MORROW, GA.—TOTO announces its new Ultra high-efficiency Urinal. Using one pint (.125 gallons) of water per flush equates to a savings of 75 percent more water than a traditional one gallon per flush unit or approximately 30,000 gallons per year. TOTO also introduces its EcoPower Exposed Flush Valve. These new additions to TOTO’s high-performance, high-efficiency line of premium commercial plumbing products offer building owners and facility managers new ways to save water, reduce their sewage bills, and contribute to LEED point calculations on both new construction and renovation. TOTO’s new one-pint urinal does not sacrifice design or performance. With its clean...

LAS VEGAS—A new line of commercial hands-free, dual flush toilet valves from American Standard automatically adjust flush volume, thereby consuming 20 percent less water than standard toilets. The Selectronic dual flush toilet valve releases a light flush, or 1.1 gallons per flush (gpf), when motion is detected for less than 60 seconds. A standard 1.6 gpf volume is used when motion is detected for 60 seconds or longer. The Selectronic line was developed to simplify specification and installation, while reducing maintenance time. The same watertight miniature sensor—and wireless program controller—works for all Selectronic fittings on faucets, flush valves and urinals...

DALLAS—The Omni Dallas Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Dallas, has outlined its sustainability plan which will lead to the property’s LEED Silver New Construction (NC) certification upon opening. The plan includes use of recycled and regionally-sourced materials, reduced construction pollution and water conservation initiatives. “Earning the LEED Silver New Construction status will be a tremendous accomplishment—one made possible by the tremendous efforts of the City, Matthews Southwest, Balfour/Russell/Pegasus, 5Gstudio_collaborative, BOKA Powell, Vivian-Nichols Associates and every team member who has a hand in keeping the project focused on sustainability,” said Nils Stolzlechner, general manager of the Omni Dallas Hotel....

NEW CASTLE, DEL.—Speakman Company will be exhibiting at the upcoming Kitchen and Bath Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, April 26 to 28 (Booth C4589). During the expo Speakman will be showcasing the latest additions to its showerhead line. Shower introductions include the new product line which prominently features the Anystream 360 degree spray technology. Developed by Speakman’s engineering team, Anystream 360 spray technology allows Speakman Anystream showerheads to achieve a 360 degree rotation to the spray adjusting mechanism (handle or faceplate). This adjustability allows the user to make small incremental adjustments to the spray of the showerhead and...

SHANGHAI, CHINA—URBN Hotels & Resorts announced a partnership with sustainable water experts, Environtech (an operating brand of Hallmark Environmental Technologies, Inc). The two companies have joined forces on a project which will bring clean, pure, potable tap water to all of URBN’s three food and beverage outlets at the URBN Hotel in Shanghai, including their new restaurant Downstairs with David Laris. Environtech will provide the URBN Hotel with an on-site Re:Water water recycling system, which will increase the quality of water to meet or exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standards. For the restaurant, this means all food...

STATE COLLEGE, PENN.—Ameresco, Inc., a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, announced that it has entered into a Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract (GESC) with Penn State University. As part of the GESC, Ameresco will provide viable energy conservation measures to the Nittany Lion Inn and the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, located in State College, Penn. The project will include new energy conservation measures such as lighting and lighting control system improvements, domestic water reduction measures, weatherization improvements, and an updated and expanded energy management system. Collectively, these measures are expected to reduce annual utility consumption by more...

FRANKLIN PARK, ILL.—AQUS, the small-scale water reuse system from Sloan Valve Co., was recognized by PM Engineer magazine for generating the second highest number of reader inquiries from all plumbing products featured in its magazine or e-newsletters in 2010. As such, PM Engineer awarded AQUS as one of its 2010 Products of the Year. The AQUS water reuse system is based upon the premise that using fresh water to flush a toilet is unnecessary and wasteful. The system collects the water that goes down the bathroom sink, filters and disinfects it, and uses it to flush the toilet. It does...

NEW CASTLE, DELA.—Speakman Company introduces the Anystream Neo product family. The Neo is just one of the many new showerheads introduced by Speakman during the February launch of the renewed shower product line. The Anystream Neo product family features a modern design aesthetic, which is carried throughout the line in a fixed and hand-held showerhead as well as a 7-inch brass shower arm. The family includes a fixed, hand-held shower, and three unique combination showers available in both polished chrome and brushed nickel. The fixed and hand-held showerheads are also available as WaterSense certified 2.0 gallon per minute fixtures. All Neo...

The United States and much of the world, for that matter, have had so many pressing issues to deal with that one—possibly the most important one—keeps getting pushed under the carpet, so to speak. That is water. It’s a green issue, a life issue, a business issue—an issue that will impact hotels and hospitality facilities throughout the world and one we are all going to have to deal with eventually. Consider the following: • According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a U.S. think tank, water is a growing concern that is set to become the world economy’s single most...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Hobart’s new Energy Star qualified CLeR conveyor-type warewasher uses Advansys Energy Recovery technology and Hobart’s patented NSF-Certified Opti-Rinse system to save foodservice operations up to $11,000 annually in energy recovery and water efficiency. The Advansys Energy Recovery technology captures the warewasher’s exhaust heat and uses it to preheat the cold inlet water up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing the energy needed to reach the required 180 degrees Fahrenheit rinse-water temperature. “Hobart’s new CLeR Warewasher adapts Hobart’s unique Advansys Energy Recovery technology, introduced so successfully in the Advansys Ventless door-type warewasher, to the rigorous productivity demands of the high-volume CLe conveyor-type...