The popularity of classic, water-guzzling porcelain toilets in the Denver, Colorado, area has spurred utility managers to call for a ban of non-efficient commodes.

According to the Denver Post, these old-style toilets use as much as 3.14 gallons of water per flush.

Utility managers have asked state legislators to consider setting a statewide toilet standard of 1.28 gallons per flush, in order to save water.

"This not only saves water consumption overall, but it also provides an opportunity to reduce the amount of water sent to wastewater treatment," Democratic state senator Gail Schwartz told the newspaper. "If consumers can save money and also work toward saving water, I think this might be popular."

While any law would not require individuals with old toilets to replace them, it would help ensure that new ones being sold are much more water-efficient. 

Denver-area homeowners are already being given rebates for swapping out old toilets with new, efficient ones.

Similar legislation is also being considered in California and Texas, and toilet manufacturers are said to be in support of it as well.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of residential indoor water consumption.  Replacing old models with a WaterSense-certified toilet can save as much as 4,000 gallons of water each year.

 

Labels: Remodelling Tips and Trends, Toilets and Bidets