Legislation would require waterless urinals

As Arizona continues to combat drought and improve water management, one lawmaker says he has a plan to “stop flushing taxpayer money down the drain” by installing waterless urinals in government buildings.

Rep. Bob Thorpe, R-Flagstaff, has introduced a bill to require state buildings to convert their urinals to waterless urinals over the next two years.

House Bill 2428 also would require public buildings in cities, towns and counties to update their urinals if they undergo a remodeling project that costs more than $10,000, and to install them in new public buildings.

The state passed a law in 2004 that told the Department of Administration to install waterless urinals in all new state buildings if it was in the state’s best interest, but Thorpe said that the 2004 bill was treated more as a recommendation.

He said 13 flush-able urinals still exist in the House building alone.

“National standards are that in a commercial setting these types of units can save up to roughly 40,000 gallons per year,” Thorpe said. “It appears that the payback is approximately 18 months — as far as the cost of replacing the (flush-able) unit.”

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, replacing a flush-able urinal can save between one half and 4.5 gallons per flush. While the federal standard for new urinals is 1.0 gallon per flush, older models of urinals may still use much more, according to the EPA.

How do waterless urinals work?

Modern waterless urinals have been in use since the 1990s, and all have the same basic function, relying on gravity to move the waste, and oil to contain the smell. After deposited into the bowl urine is slowed and sent through a debris-catching filter before reaching an oil-based substance.

With a higher density than the oil, the urine sinks below the oil, which behaves as a trap door. The urine then enters the plumbing system.

Thorpe said the negotiations over the drought contingency plan helped inspire him to look for ways the state could do its part to cut back on water.

“If we’re asking farmers and others to reduce their water usage than I think the state ought to as well,” Thorpe said. “It’s my hope that we’re going to be saving potentially millions and millions of gallons within the state.”

John Ricart, a plumber with West Coast Plumbing & Air in Phoenix, said waterless urinals are the wave of the future.

He said the models are typically easy to install but can have some issues meshing with original plumbing. He also said some tiling might be needed to cover up where the silver handle of an older urinal may have stuck out from the wall.

“If it’s a new build or a remodel (waterless urinals are) the way to go,” Ricart said. “You have to think about the environmental impact.”

He said the units save money in the long term, even if there are some costs such as replacing the oil trap,which often is needed once a year.

Other ways to save water

The US Green Building Council said that while waterless urinals are a good step, there are many more options to make buildings more environmentally friendly.

“We commend the state for addressing this important issue and would encourage the bill sponsors to consider addressing all water fixtures, including indoor use, outdoor use, specialized uses and metering, and to use a water budget approach rather than requiring a specific fixture type,” USGBC said in an emailed statement.

The bill has been assigned to the House Government Committee. Thorpe said he believes the bill has a good chance of making it into law.

“I’ve had conversations with the speaker (Rep. Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa) — he’s completely on board,” Thorpe said. “I haven’t gotten anyone who has expressed anything negative toward the bill.”

Thorpe said on Wednesday that the bill as worded didn’t entirely reflect his intentions. He wants the bill to require the waterless urinals on all new commercial buildings and buildings with remodeling over $10,000 to install them.

He said he planned to discuss amendments with his colleagues, but it is unclear whether additions would be made.