In an effort to save badly needed water from going down the
drain, Governor Schwarzenegger recently signed legislation, AB 715,
requiring the installation of high efficiency toilets, both dual flush
and single flush models. The law makes California the first state in
the nation to mandate high efficiency toilets (HETs), and is expected
to save about 8 billion gallons of water annually. Phase-in of the
ruling begins January 2010 and requires that 100 percent of all toilets
installed or sold by January 2014 be the high efficiency type.
Meanwhile, there are high efficiency toilets already widely
available in California. Since the state last updated its guidelines in
1992, dual flush toilets have come onto the scene and become an
increasingly popular choice. An Australian invention, where
conservation has long been a daily necessity, dual flush toilets have
become the worldwide standard for water efficiency. First developed by
Caroma, a dual flush toilet saves even more water than a single flush
HET because of the flushing options. Two buttons atop the tank release
different flush volumes, one to eliminate liquid waste, a second for a
larger volume of water. The dual flush option leads to greater water
savings over single flush types, since the small flush is used four
times more than the larger flush.
Around the world, dual flush technology has become a primary
means of household water conservation, with more dual flush toilets
sold than single flush models now. In this country, the equation is
beginning to even as consumers become aware of the water-saving
technology. In California, Caroma dual flush toilets are
installed in the National Resources Defense Counsel headquarters and
Audubon Center in Los Angeles, Santa Clarita Transport Maintenance
Facility, Pilgrim Place in Claremont, Pasadena Water & Power
and numerous buildings at UC Santa Barbara, Cal Tech Pasadena, UC
Irvine and Cal Poly, among many other public and private buildings.
While the technology and the Caroma brand are just getting
known in the States, Caroma is already a leader. The company has the
most WaterSense approved toilets (30), the EPA's new labeling program
that directs consumers to the best performing water conscious products.
Posted 29th November 2007
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