The Evolution of Waterless Urinals: Early Challenges and Their Solutions

Because they have helped so many facilities reduce water consumption tremendously, we could say that waterless urinals have revolutionized restrooms. 

However, it did not happen overnight.   Below is a discussion of how they have evolved over the decades along with early challenges that were later addressed.

Background

In May 2004, waterless urinals were still a novel technology, with Waterless Co., Inc. as the primary marketer.

At the Fourteenth Symposium on Improving Building Systems in Hot and Humid Climates in Richardson, Texas, engineers Gary Bristow, James D. McClure, and David Fisher, presented a research paper "Waterless Urinals: Features, Benefits and Applications." Their study identified several benefits as well as key challenges with these fixtures.

Looking back after two decades, let’s examine how these initial challenges have been addressed over time:

Challenge 1: User Acceptance

Initially, building owners and managers reported that users were hesitant to use waterless urinals for the simple reason: they did not know how they work as no flush valves were present.

Two pioneering American universities solved this by installing educational signage that explained the urinals' operation. They emphasized that users simply needed to use the fixture as usual and walk away – no flushing required. As other facilities adopted this approach and waterless urinals became more common, the need for explanatory signs has largely disappeared.  

Challenge 2: Maintenance Concerns

Early maintenance workers were reluctant or were not knowledgeable on how to service waterless urinals, as flushing was no longer present and due to their unique design feature: a cartridge at the base that collects urine before it enters the sewer line. This cartridge also prevents sewer odors from escaping. This early challenge was resolved through two improvements:

1. Development of more user-friendly cartridge removal tools

2. Enhanced training programs for maintenance personnel

These changes simplified the cartridge replacement process. It is now a straightforward procedure that takes just a few seconds and effectively eliminates maintenance staff concerns.  

Challenge 3: Installation Requirements 

When replacing conventional urinals with waterless urinals, it is necessary to remove the flush valves and cap the water supply lines. Additionally, in some remodeling cases, the waterless urinal may need to be positioned higher or lower than the conventional urinal that was previously installed.  This is because the flush mechanism – either manual or automatic – has been eliminated because it is no longer needed.  

Despite these challenges, today installing waterless urinals has become common practice, and plumbers and contractors are generally familiar with quick and cost-effective methods to perform these installations. In newer buildings, it may not even be necessary to alter existing plumbing, as the waterless urinal can be placed over the same footprint as the conventional urinal with the water supply turned off.  

Challenge 4: Costs 

Today, waterless urinals are comparable in price to conventional urinals and their flush mechanisms, depending on the model chosen. While costs were once a concern, the entrance of multiple manufacturers into the market has led to increased competition, often resulting in more competitive pricing.   

More significantly, the long-term savings associated with waterless urinals effectively address any cost issues. According to Bluefield Research, water costs in the U.S. have risen over 40% since 2012 and are still increasing. Since waterless urinals, as the name suggests, use no water whatsoever, building developers and managers can avoid this rising cost burden making the installation of waterless urinals a long-term cost savings.

The Takeaway

“Over time, we've successfully overcome the few challenges associated with installing waterless urinals,” says Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of Waterless Co., Inc.  “As with any new technology, we've learned and improved.”

Predictions indicate that water scarcity will be a significant concern in the coming years, even within the United States. “By addressing these past challenges,” adds Reichardt, “we can now facilitate a smoother and more seamless transition to waterless urinals in the years to come."