| Did you know that older, inefficient toilets are | | | | make these toilets and they look like any other |
| responsible for most of the water wasted in | | | | toilet. |
| homes today? In fact, according to the United | | | | The second type of toilet is called a dual flush |
| States Environmental Protection Agency, if these | | | | toilet. These are toilets that typically have two |
| inefficient toilets were to be replaced with | | | | levers or buttons on the toilet which allows for |
| WaterSense labeled toilets, we would save nearly | | | | different amounts of water to be used depending |
| 2 billion gallons of water per day across the United | | | | on what you are flushing. The toilets have one |
| States! | | | | lever or button to do a "half flush" or typically 0.8 |
| WaterSense is a program that is run by the | | | | gallons (depending on manufacturer) when flushing |
| United States Environmental Protection Agency to | | | | liquid waste. The other lever or button allows for |
| certify products as being "water friendly". In order | | | | a "full flush" or typically 1.6 gallons (depending on |
| to carry the WaterSense label for toilets, the | | | | manufacturer) when flushing solid waste. |
| toilets need to be "high-efficiency" which means | | | | There is also a retrofit product manufactured by |
| that it needs to have an effective flush volume | | | | Aquanotion that enable you to change out the |
| not to exceed 1.28 gallons per flush. This is a 20% | | | | lever on your existing toilet. This product is only |
| savings in water usage over the current | | | | for a left front handled toilet tank, so make sure |
| maximum 1.6 gallons per flush that became | | | | you visit the manufacturers site to see if it will |
| mandatory pursuant to the 1992 EPAct. | | | | work for you. |
| There are two basic types of high efficiency | | | | To help you offset the cost of a new toilet, |
| toilets that you can choose from. The first being | | | | many jurisdictions offer a rebate program if you |
| a low flush toilet that meets or exceeds the 1.28 | | | | meet their specifications when replacing toilets in |
| gallons per flush each time they are used | | | | your homes. Check with your local jurisdiction to |
| regardless of whether you are flushing liquid or | | | | see if you may qualify. |
| solid waste. Most major toilet manufacturers | | | | |