East Midlands Airport has become the latest business to adopt a Derby firm’s loo technology which can save water and cash.

The Castle Donington airport has teamed up with washroom water conservation specialist HSG to install its Ureco system in toilets across the passenger terminal.

According to the Pride Park-based firm, the Ureco reduces water consumption, saves money on utility bills and improves the overall washroom experience for users.

Fitted in gents’ urinals, the system stops smells by trapping urinal odours below the surface and reduces blockages through a patented enzyme system, which breaks down the fat, acid and salt in urine.

This reduces the need for flushes from around 96 times to just four times a day – drastically reducing water usage.

The system, which has been recognised with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation, was fitted to all urinals at East Midlands Airport by HSG’s technical team during the lockdown period.

HSG has said that the Ureco will reduce the airport’s water consumption by 16,845,480 litres over the next three years, produce almost six tonnes less carbon a year and save more than £14,000 in water bills a year.

Saeid Nikjooy, the airport’s head of asset maintenance services, said: “We trialled the Ureco system over an eight-week period.

“The results were outstanding both in terms of the washroom hygiene and the reduced water usage and we have rolled out the system across the site with 68 Ureco units and 26 Uretech water managers.

“Sustainability is embedded into all our operations and we aim to lead the way among airports in addressing our social and environmental responsibilities and achieving significant cost savings.

“Furthermore, as travel restrictions are eased and passenger numbers increase, improved washroom facilities will be vitally important for our customers in the terminal building.”

HSG managing director Simon Rice said: “Lockdown has enabled us to install the Ureco system in washrooms across East Midlands Airport – maintaining safe social distance for our technical team.

“EMA is the latest high-profile company to recognise the value of installing our Ureco system, joining venues such as the NEC, 02 Arena and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

“We look forward to working with them over the coming years to maintain the efficiency of the system and monitoring the water and cost savings to ensure maximum return on their investment.”