Did you know that toilets are one of the largest users of water in our homes. Every month we receive a water bill in the mail and we immediately think the bill is for showers, the dishwasher, the lawn, and the washing machine.
While those activities do consume a lot of water, consider how many times a family of 4 use the bathroom on a daily basis. A conservative estimate is 12-15 times per day – this accounts for a lot of water!
In this article we’ll discuss the current crisis of water and where we’re headed in the future. Then we’ll share the best water saving toilets for drought that will help the environment and help keep money in your wallet.
There are specific details to pay attention to when choosing a water saving toilet.
- Is it a “high efficiency” toilet?
- Does it have WaterSense certification?
- What is the Gallons Per Flush (GPF)?
Concentrate on these 3 things and you’ll being doing everyone a favor. Although purchasing a new toilet will be an investment in the short term, the savings you’ll receive on your water bill will equate to much more as time goes by. Let’s get started!
The Water Problem
We’ve been hearing the word drought for decades. Water shortages come and go, but as populations increase, fresh drinkable water is becoming a luxury.
And it’s not just in the U.S. Other countries have been hit hard by drought, forcing people to relocate. Drought will be one of the driving factors of mass migration in the 21st century!
For people in the Western U.S. drought has been something we’ve lived with all our lives. From 2013-2016 California was parched.
The lack of rain caused wildfires, emptied reservoirs, and farmers began pumping groundwater at a record pace.
Cities in California recognized this and increased regulation to save this precious resource. Cities focused on water for lawns and bathrooms (especially toilets).
There were even incentives (rebates) for people to install new toilets that used less water.
The drought in California has ended, but the State is still making plans to reduce water consumption. New houses are required to use water efficient toilets and most homeowners are happy to help the environment
What States Are Doing With Toilets During Drought
Check out your State and City website to see if rebates are available. Here are a few resources below:
California: Currently no rebate for toilets but there are rebates for replacing your lawn!
Arizona: The City of Tucson provides rebates for toilets.
Nevada: Las Vegas occasionally has rebates for lawn and household
Utah: The State also offers rebates to upgrade existing toilets to low water-use toilets.
For other U.S. States take a look at the EPA’s “Rebate Finder” website. You can choose your State or district to see what incentives are offered and you can make sure the toilet you purchase is WaterSense approved!
What Homeowners Can Do To Save Water
We’ve already mentioned that toilets use a lot of water on a daily basis, but how much exactly? If a family of 4 is flushing the toilet 20 (citation) times a day it could be 80 gallons per day (4 gallon flush – toilets pre 1992).
A simple switch to a water saving toilet would lower that total to 20 gallons a day. Imagine cutting your toilet water consumption by 75%!
If you’re on a tight budget there are a few things you can do to save water in your toilet.
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Make sure your toilet is working properly
One of the most important things you can do is to make sure your toilet isn’t running. A running toilet is very common and because it’s a tiny amount of water most people ignore it.
But a tiny amount of water adds up over time, especially when the running is constant. Over the course of a month your toilet can lose 50-100 gallons simply because it isn’t working properly.
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Don’t double flush
Double flushing is also common and it’s understandable that people want to get rid of their waste. However some people double flush to remove marks on the toilet bowl.
Rather than waste a whole tank of water, use a brush to clean the marks. In doing so you’ll save a lot of water.
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If it’s yellow let it mellow
This tip works better for kids who frequent the bathroom. If you or your kids will be going number 1 a lot, don’t worry about flushing every time.
Over time it will conserve a lot of water. If you’re a man living in a rural area or have a large yard, consider going number 1 outside. Fertilize your plants!
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Keep seat cover down (reduces evaporation)
Ok, this tip might be pushing it but every little bit helps. Evaporation happens even if we can’t see it. If you live West of the Rocky Mountains you probably live in an arid environment.
Dry air will wick away moisture quickly, especially if you’re at high elevation. Keep the toilet lid down and you’ll save a tiny amount of water – it looks better too.
High Efficiency Toilets vs Regular Toilets vs Old Toilets
- High Efficiency Toilet – 1.08 gallons per flush
- Regular Toilet – 1.6 gallons per flush
- Old Toilets (pre 1992) – 5-7 gallons per flush
So there’s more to high efficiency toilets than just water usage. In fact, high efficiency toilets have strong standards.
While newer “regular” toilets conserve water (1.6 gallons per flush) they still use almost twice as much as a high efficiency toilet. High efficiency toilets use approximately 1.08 gallons per flush.
You might be thinking “how can they clean if they are using so little water”. Well, high efficiency toilets use velocity rather than volume.
You’ve probably noticed that huge tank on top of old toilets – it’s full of water and uses gravity to wash away your waste.
A high efficiency toilet forces water in the toilet bowl and out the other side. These toilets push air through the toilet at a speed that really cleans!
Many of these modern toilets also save space in your bathroom because they don’t require the holding tank.
High efficiency toilets also have 2 options for flushing. 1 option is for, well, number 1, while option 2 requires a little more water (for number 2).
WaterSense Certification
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA website) the WaterSense program has saved 2.7 TRILLION gallons of water (AND THAT’S ONLY IN 2017)!
WaterSense is an EPA approved certification that helps consumers identify toilets, sinks, and showerheads that save water. It’s a great program and something we should look for while making a buying decision. Check their website for more information (WaterSense EPA)
4 Best Water Saving Toilets For Drought Conditions
1. WoodBridge T-0001, WaterSense Certified
WoodBridge makes of the classiest toilets on the market. They are a relatively new company (compared to American Standard and Toto) however they pride themselves on functional modern designs.
