Waterless Urinals Piss Off New York State Workers

New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation is reportedly getting a stream of complaints from state workers about the latest trend in chic bathroomware: waterless urinals:

The Department of Environmental Conservation’s effort to maintain eco-friendly bathrooms at its downtown headquarters has made quite a splash but not in the way the state intended.

DEC has been getting complaints by state workers that waterless urinals at their building have created a fetid mess complete with “splash back,” “puddles (of urine) on the floor,” and “unpleasant odor.”

Those using the restrooms at DEC’s 625 Broadway headquarters grew so disgusted that in April they filed a union grievance alleging a health hazard and a violation of work rules protecting employees from “elements, such as filth or pathogens,” according to records obtained by the Times Union.

The grievance was dismissed by DEC, then taken to the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations earlier this month where it also was dismissed.

Nonetheless, GOER’s Assistant Director for Safety and Health, Charles Vejvoda, conceded that “if indeed back splash or public urination is occurring, there is a violation of human dignity and decorum.”

He also recommended that the union and DEC try to work out the issues. Displaying some bureaucratic humor, he listed possible remedies including the use of such protective equipment as rain gear, aprons, rubber boots, gloves, or even reducing fluid intake, but concluded that wasn’t feasible.

And who can blame the state workers for being upset?

When it gets down to cleaning up smelly puddles on bathroom floors, you have to look out for number one.