How eco-cube works
Water creates an ideal environment for bacteria
Excessive flushing with water creates permanently damp surfaces on which bacterial colonies grow. The huge volume of water used to flush urinals adds to the problem by depositing calcium, salt, silica and lime scale (water scale).
Lime scale coats these bacterial colonies in a protective shell. Like a coral formation, bacteria and lime scale continue to build up until they form virtually insoluble lumps of uric scale, which is the chief source of offensive odours in urinals. Uric scale also creates unsightly stains and can grow large enough to block pipes.
Water is the culprit
Surprisingly, urine itself is not the main source of the problem. Urine is almost 98% water, mild in odour and is usually sterile. The problems begin when bacteria bind with the solids found in urine.
The offensive smell we associate with urinals occurs when faecal bacteria digest uric proteins to give off toxic ammonia-based gases. Humans have a poor tolerance to the smell of ammonia, even at low concentrations.
Washrooms are covered with bacteria originating from faecal matter. Faecal bacteria become airborne when toilets are flushed. Eventually, bacteria settle on washroom surfaces and form bacterial colonies wherever there is a wet or damp environment, a food source, and protection from direct light.
Each eco-cube contains 6 billion friendly bacteria that use microbial technology to interfere with the bacterial digestion that produces these unpleasant odours –without the requirement of flushing water.
Microbes get to work
Uric scale (above) is insoluble in water and difficult to remove. It collects on the internal surfaces of urinals and pipe work, in particular urinal traps and outlets. When uric scale is combined with lime scale (arising from calcium and magnesium carbonates present in most water supplies) you have the potential for both bad smells and blockages. The usual solution is to try to flush the deposits away with water.
However frequent flushing with water exacerbates the problem of lime scale and uric scale build up. Frequent flushing with water is also expensive and unsustainable. The average urinal uses 151,000 litres of fresh water a year. Even with urinal controls fitted, water usage is reduced but the build up of uric scale and lime scale becomes inevitable.
No more hazardous chemicals
Traditional ways of dealing with uric scale is to use powerful chemicals such as bleach, disinfectants or other corrosive chemicals. Bleach and disinfectants give temporary relief to malodours but do not remove uric and lime scale deposits. Strong acids are hazardous to health, pollute the water systems and are a large cost on the environment.
Natural microbial activity is the most efficient way of removing both uric scale and lime scale. Beneficial microbes found in eco-cube are released slowly down the waste pipes triggering a natural breakdown of scale matter right inside the drain. The scale matter is removed and stays removed as the friendly microbes digest all new uric salts (found in urine) before they have a chance to form hard scale.
eco-cube microbes are highly effective in scale breakdown and do not require regular flushing fresh water in order to carry out the process.
