The cost of water continues to rise, and many facility managers are looking for ways to improve efficiency and stick to their budgets. From leveraging technology to adopting leak detection strategies to increasing operational efficiency, facilities need a plan to manage rising rates.

One way that managers can increase operational efficiencies and lower their water bills is by adopting infrastructure upgrades and retrofits by switching older tools and equipment for newer versions. While that does require investment, thinking long-term can help businesses cut overall costs over time.

Many facility managers are choosing waterless urinals when upgrading their facilities. “The primary driver remains water savings,” says Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of Waterless Co. “But right behind that is the impact on water and sewer utility bills – and those bills have gotten significantly harder to ignore.”

In some part of North America, like Arizona, water rates have surged as much as 50 per cent since 2022, driven largely by reduced water allocations to the state. As another example, in southern California, rate increases ranging from 20 to 60 per cent have hit customers depending on the district. With no relief in sight, managers are looking for every opportunity to cut consumption and cut costs.

Beyond the savings, managers cited several additional reasons for making the switch to waterless urinals:

• Lower maintenance costs — With no flush valves, handles, or sensors, there are fewer parts to break and fewer repair calls to make.
• Tenant appeal — Environmentally conscious tenants increasingly expect green building practices.
• Better odour control — Liquid sealant cartridges block sewer gases effectively when properly maintained.
• Touchless hygiene — No handle or sensor means one less surface for germ transmission.
• Simpler installation — No water supply line is needed, making retrofits faster and less expensive.
• Greater placement flexibility — Fixtures can be installed in locations where running plumbing would be difficult.

There are trade-offs, of course, including cleaning staff training requirements and occasional pushback from building occupants skeptical of the technology, but Reichardt says those concerns rarely override the bottom line. “Resoundingly, the primary drivers are water savings and cost savings — especially in drought-prone regions.”

As water costs continue to rise, converting to waterless urinals may provide some relief to facility managers looking to improve operations and save on their water bills.