wlur:waterless_urinals

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wlur:waterless_urinals [2025/12/17 04:30] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1wlur:waterless_urinals [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Waterless urinals+This topic is part of [[gt:water|Water & sewage]]. 
 +====== Waterless urinals ======
  
  
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-## What are waterless urinals?+===== What are waterless urinals? =====
  
 They are urinals that use no water to flush away the urine. The usage of waterless urinals is becoming more common in public buildings such as offices, stadiums, bars, hotels etc. They can also be installed domestically, although this is less common. They are urinals that use no water to flush away the urine. The usage of waterless urinals is becoming more common in public buildings such as offices, stadiums, bars, hotels etc. They can also be installed domestically, although this is less common.
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 To avoid using water in a urinal we must first consider what the water does. In a flush urinal, the U bend of continually-replenished water prevents smells from the sewer getting into the room. Water also cleans the fitting after use. So, these two objectives must be achieved by the waterless urinal technology. To avoid using water in a urinal we must first consider what the water does. In a flush urinal, the U bend of continually-replenished water prevents smells from the sewer getting into the room. Water also cleans the fitting after use. So, these two objectives must be achieved by the waterless urinal technology.
  
-### Basic urinal+==== Basic urinal ====
  
 There are some off-grid applications where a basic urinal with no trap can be installed at a campsite or an allotment (see picture). This unit has a vent flue that gets the odours out of the room. Urine is taken away via a drain pipe. There are some off-grid applications where a basic urinal with no trap can be installed at a campsite or an allotment (see picture). This unit has a vent flue that gets the odours out of the room. Urine is taken away via a drain pipe.
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-### Retrofit cartridges+==== Retrofit cartridges ====
  
 Flush urinals can be retrofitted and made waterless by inserting a cartridge / some sort of one-way valve that allows urine to pass though and then closes to keep out smells. This type of product can be attractive in the short term as the installation does not require the urinals to be changed. Some have active enzymes that claim to remove smells from the urine, and some include a strong-smelling urinal cake (those little blue deodorising blocks) to mask any urine smell that lingers. Flush urinals can be retrofitted and made waterless by inserting a cartridge / some sort of one-way valve that allows urine to pass though and then closes to keep out smells. This type of product can be attractive in the short term as the installation does not require the urinals to be changed. Some have active enzymes that claim to remove smells from the urine, and some include a strong-smelling urinal cake (those little blue deodorising blocks) to mask any urine smell that lingers.
-### Complete waterless urinals+==== Complete waterless urinals ====
  
 These are full waterless urinal fittings with a proprietary trap that has been designed for it. There are many brands of waterless urinal in this category, such as: These are full waterless urinal fittings with a proprietary trap that has been designed for it. There are many brands of waterless urinal in this category, such as:
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-### Unisex models+==== Unisex models ====
  
 There are also unisex waterless urinals available, that utilise the same kind of traps, but are used sitting down. There are also unisex waterless urinals available, that utilise the same kind of traps, but are used sitting down.
  
-## What are the benefits of waterless urinals?+===== What are the benefits of waterless urinals? =====
  
 Given that 90% of public toilet usage is for urination, and that many urinals could be getting no use, but still flushing every 15 minutes, there’s an opportunity to save large amounts of water. According to [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinal#Waterless_urinals) and manufacturers’ own estimates, a waterless urinal can save 100,000 litres per urinal per year. Given that 90% of public toilet usage is for urination, and that many urinals could be getting no use, but still flushing every 15 minutes, there’s an opportunity to save large amounts of water. According to [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinal#Waterless_urinals) and manufacturers’ own estimates, a waterless urinal can save 100,000 litres per urinal per year.
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
 Waterless urinals work well with [compost toilets](/cptt/compost_toilets), which don’t like too much urine, as it makes the pile too wet and introduces too much nitrogen. Waterless urinals work well with [compost toilets](/cptt/compost_toilets), which don’t like too much urine, as it makes the pile too wet and introduces too much nitrogen.
  
-### Basic urinal+==== Basic urinal ====
  
 This is more polite than just doing it outside, if there are other people around (see picture of installation in an allotment shed). In most circumstances the urine is allowed to soak into the soil nearby, but it could also go onto a strawbale, or a pit with sawdust etc. to produce [compost](/cpst/composting) (see below). This is more polite than just doing it outside, if there are other people around (see picture of installation in an allotment shed). In most circumstances the urine is allowed to soak into the soil nearby, but it could also go onto a strawbale, or a pit with sawdust etc. to produce [compost](/cpst/composting) (see below).
  
