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In an attempt to offset the scale of metered water charges
that were introduced for all schools and educational centres
in January, the Model School in Limerick City has invested
in a system of waterless urinals.
The system was installed by Sligo-based company - brwaterless
solution - which stated that thousands of schools
around the country are unwittingly flushing money down the
toilet by using conventional toilets instead of newer waterless
urinals.
The savings for the Model School has led brwaterless solution
to develop the country’s first Pay As You Save (PAYS) programme
for national schools interested in using the Waterless No-Flush
systems.
According to Ortwin Reintjes of brwaterless solution
- “The country’s National Primary Schools have been severely
affected by the introduction of metered charges, as many
are not equipped with urinals for male pupils, necessitating
toilet flushes for urination. The absence of installed urinals
means that it is very difficult to reduce the level of water
usage and the corresponding water and sewer charges”.
Mr. Reintjes said that the Model School will benefit from
significant savings by its use of the system.
He explained - “The average conventional urinal uses between
50,000 and 150,000 litres of potable water per year. With
only two Waterless No-Flush units installed, the Model School,
based on its male pupil population of 250, will benefit from
savings on water and wastewater charges of up to €350
per year, based on Limerick City Council water charges of
€2.30 per 1000 litres.
"Outside of the obvious water conservation and commercial
benefits for the school, the urinals also lead to increased
hygiene as well as a significant reduction of CO2
emissions and maintenances costs.”
The urinals resemble conventional wall-hung urinal fixtures,
but do not require a water supply or flush valve for their
proper functioning. Gravity helps the flow into the urinal
trap and into the drain line.
The urinals, which can even be made of approximately 30 per
cent of soybean resin - not only save water, but help save
natural resources and promote sustainability also. Due to
the dryness of the fixture, bacteria growth is inhibited and
odours are eliminated through the minimal use of BlueSeal.
Mr. Reintjes said - “On request, we evaluate how many litres
of water per year and how much maintenance can be saved though
the use of Waterless No-Flush system. The cost of the urinals
is paid from part of the savings made on the reduced water
charges. Fixtures are usually paid off within two years, after
which the schools keep on saving on water and sewer charges,
along with reduced maintenance costs.”
Commenting on the environmental benefits of the scheme, Mr.
Reintjes noted - “The world is becoming increasingly aware
of the need to conserve water and to diminish waste water.
Dwindling natural resources, climate changes, the need to
reduce and/or conserve budget money - plus behavioral changes
- have led to an increased awareness and desire to install
water conserving fixtures.
"We intend rolling out the PAYS program to other schools
throughout the country and look forward to the opportunity
to speak with Boards of Management interested in finding out
more about the systems and to save money.”
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