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Water Conserving Commode-ity

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Services for Real Estate Pros with casaGURU

Dissecting The Dual-Flush Toilet

altWater conservation is trickling to the tips of tongues when talking about environmental issues these days.

Did you “kn-l’eau” that Canada is the second largest consumer of water per capita in the world, runner up only to the US? On average, Canucks apparently use more than 300 litres of water per person, per day... that’s almost quadruple the amount of the average Swede! If you’re curious about your water consumption, try the American Standard Water Calculator or this one from the CSGNetwork.

Of that amount of water usage, your home toilet accounts for approximately 30 per cent of indoor water use. One way to combat that is dual flush toilets. If you’ve traveled to Europe, chances are you’ve seen these and even possibly been confused about how to flush the first time.  Basically a dual-flush toilet allows you to either choose a full flush or a half flush, depending on how much needs to go down the drain. 

altNow these conserving (though initially confusing) commodes are becoming more prominant in Canada. Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) did research regarding dual flush toilets and discovered that with them significant water savings were achieved. It was found that flush volumes in households were reduced 68 per cent and the dual flush toilets saved an average of 26 per cent more water than single-flush 6-litre toilets that replaced non-efficient toilets.

So now that you know the facts it’s up to you to see how you can help quench Canada’s water consumption problem. casaGURU is making a contribution with American Standard by hosting a contest to win “Canada’s WISEST Bathroom.” One lucky homeowners will win the Grand Prize Package, which includes an American Standard FloWise Dual Flush Toilet, FloWiseShowerhead, and an American Standard Faucet. Ten other lucky winners will receive American Standard FloWiseShowerheads. Also be sure to check out Emer’s Guide to Energy Saving Programs that outlines grants and rebates that can help homeowners make their homes more green.

Do your part in order to make worrying about water just water under the bridge!

alt

Sylvie Conde
Sutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage - Toronto, ON
Broker, Toronto Real Estate

I actually installed a dual flush toilet last year, and it does make a difference.

Good luck to all those who enter the contest. :)

 

Aug 14, 2009 03:07 PM
Anthony Perez
California Certified Services - Sherman Oaks, CA

When I was a kid and comodes were 3.5 gallon our neighbors only flushed once a day, I'm 52 and still cannot shake this from my head. Pretty gross but they saved water, forget the duel flush $600.00 camode and maybe everbody should flush once a day.

TP from L.A.

Jan 04, 2010 02:18 PM