| The Energy Policy Act was passed by congress in | | | | needed. |
| 1992. Among other things, it mandated that toilets | | | | Pressure toilets fill a storage tank with water under |
| could not use more than 1.6 gallons of water for | | | | pressure, so when flushed, water gushes out with |
| flushing. When the law went into effect in 1994, new | | | | more force than just the force of gravity. Of course, |
| toilets had been designed by all the major | | | | much less water is required to empty the bowl. |
| manufacturers of bathroom fixtures. But there was a | | | | When the handle of a flapperless toilet is pushed, a |
| problem with these new "eco toilets". Evidently, two | | | | bucket of water tips over in the tank, which then |
| years was not enough time for the manufacturers to | | | | flushes the toilet. Less water is needed, and an |
| research the new toilet design. Because, even though | | | | additional benefit is there are no rubber seals |
| the new "green toilets" passed the 1.6 gallon limit, | | | | necessary, which can save on repair bills caused by |
| there was not enough water to flush out all the solid | | | | leaky valves. |
| waste. So it often took 2 or more flushes to | | | | The toilets mentioned above are only the varieties |
| complete the job. | | | | that still use water for flushing. Other types don't |
| In recent years, however, this situation has | | | | need any water at all. These kinds of eco toilets will |
| dramatically changed. There is a confusing variety of | | | | be the subject of another article. Even though it has |
| new toilet designs to choose from that save water. | | | | been over 15 years since the low-flush law went into |
| They all meet the requirements of the 1992 law, | | | | effect, many of the new green toilets have yet to |
| varying from 1.6 gallons all the way down to zero | | | | become popular. In coming years, increased usage |
| gallons. A low flush toilet has the tank and bowl | | | | should decrease the cost of some of these fixtures |
| completely redesigned, so that less water is able to | | | | to where they will gain more widespread acceptance. |
| achieve the desired effect. The dual flush toilet has | | | | For more useful information about the new eco |
| two separate flush handles: one for solid waste, | | | | toilets, see the author's website, as mentioned in the |
| which uses the full 1.6 gallons of water, and another | | | | paragraph below. |
| that uses much less water, when the full flush is not | | | | |