I read in the "WhyNot" book, that toilets in Great Britain do not leak (run) - because of they way they are designed. I've also learned that just one running toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water.
So, maybe we could establish some kind of program - we enlist volunteers to inspect for leaky toilets, we'll have to reward the residents for allowing their toilets to be examined. Maybe discounts at hardware stores, deeply discounted meals, etc. could be offered. Fixing the toilets would be another subject to deal with - if the resident fixes the toilet and can provide proof - then maybe another reward? Maybe the city could get a grant that would allow for the toilet parts to be replaced free of charge? These are just new ideas being birthed in my mind.
The ultimate goal - is to stop the waste of a precious resource. Anyone else have an creative ideas on this subject?
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My great british toilet leaks quite a bit... perhaps its the new ones they mean.
The running water toilet was invented by brit Mr. Crapper (really). and it used to run all the time... modern models obviously improve on this. The real water savings in british houses are that the hot water system is not at mains pressure, and hence why british showers use much less water... this results in a rather large energy savings over the american water heater model, but also results in less pressure showers.
The Mr Crapper story is a myth.
Why do we flush a half pint of pee with gallons of drinking water?
Why not flushes that send the right amount of water to the job and no more. A quick blast for pee, and a longer one for poop.
Although mechanical improvements on water equipment are necessary to improve economies of water, the motivation to use them must come from a re-evaluation of the cost of fresh water. If the cost of supplying water is made compatible with the value of the water, users will be quick to install conservative equipment.
One way to save water is to avoid flushing for "number 1." This can be done if one uses one of those in-tank "hockey puck" bowl cleaners that hide the color and odor of urine. (A more effective method is the Puricle NeverScrub system, which I reviewed for the CoolTools site.) However, only a minority of consumers take advantage of this capability.
If environmentalists and/or educators would urge citizens to use such products and flush only for Number 2, water consumption could be cut.