TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to explore options for further implementation of waterless or ultra low-flow urinals throughout public facilities in the City of Long Beach.
DISCUSSION
With demands increasing on Southern California's constrained water resources, it is imperative that we take every opportunity to conserve. Two technologies that have been shown to help conserve water are the waterless urinal and the ultra low-flow urinal.
Currently, the Long Beach Airport is implementing a program that will replace existing urinals with waterless urinals as well as install 10 additional waterless urinals in the new passenger concourse. A waterless urinal saves at least 40,000 gallons of water per year. In high traffic areas, such as the Long Beach Airport, those savings can be as much as 90,000 gallons per year. By 2013, the Long Beach Airport estimates it will reduce its overall water consumption by approximately 1,000,000 gallons per year as a result of waterless urinal implementation.
Additionally, ultra low-flow urinals are used in various facilities throughout Long Beach, including the Water Department. These urinals can use as little as one pint of water (0.125 gallons), and result in an 83% reduction in water over standard urinals. These urinals are very cost effective, costing the same amount as standard urinals and requiring little-to-no plumbing modifications.
The cost per waterless urinal is approximately $360.00. However, the Metropolitan Water District currently offers a $200.00 rebate for replacement urinals, plus the Water Department offers an additional $20.00 rebate per urinal. Thus, the net cost for waterless replacement units is $140.00. Public Works estimates that traditional urinals cost $160.00 per unit. On new builds that qualify for only the $20.00 rebate, the net cost of a waterless urinal would be $340 per unit Ultra low-flow urinals cost approximately the same as traditional urinals and may qualify for additional rebates.
Water savings benefit not only the environment, but also department budgets. For each 40,000 gallons of water saved, $132.00 could be saved each year in billing costs (according to Water Department estimates). Installing waterless urinals at the airport will save 1,000,000 gallons of water and approximately $3,300 per year. Using the Airport as an example, installing ultra low-flow urinals would save approximately 830,000 gallons of water and $2,739 per year. Public Works has also indicated that both waterless and ultra low flow urinals are virtually maintenance-free.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no significant impact to the General Fund for the City Manager to evaluate a citywide water saving urinal program. Should a program be implemented, long-term water and financial savings could result.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILMEMBER SUJA LOWENTHAL
SECOND DISTRICT
COUNCILMEMBER GERRIE SCHIPSKE
FIFTH DISTRICT
COUNCILMEMBER JAMES JOHNSON
SEVENTH DISTRICT