by Joshua Seligman
October 22, 2007

If you are a male and have utilized central restrooms at PLNU, then you have witnessed the change.

It is not necessary to be male, however, to appreciate the shift.

“You don’t need to know a lot about urinals to understand the magic of a waterless urinal,” said sophomore Maddie Flaig.

On Monday, Oct. 8, 10 new urinals were introduced to the campus. Five were installed in the men’s restrooms of Nicholson Commons and five in the athletic department. 

Falcon Waterfree Technologies, the urinals’ designer, describes them as “The Blueprint for a Greener Restroom.”

“I think it’s great that they’re finding new and creative ways to be environmentally conscious, especially in a time of drought now,” said Jeff Bassett, a junior double majoring in social work and theology. 

On average, each new urinal saves 40,000 gallons of water each year. The urinals each contain a cartridge through which urine passes into the sewage system. The cartridge contains a biodegradable chemical that filters the urine.

The urinals typically cost $400 each, but PLNU acquired them for free, not including tax, through a voucher program with the San Diego Water Authority. The mission of the San Diego Water Authority is to provide safe water to regions in San Diego. They supply up to 90 percent of San Diego County’s water. 

Mike Gallagher, the project manager of PLNU’s Physical Plant, oversaw the installation. Installing 10 Falcon urinals at PLNU required two plumbers in one day and cost roughly $2,000, Gallagher said.

The average cost of water is one cent per gallon and, according to Gallagher, each waterless urinal saves PLNU $2,711 per year. 

Another benefit of the new urinals is that they are sanitary. According to the Falcon brochure, “bacteria and viruses thrive on moist surfaces, and the wet surface of a flush urinal is a breeding ground for their growth. [Flushing a urinal] creates a plume that spreads them around a restroom.” 

Since the Falcon urinals are waterless, there is no need to flush, providing a safer bathroom environment than before.

“And I like not having to flush when I pee,” Bassett said.