Seven milestones in the history of flush toilets.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

 

At an NKBA webinar this month, Richard Rossi, national account manager for Niagara Corp., discussed water conservation strategies in “Water Savings with Every Flush: Improving Water Conservation in High-Performance Buildings.” April webinars are keyed to a theme of sustainability and sponsored by Geberit. Rossi talked about climate change, population growth and record droughts that have presented an unprecedented strain on the water supply. He showed the conservation technology that’s building awareness about the importance of using the most water-efficient fixtures possible.

Among his messages, he pointed out that the flush toilet is one of the biggest users of water, and discussed how toilet design is pushing flush technology to develop ways to conserve water without sacrificing the performance.

Here, from his presentation, are seven milestones in the history of the flush toilet and how water use has evolved.

  1. Pre-1980: Toilets use as much as 7 gallons per flush (GPF).
  2. 1980-1992: Average flush volume is reduced to 3.5 GPF, although some still use up to 5 GPF.
  3. Mid-to-late 1980s: Low-flow toilets and ultra-low-flow toilets, using 1.6 GPF, emerge. Some states adopt new water conservation standards.
  4. Late 1980s to Early 1990s: To create a low-flow toilet, a 3.5 GPF unit is fitted with a modified tank trim that reduces the flush volume by almost half.
  5. 1992-1994: EPAct ’92 mandates maximum water use for U.S.-made toilets of 1.6 GPF or less, with a voluntary flush rating of 250 grams (8.8 ounces) minimum.
  6. 2006-2007: The WaterSense program launches, issuing high-efficiency specifications for toilets. Tank-type toiles must be independently certified to use 1.28 GPF or less, and remove at least 350 grams (12.3 ounces) of solid waste per flush, illustrated as a pass/fail test.
  7. Current Day: More than 1,100 models of high-efficiency toilets (HETs) are currently on the market. HETs outperform their ultra-low-flow (1.6 GPF) predecessors, and the 3.5 GPF models of the 1980s.

There are two more sustainability-themed webinars slated for this month. One takes place today at 12 noon, as Tim West, director of sales (West) for Native Trails, discusses

 “Artisanal Craft in Sustainable Spaces.” To attend, register here. Finally on April 28, Robin R. Fisher, CMKBD, CAPS, principal designer at Robin Rigby Fisher Design, will present

“Good Design IS Sustainable.” To attend, register here.

NKBA’s monthly webinars are free to attend and qualify for 0.1 CEU credit.