Why Plumbers Resist Waterless Urinals (and how to overcome it)
Quick answer:
What we mean by a few of the terms we use
💧 Water‑flushing urinal: uses mains drinking water for each flush. Manual or sensor‑based.
🌱 Waterless urinal: a sealed trap system that blocks sewer gas and odour. No flush needed. ZeroFlush is proven on high‑traffic Australian sites.
💰 Change resistance: pushback when a new technology method threatens habits, comfort, or social norms on site.
The real reason water flushing urinals keeps getting specified and installed
On paper, waterless wins. On-site, comfort and familiarity win. Plumbers and hydraulic engineers choose what feels safe because their work is public and unforgiving. If a change looks risky, it gets parked to one side and ignored.
You have seen it before. A more brilliant idea reaches the design team. Everyone nods. Then silence. Not because the idea is bad. The site team thinks, “Will this make us look slow or wrong?”
ZeroFlush breaks the old script. There is no water line to admire, no flush plate to slap, and no noise that says “problem solved.” So people assume more smell and more complaints, and that story spreads fast.
Truth:
The psychology behind “no thanks” on site by plumbers
r👉 not difficult, just protective. Plumbers protect, control, and take pride in their past installations. New systems, new technology can make strong plumbers feel like learners again which is why plumbers resist waterless urinals.
👉 Logic ≠ adoption. Planning documents, lab tests and memos rarely move culture. Demonstrations do. Visible wins beat long arguments.
👉 Prototype visibly. Run a short pilot or visit sites that have already removed the flush. Log results. Let site champions refine the method and own the outcome.
Myths that kill waterless urinals before installation starts
❌ “Waterless smells.” Smell or odours come from urine crystals and sewer gas. ZeroFlush seals the trap and breaks that cycle with correct cleaning and servicing.
❌ “It is harder to clean.” It is much easier, not harder. Daily spray and wipe. Periodic trap service. Dry floors and a faster routine.
❌ “Blocked drains will get worse.” Flushed water moves little in a urinal drain. Good falls and a clean trap do the work. Water only masks issues.
❌ “Users expect to see water.” Users expect clean public toilets without odours. Clear signage and clean sanitary fixtures set the tone.
Hidden costs of water flushing urinals in Australia
💰 Water bills. A typical flush is 1–3 L. At 600 uses per day, that is up to 657 kL per year.
💧 False comfort. Flushing noise and flowing water suggest success. Odours return fast. Cleaning hours and masking chemical costs creep up.
⚡ Points of failure. Sensors, solenoids, diaphragms, and backflow devices create work orders.
🧼 Water damage risk. Leaks soak walls, floors and ceilings. Moist rooms feed mould and strain air extractors.
What building owners and managers actually want
✅ Fewer odour complaints
✅ Lower utility charges for water and sewerage
✅ Predictable maintenance schedules and costs
✅ Simple, clear training for cleaners and maintenance staff
✅ Compliance confidence
ZeroFlush supports each goal. Involve us early. We will map cleaning, service cycles, and signage with your team.
Odour, hygiene, and WHS
ZeroFlush is built for this. The operating system seals the pipe, the porcelain bowl resists build‑up, and the cleaning procedure targets the trouble spots. Fewer wet processes mean fewer slips.
Cost sketch
| Urinals | Assumptions | Annual water | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flushing (6 bowls) | 2 L/flush · 400 uses/bowl/day | ≈ 1,752 kL | Sensors & valves · leak risk |
| ZeroFlush (6 bowls) | No flush | 0 kL | Planned trap swaps · daily wipe downs |
In Queensland, at $10.482 per kL, the water charge and the sewage volume charge together are about $18,364.46 per year for water flushing urinals, and that’s before repairs, maintenance, and complaints.
Summary for decision makers
💬 Flushing water feels safe because it matches memory, experience and familiarity, not because it works better.
🔄 ZeroFlush removes water and a stack of failure modes in water flushing sensors and valves.
☀️ Following the proper process that is laid out in ZeroFlush servicing and cleaning instructions, waterless has zero odour emissions – full stop.
💵 Run one visible pilot installation in one toilet block, win your advocates, then roll to start saving water.
👨🔧 Ask yourself why plumbers resist waterless rinals!
Will ZeroFlush fit my current drainage system?
Yes, in most cases. We have adapter options for the legacy urinal systems. We confirm on-site, but it is very unusual for us not to be able to retrofit.
How often do traps or EnviroSeals need service?
It depends on use. Many public sites run well on a simple quarterly maintenance service. The reality is the cleaners must clean the ZeroFlush urinal as per the instructions. Sub-standard cleaning causes problems in all urinals, so train your cleaners.
What about older buildings?
ZeroFlush installations are suitable for any building plus help where water pressure is weak or risers are at capacity. Fewer penetrations. Fewer headaches.
Is waterless allowed by code?
What about vandalism?
Almost impossible compared to most water flushing urinals. Solid fixings and no moving parts help. We can specify anti‑tamper options for busy venues.
Gary Mays, born and educated in Auckland, New Zealand, has called the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, home since 1986. Currently, the Executive Director at Whywait Plumbing Pty Ltd and Aquatemp Environmental Solutions Pty Ltd. He’s a licensed plumber with an impressive international business background in New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore. Gary is known for his vigorous advocacy in plumbing, water conservation, sustainability, and small business growth. He is an influential and forward-thinking leader, a frequent voice in modern media for his industry insights and deep dedication to ecological, environmental, and professional causes.
