Case Record – Waterless Urinals at OPDM

Details:

Date: Location: Client: Main Contractor: Facilities Management:

August 2003 Ashdown House & Eland House, London Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (OPDM) Carillion Citex

Issue

The water consumption in Ashdown House and Eland House is subject to the cross-government target of 7.7m3/person by April 2004. As the water consumption in both buildings was running at 11.2 m3/person, a proposal was put forward to the client for the installation of Waterless Urinals.

Eland House urinals had a constant leakage and smell problem. This was due to the old Whiffaway chrome plated copper P-traps that are nonadjustable. Each urinal uses 9 litres of water per flush and flushes on an average 3 times per hour, consuming 9,400 litres of water a month in Ashdown House & Eland House. This does not include any water consumption out of hours and over weekends. This water cannot properly treat the malodour connected with urinals caused by bacteria growth in the salts deposited from water, which causes scale build up requiring regular treatment and maintenance.

Solution

Cost and environmental issues directed the choice of product. The retrofit options were examined and a waterless urinal was deemed the most suitable product and was trialed in Eland House over a period of 6 months. This was monitored closely by the Cleaning supervisor and via the Helpdesk complaints system.

As well as the 100% savings in water consumption this system achieved there was also a savings in scale treatment and pipe maintenance. The absence of flush water means that limescale deposits cannot form, a common problem in flushing urinals. Another benefit of the waterless urinal is the decreased possibility of flooding, saving maintenance and clean up costs that can be significant.

Unlike the cartridge system, the Ecobug tablets are easy to use and do not require any changes to the urinals. Thus achieving cost savings associated with installation. The active ingredient in the tablets prevents the formation of uric scale and the enzyme kills any bacteria that may give rise to unpleasant odours. The use of detergents, chemicals and bleaches is completely avoided with the use of the Ecobug tablets.

Business Benefits:

• 3 million litres of water saved annually
• £3,000 per annum savings
• Pollution risk minimized - use of detergents, chemicals and bleaches minimised
• Improve customer relations - no customer complaints regarding smell problems anymore