Water Conservation in Commercial Facilities: Smart Solutions for a Sustainable Future

Canada's commercial sector is facing an unprecedented challenge in water management.
According to Ontario's Water Conservation Guidelines, commercial and institutional facilities account for approximately 18% of municipal water demand, with that percentage steadily rising.
The impact is significant - commercial buildings in urban centers consume millions of liters of potable water annually, much of which could be conserved through modern technologies and better management practices.

The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment has identified water conservation in commercial facilities as a dual imperative: environmental sustainability and economic necessity. As water utility rates escalate and regulatory frameworks become more stringent, businesses must adapt through innovative water management strategies.

Under Canada's Green Buildings Strategy, commercial facilities are now expected to significantly reduce their water footprint as part of the nation's commitment to sustainability. This includes implementing water-efficient technologies and adopting practices that minimize waste while maintaining operational excellence.

One of the most significant areas of water consumption in commercial buildings is the washroom facility. Consider this: a single conventional urinal consumes between in average 3.8 liters per flush (although, there are still older models that flush 6 liters). When you multiply this by hundreds of daily uses in busy commercial facilities, the water waste becomes staggering. Traditional urinals in a typical office building can account for up to 35% of total water consumption.

Swiss manufacturer URIMAT has developed a solution that's both elegant and effective. Their waterless urinal technology offers impressive Water Savings with Minimum of 100,000 liters of drinking water saved per urinal annually.

Reduced water conservation can reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 17.5 kg and more per urinal. Simply extend that by the amount of urinals you have in the facility, and you’ll get the true environmental efficiency.

The technology isn't just theoretical - it's proven in practice. Major Canadian brands, like Oxford Properties, Triovest, Avison Young, have successfully implemented these systems, demonstrating their effectiveness in high-traffic environments. The system has been particularly successful in:

What sets this solution apart is its commitment to sustainability beyond just water conservation:

For facility managers and business owners, the decision to switch to waterless urinal technology isn't just about environmental responsibility - it's about smart business. The combination of water savings, reduced maintenance costs, and potential advertising revenue makes it a compelling investment.

The technology represents a perfect alignment of environmental stewardship and business efficiency, proving that sustainable solutions can also be economically advantageous. As water conservation becomes increasingly critical, solutions like this will likely become the new standard in commercial facility management.