Water-wise tip: Dual-flush toilet offers options for savings

Toto has seen sales soar for its dual-flush Aquia high-efficiency toilet, which features two flush modes – one for liquid waste, one for solid. Compared to most toilets that use 6 to 10 gallons per flush, this toilet uses only 0.9 gallons for a light flush and 1.6 for max. Satoshi Kobayashi Toto

This is part of a weekly feature in Home & Garden, highlighting ways residents can save water.

▪ Consider a dual-flush toilet.

Yes, this idea does make people giggle, but you can laugh your way to water savings. These toilets have two flush options – one for No. 1 and one for No. 2. The first option delivers a “light flush” for liquid waste while the second option offers a full flush for solids. In most models, that equals a half-gallon of water savings every time you opt for No. 1. For an average family of four, that means a savings of more than 3,600 gallons a year.

For more tips, visit www.bewatersmart.info/.

Debbie Arrington

This story was originally published November 21, 2014 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Water-wise tip: Dual-flush toilet offers options for savings."

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