This toilet is no exception as it looks great and is water conscious. The WoodBridge T-0001 is WaterSense Certified and uses quiet but strong flushing power to remove waste.
To do-so it uses a two flush system (1 – 1.6 gallons per flush) for an average flush rate of 1.28 GPF.
Woodbridge is a one piece toilet which differientiates itself from other traditional toilets. I actually prefer one piece toilets because it’s more sleek.
It measures 28.5 x 14.5 x 27.5 and weighs 119 pounds. While it many seem heavy, for a porcelain toilet the weight is normal (and strong).
I also like WoodBridge because of their 5 year porcelain warranty and 1 year warranty on flushing parts. This company is committed to their customers!
As you look over the water saving toilet, note that there are various options and styles listed for this toilet – they all look great!
2. American Standard WaterSense Certified
American Standard is one the best toilet companies in the U.S.A. To some people the company’s toilets may seem old fashioned, however they have many toilet options.
They also offer some great options for water saving toilets. The H2Optimum Siphonic has a few different height and seat options (round and elongated) and it uses an average of 1.1 gallons per flush.
American Standard also has a special EverClean Surface that helps reduce stains and keep your bowl clean.
Even though the toilet looks traditional, the tank above the toilet is fairly small. The base is also smaller so it will save space in smaller bathrooms.
Remember that many of these toilets don’t come with the seat so consider saving your old toilet seat and installing on your new throne!
3. Niagra Stealth .8 Gallons Per Flush WaterSense Certified
I love Niagra products because the company was founded on reducing water consumption. Now that’s something to support!
It’s tough to say Niagra is an up and coming company because they’ve been around since 1977 but compared to some of the other bathroom companies they are. Niagra’s founder Bill Cutler found himself wondering why we waste so much water.
As someone who likes to learn and improve upon ideas he set out to make a better shower head, then faucet, then toilet (and so the story goes).
Niagra is focused on innovation where it matters. The company found that people have strong feelings about 2 things:
- The environment
- Their money
..so why not address it
The Niagra Stealth is a traditional looking toilet with a hint of modernity and a whole lot of interior innovation. It only uses .8 gallons per flush.
It uses the two piece approach that is most common in households but it also uses buttons to flush (2 options) not a flapper. Niagra is a sturdy porcelain, with an elongated bowl that’s perfect for taller folks.
It weighs 103 pounds and measures 28.9 x 18.8 x 31 inches. It only comes in one color but most people like the white color.
Customers love this toilet and the company (I thought I was the only one who got exited about toilets). They comment that there’s no clogging, it’s super quiet, and it’s easy to install.
People also like the height about 17 inches from floor to seat (no including seat) and the money they saved by using this toilet!
4. Ariel Aquanetta WaterSense Certified
Although Ariel has limited reviews the product is tempting to consider. It markets itself as a European style toilet maker and it’s one the best looking toilets on our list (I guess Euro toilets all look this good).
I especially like that there are not crevices for dust to hide. The rounded bottom makes the water saving toilet look great from top to bottom.
I also like the compact tank on top of the bowl. It’s modern and environmentally conscious at the same time.
This toilet is 1 piece (they always look better), weighs 101 pounds and measures 27.1 x 15.1 x 31.1 inches. There are two options for flushing and it averages 1.28 gallons per flush (WaterSense Certified).
Ariel offers a 1 year limited warranty on the porcelain itself and flushing parts. This is in-line with other toilets but not the best warranty we’ve seen.
Converse to other water saving toilets Ariel comes with a slow close toilet seat that effortlessly blends into the rest of the toilet. It comes at a premium and isn’t inexpensive but remember you’ll save a lot of money on your water bill!
5. Kohler Wellworth WaterSense Certified
Kohler is another American brand that holds up over time. Thankfully this company has evolved to take on environmental issues like drought. This option from Kohler looks great and saves a ton of water.
Similar to the American Standard toilet, Kohler keeps the traditional look with a 2 piece toilet and tank above the bowl. While traditional in appearance the interior is a high efficiency performer, using less water and less space.
It uses 1.28 gallons per flush and is gravity fed. I like the curves on this toilet and the smaller base provides more room to clean.
The price point is also excellent which save money and saves water! This particular toilet doesn’t have the bowl options (round and elongated) or height options that many of the other water saving toilets have but it looks great as is (round bowl, standard height).
Kohler toilets are usually lighter in weight that other toilets we review. This one weighs in at 86 pounds of strong porcelain and measures 40.9 x 35.4 x 23.2 inches. Their warranty is a reasonable 1 year but you should expect Kohler toilets to last a lifetime!
Conclusion
Water is a precious resource that is becoming more and more scarce. Drought comes and goes but population booms and overuse have increased the need to conserve the water we have left.
There’s no better place to take action than in our bathrooms. Whether it’s a water saving toilet, a water efficient sink, or a showerhead, we can help reduce waste on a household level.
If you visit a store or search online you’ll find many water saving options for toilets. We’d encourage you to search your city or State for possible rebates or other incentives.
You can also check the EPA WaterSense website to find recommendations and initiatives in your area. WaterSense should be listed on any water saving bathroom device.
In this article we covered a few of our favorite toilets including
- WoodBridge T-0001, WaterSense Certified
- American Standard WaterSense Certified
- Niagra Stealth .8 Gallons Per Flush WaterSense Certified
- Ariel Aquanetta WaterSense Certified
- Kohler Wellworth WaterSense Certified
Our top pick is the Niagra not only for it’s appearance and low water use per flush, but for the company’s mission to reduce waste and preserve our natural resources.
I hope this article helps guide you to find the best water saving toilet. Best of luck and thanks for reading.