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 rebate...
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