Case  Study:
                          Sanitary  Fixture   Upgrades
                          at  EPA's  NHEERL  Facility
                          Narragansett,  Rhode  Island
Introduction
In October 2003, the National Health and Environmental Effects
Research Laboratory (NHEERL), Atlantic Ecology Division facility
in Narragansett, Rhode Island, issued its Water Management
Plan to document and promote the efficient use of water at the
facility. In this plan, the facility identified significant cost and
water savings that could be realized by  replacing its urinals with
new, waterless  urinals and upgrading its toilets with new, dual
flushing mechanisms. Two years after installing the fixture
upgrades, EPA  estimates that it saves 350,000 gallons per year
(gpy) of water,  resulting in an annual cost savings of roughly
$760. The project demonstrates a simple and efficient means to
save water and  money, while producing environmental benefits.

In total,  NHEERL replaced nine urinals with waterless urinals and
retrofitted 23 toilets with dual flushing mechanisms. The project
began in early 2004 and was finished in late spring 2004. Most
of the upgrades replaced toilets and urinals that were installed
before 1992. This project, though small in scale, serves as an
example to larger and more complex facilities that these types of
upgrades can lead to tremendous ecological and cost benefits.

What Are  Waterless Urinals
and Dual  Flush Toilets?
Waterless urinals are urinals that require no flushing, thereby
eliminating the need for water. A cartridge is located at the bot-
tom of the urinal that contains a liquid that  is lighter than urine,
allowing the waste to pass through the cartridge and out the
waste drain. The cartridge seals the waste drain, which is
plumbed as usual. Figure 1 illustrates how  the waterless
urinal works.

Dual flush toilets allow two different flush options for the toilet,
depending on the user's needs. Lifting the handle in one direction
Aerial view of EPA's National Health and Environmental Effects
Research Laboratory (NHEERL), Atlantic Ecology Division facility in
Narragansett, Rhode Island.
      Figure 1: Waterless Urinal Operation
                    Urine
  Sealant
    Liquid
                        To the Drain"

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initiates a reduced flush of 1.1 gallons per flush (gpf), eliminating
liquid and  paper waste. Pushing the handle in the opposite direc-
tion initiates a full flush (1.6 gpf), eliminating solid waste and
paper. Figure 2 illustrates a typical dual flushing mechanism.

Employee Acceptance
To familiarize the employees with the new fixtures, the facility
management placed placards above the toilets and urinals, which
included instructions on how to use the new fixtures and infor-
mation about how they work. Employees were also directed to
the manufacturers' Web sites for further information. The facility's
management noted that the retrofit required a cultural adjust-
ment, but overall, the employees at the laboratory have
reacted positively to the new waterless urinals and dual flush toi-
lets. The waterless urinals  in particular have generated positive
comments among employees and visitors alike.

Costs and Savings
The total cost of the  retrofit was approximately $3,800 (each
waterless urinal cost $300, and each dual flush retrofit cost $46).
There were no additional costs associated with installation,
because these costs were built into the facility's operation and
maintenance contract. Each waterless urinal took approximately
1.5 hours to install,  and each dual flushing mechanism took 15 to
20 minutes to install. The switch to  these new fixtures can save
    Figure 2: Typical Dual Flushing Mechanism
the laboratory nearly 350,000 gallons of water every year, for a
cost savings of about $760 per year. Through these savings, the
upgrades will pay for themselves in about five years. Moreover,
the facility has been able to garner additional savings, because
the waterless urinals require less maintenance and improve
sanitation  in the restrooms. According to facilities operations
specialist Russell Ahlgren, the new waterless urinals have
eliminated recurring problems such as stuck handles and clogged
drains. Table 1 presents the water and cost savings  in gallons per
year (gpy) associated with the sanitary fixture upgrades. This type
of project has the potential to generate an even greater opportuni-
ty for savings when applied to larger, more complex facilities.
Table 1: Water and Cost Savings Associated with the Sanitary Fixture Upgrades

Water Use
Water Cost
Before Upgrade
Toilets
305,500 gpy
5667/year
Urinals
157,500 gpy
5344/year
Totals
463,000 gpy
SI, Oil/year
After Upgrade
Toilets
113,750 gpy
$248/year
Urinals
ogpy
SO/year
Total
113,750 gpy
$248/year
Savings
349,250 gpy
5763/year
   For more information on EPA's National Health
   and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory Atlantic
   Ecology Division, visit  or
   .
   EPA-200-F-06-002
   August 2006
 Russ Ahlgren
 Facilities Operations Specialist
 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 27Tarzwell Drive
 Narragansett, Rl 02882
 (401)782-3080
 (401) 782-3070 (fax)
 ahlgren.russell@epa.gov

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