The city’s municipality is throwing everything it has at Mumbai’s water shortage.

It now hopes to save thousands of litres daily by using waterless urinals, one such is installed near Gateway of India.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is focusing on reducing, across the city, consumption of water for non-potable use, including flushing in urinals. “The system at the Gateway location is saving us up to 10,000 litres of water every day,” said Sunil Dhamne, assistant municipal commissioner, A-ward.

Incorporating American technology, the new toilet uses a 150-mm slab of chemicals, which is fitted below the urinal pot. The user does not have to flush – the system is hygienic and leaves no odour.

The waterless urinal cartridge contains a blue liquid chemical seal that acts as a drain trap, with a specific gravity lighter than that of water, and helps contain the odour. “Sulabh International, a social service organisation, maintains the toilet at no additional charge for the waterless urinal,” Dhamne said.

The cartridge, which costs Rs 2,000, will require maintenance by way of cleaning of the fixture, and changing of the cartridge about once every two to three months.

“We have planned to install waterless urinals at various places to address the seriousness of the water crisis. The second waterless urinal is put in place at Juhu,” said R A Rajeev, acting municipal commissioner.