Toronto Zoo

With a wide range of attractions and adventures, the Toronto Zoo sees about 1.2 million guests each year. From Zoomobile rides and greenhouse tours to a conservation carousel and a gorilla rope climbing course, guests have access to a number of top-notch amenities.

But it had been decades since the zoo last renovated its restrooms, and with the amount of traffic coming through every day, it became apparent that it was time to upgrade. “Everybody who comes to the zoo has to use the washroom at some point,” said Ben Knoop, project manager, of Toronto Zoo. “That’s why we needed to renovate.”

After conducting a thorough search of restroom products that would best serve its needs, the zoo chose Sloan’s collection of touch-free, water-saving solutions – including the futuristic AER-DEC® Sinks – to help pave the way toward the restroom of the future.

Look, But Don’t Touch

The old hand dryers at Toronto Zoo were inefficient, resulting in constantly wet floors and rust. To resolve this issue, the zoo specified Sloan AER-DEC Sinks – an all-in-one, touch-free handwashing solution featuring built-in air dam technology that eliminates water backsplash and updrafts.

All four elements of the AER-DEC Sink – soap dispenser, faucet, hand dryer, and sink basin – work together as one hygienic, efficient system. “We’re a zoo, so we definitely want to do everything we can to help the environment,” Knoop said. “With manually operated sinks, people tend to leave the faucets running. We like that the AER-DEC Sinks are touchless and automatically shut off, helping us save water.”

AER-DEC Sinks also reduce energy consumption and eliminate the need for paper towels, simplifying the handwashing experience for the thousands of guests that use the zoo’s restrooms every day.

Less Stress

A step inside the restrooms at Toronto Zoo reveals a glimpse into the future of restroom design, which is exciting news for facility managers.

The AER-DEC Sinks, as well as Sloan 186 and 111 ESS Flushometers, come equipped with automation technology that helps make life easier for the zoo’s maintenance staff. Using CID™ technology, the ESS Flushometers ensure flush accuracy and enhance water efficiency for Sloan SU-7009 Washdown Urinals and ST-2009 Water Closets.

In addition, the AER-DEC Sinks come with sensor-activated BASYS® Faucets and matching deck-mounted high-speed hand dryers that eliminate water and paper towels on floors. “Our custodial staff is happy with the AER-DEC Sinks because they find them easy to clean and maintain,” Knoop said.

A Transformative Experience

The updates Toronto Zoo made to its restrooms have paid off in many ways. Not only are the new Sloan products helping the zoo save water, stay cleaner, and simplify maintenance, but they’re also receiving high marks from the zoo’s guests. “We’ve heard positive comments all around, including on the new sinks,” Knoop said. “We put a lot of time and effort into really transforming them into something that’s a nice experience for guests.”