Flushing toilets is typically the largest use of water in your home or cottage and with many municipalities now metering water usage or the limited water supply of a private well there is both financial and environment benefit to installing low flush models. The infrastructure costs associated with water supply and sewage treatment are increasing with heightened environmental standards and these costs are ultimately born by the taxpayer resulting in many municipalities offering rebate programs to homeowners in an effort to encourage conservation. However, toilets that use low volumes of water must still work effectively to avoid counterproductive multiple flushing.
Today consumers have a huge selection of low flush toilets to choose from. To help them make an informed decision Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) joined with the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) to develop a rating system known as the Maximum Performance (MaP) Testing Program that gives most toilets a rating of its overall performance. Any toilet with a SPS or WS rating will likely meet your residential needs.
Another factor to consider is whether the toilet is single or dual flush. Dual flush toilets were originally introduced to help conserve water by using lower volumes for liquid waste but with the development of single flush models that use only 4.8 L of water this is now related more to personal preference than any real water savings. Homeowners can also have a choice between pressure flush where the water pressure from the supply line is used, or gravity flush where water from the tank just flows into the bowl. Both methods offer similar performance so this is also a matter of personal choice. Silent flush models are also available for circumstances when more discrete use is desired.
If the time has come for you to choose a new toilet selecting a low flush model will save both financial and environmental resources.
In the Parry Sound, Mactier and Georgian Bay area visit Mactier TIM-BR Mart at www.doidgetimbrmarts.ca for expert and helpful advice plus a wide selection of bathroom fixtures and plumbing supplies.