Only 7% of the earth's water is consumable and the evidence shows that the aquifers in our country are dropping at an alarming rate due to our demand on fresh water. One way we can address this issue is by changing the way we use the bathroom - or more accurately, which fixtures we choose to incorporate in to our regular routines.
Residential urinals are making a more regular splash in bathrooms these days as much for the convenience as for the great water savings. The cost of the urinals are two to three-times the cost of a regular toilet, but the water savings can recoup that cost in a short period of time. Along with the cost savings, the amount of water needed to run the urinals is far less than a standard toilet. Urinals can go from .25 gallons of water per flush (gpf) to even waterless urinals. This compares to standard low-flow toilets that are rated at 1.6 gpf.
Before the mandate to low-flow, toilets consumed an average of 20.1 gallons of water per person, per day in a home with no water-conserving fixtures - according to the American Water Works Association. That’s nearly 30 percent of an average home’s daily per-person indoor water use. Upgrading from the old 3.5 gpf (gallons per flush) toilet to a 1.6 gpf model reduced one person’s annual water use from 27,300 gallons to 12,500 gallons. Imagine cutting that number down to 3-4,000 gallons a year with a cool urinal in your bathroom.
I know in our house with 3 boys, that savings could be even more substantial AND the days of lifting the toilet seat are gone! I know my wife would certainly appreciate it.
