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Water-free urinals save building costs2nd Apr 04

Plumbers can install Uridan water-free urinals in new buildings for about half the cost of ordinary flushing urinals, says Watersave Australia – saving as much as $1,000 a urinal. This is because the Uridan urinals do not use cisterns, water pipes, flushing valves or sensors, just a standard waste pipe. 

A director of  Watersave Australia Pty Ltd, Paul Marsh, says that, based on figures supplied by quantity surveyors of a major construction company, Uridan water-free urinals can be installed for about $1,200 each compared with between $2,500 and $2,800 each for conventional flushing urinals – that is less than half the cost.

"This is to be expected as there is no requirement to deliver water to a Uridan urinal therefore no flushing systems or pipe work is required,” he says. 

Watersave estimates that Uridan urinals can be maintained over 10 years for about half the cost of maintaining flushing urinals. This is because broken cisterns, faulty photo-electric or infrared latching valves, flushing valves and water pipes do not have to be replaced, repaired or unblocked. The distributor says Uridan urinals are less likely to become blocked by foreign objects like cigarette butts or chewing gum or to overflow. 

Uridan urinals are easier to clean and maintain than ordinary urinals, says the distributor, as they do not have a flushing rim or water to allow a build-up of ammonia, bacteria and fungi. 

Watersave estimates that flushing urinals cost two-and-a-half times more to operate than Uridan urinals, based on current water and wastewater charges in NSW, and this saving does not allow for increases in water charges during the life of the urinals. 

Paul says replacing old or faulty flushing urinals with new Uridan water-free urinals also saves money. “We believe that all companies currently using flushing urinals will benefit financially by using Uridan water-free urinals and help conserve water.” 

The Uridan urinal has a waste trap sealed with a layer of floating vegetable oil. Urine drains under a stainless steel cover, through the oil in the waste trap and away into the waste pipe. The layer of biodegradable oil in the trap covers the urine and eliminates odours. This oil needs to be replaced after about 6,000 flushes, usually between two to four times a year. 

The urinals are made of fibreglass-reinforced polyester or porcelain, whichever the customer requires. They last about 10 to 15 years, as long or longer than ordinary urinals, partly because they are of a simpler design. 

Uridan urinals are tested by Standards Australia and endorsed by the Green Plumbers Association. Watersave Australia distributes the urinals throughout Australia and New Zealand for manufacturers in Denmark. 

Contact Watersave Australia Pty Ltd, 57 Cope Street, Lane Cove, NSW 2066; phone 1300 368 603; fax 02 9420 3357 ; email info@watersave.com.au.

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