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They say that if you have to flush a toilet more than once, it’s not green. Very true, but even your sturdy stain-free toilet could be a draining more than you think in a single flush. According to Green Living Online contributor Liam McCann, “If your toilet is pre-1991, it uses 9 litres (2.38 gallons) of water. Models between 1991 and 2001 use 7.5 litres (1.98 gallons).”
Low Flow’s the Way to Go
Besides yard-related water use, your toilet is the biggest culprit when it comes to household water consumption. Plus, Environment Canada soberly reminds us that 40% of all toilets leak. ‘But if I go low-flow, will I have to flush twice?’ you ask. After all, a toilet that doesn’t work well is of very little use to anyone.
Fortunately, water stakeholders from the US and Canada partnered in 2003 to give us the Maximum Performance (MaP) Testing Program, a performance test that tells you which toilets (including low-flow ones) work the best. It’s handy tables will help you filter the high-performance models that clear 1000 grams of waste in one low flush, from those that clear only 250 grams. With MaP as a guide, you’ll also be able to narrow down your choices by brand and toilet type. Choose from gravity flush, vacuum assisted, pressure assisted, single, and dual flush options ranging from 1.1 - 1.6 gallons per flush. And now, the 2008 MaP update is available for your toilet selection pleasure.
When Nature Calls for Style and Comfort
If you’re someone who likes to tote the latest newspaper or mag to the loo, aesthetics and er…gonomics will rank higher in your priorities. So, when replacing your toilet be sure to double check that the footprint of the new model matches or fully covers your current toilet for fear of revealing the grungy lino of yesteryear.
Some folks also like to flush in peace, meaning you might not want to feel like you’re in an airplane bathroom after each daily duty. Especially if you or a family member suffers from what my father likes to call ‘TB’ - Tiny Bladder’. It keeps you flushing through the night.
Toilet Rebates
With so many rebates available from government, utility, and even business sponsored programs, the timing for toilet replacement has never been better. At a minimum, Natural Resources Canada’s EcoEnergy Retrofit program will snag you $50 per unit replaced. Add that rebate bonus to your water bill savings, and you’ll wish you’d upgraded your toilets sooner.
Resources
Green Your Throne -by Liam McCann, Green Living Online
Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) - Maximum Performance Testing of Popular Toilet Models 11th Edition (January 2008) available as well as other publications
