Frugal Flushing

Toilet flushing is the single highest use of water in the average home, so it also presents a prime opportunity for water conservation. According to the 2016 Residential End Uses of Water Study, the average American flushes 5 times per day, accounting for 24 percent of their daily water use. There are lots of ways to conserve toilet water use, from habit changes and mechanical adjustments to replacement. Home Water Works gives you the information you need to maximize toilet water use efficiency in your home.

Toilet Water Saving Tips

Install a new, WaterSense-labeled toilet model to save water.

The WaterSense label is used on toilets that are certified by independent laboratory testing to meet rigorous criteria for both performance and efficiency. Only toilets that complete the third-party certification process can earn the WaterSense label. Federal law currently mandates that all toilets manufactured in the United States use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, but WaterSense-labeled models only require 1.28 gallons or less per flush. Toilets made from the early 1980s to 1992 typically used 3.5 gallons per flush (13.2 liters) or more. Toilets made prior to 1980 typically used 5.0 to 7.0 or high gallons per flush (18.9 lpf to 26.5 lpf). The oldest toilets can use more than 8 gallons per flush (30 lpf).

Do not use the toilet as a trash can. Trash should be discarded in the garbage.

If you hear the water running in the toilet tank for an unusual length of time, a simple adjustment can return it to normal operation.

If your toilet has a water line indicator on the tank, make sure the water is at or below this line when the toilet refills.

Dual-flush toilets are a type of high-efficiency toilet with a full-flush and a half-flush capability. If your home has a dual-flush toilet, use the lower volume flush mode as often as possible.

Other Toilet Information

Toilet Performance Testing - Maximum Performance Testing (MaP)

Everyone wants a toilet that "does the job" in a single flush. Maximum Performance Testing (MaP) of toilets was developed to identify how well popular toilet models flush, using a realistic test media, and to grade each toilet model based on this performance. The test results list numerous toilet fixtures and the flushing performance of each fixture. This is essential information for anyone buying a new toilet. You can review MaP testing and product analysis information here.