Spanish urban and community gardens (huertos urbanos and huertos comunitarios) have transformed over the past decade from local initiatives into a part of municipal policy. The Madrid Network of Community Urban Gardens (‘Red de Huertos Urbanos Comunitarios de Madrid’) unites several dozen gardens across all city districts. Barcelona runs the ‘Xarxa d’Horts Urbans Municipals’ – 15 municipal gardens in 10 districts: plots are awarded through a competition to people over 65 and non-profit organizations. Valencia and Bilbao are developing similar networks. Everywhere, the same practical question arises: where is the toilet if the garden lacks sewage and water supply? Below is how the waterless urinal addresses this scenario.
What Garden Rules Say
Urban garden rules usually prohibit unauthorized constructions and installations on the plot, and common facilities – a tool shed, a watering tap – are managed by the governing organization. Before installing a urinal, coordinate with the garden’s governing organization or the city hall. The waterless urinal requires neither a water supply nor a sewage or ground drain: it mounts to the shed wall and connects to a collection canister.
Water Shortage – Why a Waterless Solution is Appropriate
The Iberian Peninsula has been experiencing water shortages for decades. Basin organizations (Confederaciones Hidrográficas) and regional water agencies limit irrigation during droughts in Andalusia, Murcia, Catalonia, and Valencia. In this context, a waterless urinal is not a ‘green gesture’ but a solution that requires no water to operate: there is no flushing at all.
Mediterranean Sun and Ultraviolet
For a plastic urinal on a Spanish plot, the main external factor is ultraviolet light. Under direct Mediterranean sun, plastic ages over time: color fades, impact resistance decreases. With comparable stabilization, polyethylene oxidizes under UV slower than polypropylene. Pi-Pi is made from LLDPE for outdoor use.
Weight and Elderly Gardeners
Many gardeners are retirees – in Barcelona, municipal garden plots are primarily awarded to people over 65. Pi-Pi weighs 1.4–1.5 kg. For an elderly user who installs the urinal in the shed or takes it down for winter, this is a practical feature, not just a specification number. Installation takes 5–7 minutes, without a plumber, without special tools. In winter, the urinal is removed from the wall and stored in the garden shed with the tools.
What to Do with Collected Urine
Keep collected urine in a sealed 10–20 liter canister and dispose of it as directed by the garden’s governing organization or city hall. If garden rules allow its use as fertilizer, follow WHO recommendations for the safe use of excreta (‘Guidelines for the safe use of wastewater, excreta and greywater,’ volume 4, 2006): urine from communal toilets should be stored before application. Disposal into open ground is not recommended.
Procurement for Garden Networks
A city municipality (Ayuntamiento) supplying 50+ plots procures equipment through a small contract (contrato menor, for supplies – up to €15,000 excluding VAT) or an open tender. Pi-Pi is shipped from Estonia within the EU, delivery to Spain takes 7–9 days, and the batch includes a manufacturer’s statement and product specification. For a garden network, this means one contract for the entire network instead of local purchases for each plot.
Conclusion
A waterless urinal in an urban garden is a solution that requires no water and suits elderly gardeners; installation must be coordinated with the garden’s governing organization. Pi-Pi is a wall-mounted urinal made from LLDPE with a stepped nozzle Ø24/32/40 mm for connection to a canister or dry toilet. Models are Standard and Standard+, the latter has a 70 mm ventilation port. For bulk purchases by a city hall or garden federation – send a request, and I will respond with specifications, timelines, and terms for the garden network.
