Low-flow Toilets: The New World Order

Environmentally friendly or a big hassle?

To define our terms, a low-flow toilet is one that uses about 1.6 gallons (about six litres) of water instead of the 3.5 gallons typical of an older toilet. In the United States, low-flow plumbing products came into use in 1992 following the enactment of the Energy Policy Act, and today many jurisdictions around the world require homes and businesses to use some variation of a low-flow toilet using 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF).

Yet in 1999, the National Association of Home Builders Research Center in Maryland needed to test low-flow toilets that builders had removed from homes after numerous complaints from consumers about clogging. The objections were straightforward: even after normal use, many low-flow toilets could not dispose of bowel movements and toilet paper(and, sometimes, even just urine) in just one flush and would often get plugged up. The feeling among many buyers was that a low-flow toilet, needing numerous flushes, was just a mirage in terms of reducing water bills and helping the environment.

Today, many low-flow commodes are designed to maximize those 1.6 gallons of water so that one flush will do the job. Some do this by providing a larger drain passage or by redesigning the shape of the tank and bowl for easier wash downs. Others supplement the standard gravity system with a vacuum pump, water supply line pressure or compressed air.

When looking to buy a 1.6-gallon toilet that advertises itself as eco-friendly and cost-effective, it’s important to ask which system the product uses to get the most out of its reduced water amount. If the salesperson doesn’t know whether the toilet has a larger drain passage or uses compressed air, get him or her to find out. If the answer is “none of the above”, chances are the product is going to give you grief.

Another tip is to stay with the major brands that make it their business to manufacture reliable toilets that still meet regulatory standards. Toilets with 1.6 GPF from American Standard and TOTO have gotten positive results in independent consumer surveys. Some top-of-the-line 1.6 GPF toilets have scored higher in surveys than even some of the 3.5 GPF systems used before governments had introduced regulations.

Remember: If a low-flow toilet is well-designed and works properly, it should be able to handle your average bowel movement without clogs or multiple flushes. The toilet will also save up to 22,000 gallons of water per year for a family of four--which not only helps conserve natural resources but also reduces your water costs.