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Will a low flush toilet save you money in the K-W Region?

Jun 18, 2021 | Plumbing Tips

Low or dual flush toilets were initially introduced in regions where water was scarce. Australia and the middle east were some of the first places to experiment with the design. We’ve seen them become more popular in Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo and around the globe as conservation laws and eco-friendly attitudes have become more pervasive.

We often get asked if these toilets are really are providing cost savings and what their role is in helping the environment.

First let’s understand how they work.

It’s really in the way the water is used in these toilets that offers the major difference in water consumption. The two major features of these toilets are the larger trapway and wash-down flush design. In making these changes, manufacturers are able to move waste through the bowl using much less water.

In addition, with dual-flush you have the option of using even less water, less than 3 litres, when flushing only liquids or 6 litres when flushing solids. Older ‘standard’ toilets can use up to 26 litres per flush. That is an impressive difference in water conservation.

Standard toilets contain a siphoning tube that is connected to the bowl. When a large volume of water is let into the bowl, the tube sucks the water and waste from the bowl and down the drain. This system would not work without the sheer volume of water. It really is a poor design, but poor design has historically been accepted when resources are unlimited.

Because of this design difference, low and dual-flush toilets can save water on every single flush.

The average North American home can save 2.5 cubic metres of water per month. The current Cambridge water rates are $2.16/cubic metre consumption and $2.13/cubic metre for sewage. This would equate to approximately $130 cost savings per year.

On top of the pure financial savings to the homeowner, there is an environmental impact. The sewage facilities are able to treat less water annually. Less energy is required to separate clean water from sewage.

The Chasles Plumbing Professionals verdict on low flush / dual-flush toilets is: Yes they are absolutely worth the investment. The cost benefits are clear, but the care we show for our environment and consideration for future generations is most important.

Give Chasles Plumbing Professionals a call and we’ll help you with your upgrade options.