser on the wall to serve all users.

"Smart" toilets. Plume is airborne contaminants forced into the air when the toilet flushes. Further, these smart toilet lids may automatically descend before the toilet can be flushed. Surprise: lids may return to toilets to help mitigate toilet plume. 

Outflow ventilation. Ventilation should be enhanced so that it removes air from the restroom. This helps remove toilet and (water-using) urinal plume faster and helps remove germs and bacteria from the confined restroom space.  

Install more waterless urinals. Waterless urinals do not generate plume. Further, in addition to saving as much as 35,000 gallons of water per urinal per year, they help reduce carbon emissions. It takes electricity from fossil-fueled power plants to deliver and remove water from a facility. With waterless urinals installed, the amount of water delivered and removed is reduced, which helps reduce CO2 emissions. 

Enhanced custodial worker safety. In the past, most cleaning workers' critical safety concern when cleaning restrooms was eye and skin contact with cleaning solutions. Now, the concern is encountering the germs that cause the virus. Restrooms must be redesigned to require less physical touching of surfaces by cleaning workers.  

Smaller/Larger restrooms. We may see restrooms get smaller – one-person restrooms - or much larger in the coming years. A one-person restroom would be safer than one used by many people simultaneously. A larger restroom, on the other hand, will give users more space. This will allow for more distance between fixtures, again enhancing social distancing.  

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