Splashback: ‘Anti-pee walls’ result in instant karma in London borough
A London borough is launching a scheme of anti-pee walls designed to punish people who urinate in public by ‘bouncing’ the liquid back at them.
Hackney Borough Council announced it will paint hot spots with a special liquid which deflects urine, effectively soaking offenders’ shoes and trousers.
The special anti-pee walls will be tested over Christmas, traditionally a busy and boozy season for British revelers.
Use a toilet if you need to go. We've got walls that 'wee back' in Dalston and Shoreditch: https://t.co/27d3Qer3A5pic.twitter.com/e3ikMb6DqT
— Hackney Council (@hackneycouncil) December 16, 2015
The location of the walls has not been made public, but there is one in Dalston and another in Shoreditch – two areas known for their hipster nightlife.
Twitter users responded with good humor to the announcement, with some accusing the council of “taking the p*ss.”
Taking a pee on a wall in Hackney then your in for a soaking! New splash back paint has been applied. Frankly they are taking the piss !
— VRE1955 (@tweeter1955) December 17, 2015
Urine for a treat, should you urinate on a #Hackney wall.... https://t.co/UcAP7VEcUc
— Stow Party E17 (@StowParty) December 16, 2015
Hacky Council spends £100,000 (US$150,000) a year washing urine off walls and pavements and has fined more than 500 people this year for peeing in public - three times as many as last year.
The new pee-repellent paint will stop urine soaking into walls, thereby saving the council thousands of pounds each year.
Councilor Feryal Demirci said the walls could act as a deterrent.
'Pee power’: UK university trials electricity generating toilet http://t.co/hvjP6fisk1pic.twitter.com/cI7zH3cpcb
— RT UK (@RTUKnews) March 5, 2015
“Think about the people living nearby. No one wants someone weeing on their own doorstep,” she said.
“If the prospect of a fine doesn’t put them off from weeing in the street, maybe the risk of getting covered in urine will.”
The paint is manufactured by US firm Ultratech and is already used in San Francisco.
@hackneycouncil@LondonNPC Or you could just try providing public toilets. That might help.
— Jennitpk (Jennir) (@jennitpk) December 16, 2015
Until the council spends the money on much-needed public latrines, Hackney residents will simply have to cross their legs.