-### Retrofit cartridges+==== Retrofit cartridges ====
  
 The installation only requires the trap to be fitted below the urinal. But all pipes downstream should be either replaced of jetted to make sure that they're clean. This will prevent problems with struvite - the mineral deposit that causes kidney stones and can cause blockages in pipes. Always refer to each manufacturers’ installation instructions. The installation only requires the trap to be fitted below the urinal. But all pipes downstream should be either replaced of jetted to make sure that they're clean. This will prevent problems with struvite - the mineral deposit that causes kidney stones and can cause blockages in pipes. Always refer to each manufacturers’ installation instructions.
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-### Complete waterless urinals+==== Complete waterless urinals ====
  
 Again, consider the ongoing costs of the trap replacement over time, how long each trap will last and how the trap will respond to items that often end up in urinals. There are some technologies that use floats and seals in their design that may have a problem with chewing gum, hair and other items which may cause the valve or seal to remain partially open causing odours. Again, consider the ongoing costs of the trap replacement over time, how long each trap will last and how the trap will respond to items that often end up in urinals. There are some technologies that use floats and seals in their design that may have a problem with chewing gum, hair and other items which may cause the valve or seal to remain partially open causing odours.
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-### Unisex models+==== Unisex models ====
  
 This is a sit-down model, and it’s important to note that the urinal can’t accept toilet paper, so signage may need to be installed to ensure the unit is not clogged with paper. Unlike their male counterpart, which requires no adjustment in user behaviour, the unisex urinal does require some instruction – e.g. where to put the paper, plus that the unit can’t accept any solid waste so likely applications may be in offices and other locations where users can become used to the technology. This is a sit-down model, and it’s important to note that the urinal can’t accept toilet paper, so signage may need to be installed to ensure the unit is not clogged with paper. Unlike their male counterpart, which requires no adjustment in user behaviour, the unisex urinal does require some instruction – e.g. where to put the paper, plus that the unit can’t accept any solid waste so likely applications may be in offices and other locations where users can become used to the technology.
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-### Urine as fertiliser+==== Urine as fertiliser ====
  
 There is some literature available covering [urine as a fertiliser](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/taking-the-pee/), as it contains N (Nitrogen), P (Phosporous), and K (Potassium) which boosts plant growth. But one needs to consider that if the urinal is used by anyone on medication, these chemicals will be introduced into the soil. In many circumstances the volume will be so tiny as to be insignificant but if someone was on chemotherapy for example, who used the urinal regularly, there could be downstream impact. Using urine as a fertiliser may be best done where you know who is using the urinal. Here are some [guidelines for the safe use of urine](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/ESR-factsheet-05.pdf). There is some literature available covering [urine as a fertiliser](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/taking-the-pee/), as it contains N (Nitrogen), P (Phosporous), and K (Potassium) which boosts plant growth. But one needs to consider that if the urinal is used by anyone on medication, these chemicals will be introduced into the soil. In many circumstances the volume will be so tiny as to be insignificant but if someone was on chemotherapy for example, who used the urinal regularly, there could be downstream impact. Using urine as a fertiliser may be best done where you know who is using the urinal. Here are some [guidelines for the safe use of urine](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/ESR-factsheet-05.pdf).
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 +===== Forum =====
  
-## Specialist curators of this topic+This topic belongs to the section [[gt:water|Water & sewage]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/water). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources ===== 
 + 
 +- [Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/human-urine-is-an-effective-fertilizer/) - human urine is shown to be an effective agricultural fertiliser 
 +- [Gentworks](https://www.waterlessurinals.co.uk/Waterless-Urinals-Benefits-and-Pitfalls.html) - waterless urinals: benefits & pitfalls 
 +- [EcoSanRes](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/ESR-factsheet-05.pdf) - guidelines for the safe use of urine and faeces in ecological sanitation systems 
 +- [HepVO](https://hepvo.com/) - hepVO valves for waterless urinals 
 +- [How Stuff Works](https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-tech/sustainable/waterless-toilet4.htm) - how waterless urinals work 
 +- [Waterless urinals report & evaluation](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/lbe-waterless-urinals-rpt.pdf) 
 +- [Institute of Water & Environmental Studies](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/urine-blindness.pdf) - fighting 'urine blindness' to provide more sanitation options, including urine as fertiliser 
 +- [MinnPost](https://www.minnpost.com/environment/2011/07/why-i-preach-gospel-waterless-urinals/) - why I preach the gospel of waterless urinals 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Related topics ===== 
 + 
 +- [[cptt:compost_toilets|Compost toilets]] 
 +- [[watr:water|Low-impact water supply]] 
 +- [[sewg:sewage|Low-impact sewage treatment]] 
 +- [[plum:plumbing|Plumbing]] 
 +- [[reed:reed_beds|Reed beds]] 
 +- [[sept:septic_tanks|Septic tanks & drainage fields]] 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
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