Septic tank - low flow toilets

[Graham Harrison]

Continuing from the previous thread, I think I'll have to replace at least one of the toilet. Since I have a septic tank the idea of reducing the amount of water used seems sensible. Quite apart from my two US books the term "low flow toilets" is one that comes to mind. Now, I'm aware of the dual flush idea but low flow implies reduced water use in all cases.

Googling for the term "low flow toilet" has bought up a small number of references (amongst lots of references to toilets in general and low flow shower heads) but nothing specific in terms of products, yet.

Am I just looking for a dual flow toilet? If low flow is a separate type of toilet where do I find one? Can anybody point me at a website or a supplier in West London, Berkshire, South Bucks, North Hants, Wiltshire or Somerset?

[Huge]

Don't bother. My parents (in the USA) had to have one fitted by law when they had a toilet replaced recently. It's possible to block it with toilet paper alone, and it achieves the opposite of that intended, in that if you do #2's in it, you have to flush 2 or 3 times to make sure it goes away. Absolutely useless.

[John Rumm]

Pretty much any new toilet / cistern combination will be "low flow" compared to older ones. Some are also dual flush - so you have a choice of "inadequate" and "hopelessly inadequate". ;-|

[Peter Stockdale]

Perhaps the compromise style is best. For 1s etc, quick push on handle - half the cistern empties, for 2s etc - hold handle down - whole cistern empties.

Pete

[Capitol]

Huge wrote: . It's possible to block it with toilet

Hence the favourite US version of a dinner conversation "toilets I have blocked"! and the proliferation of toilet plungers available in every US hardware store. My daughter described the system to one of her embarrassed UK guests as:- "Dump, flush, wipe, flush, wipe, flush, wipe, flush, wipe, flush" etc! Fortunately their filling systems are very fast, or you could miss an entire round of drinks! It's real fun however when the incoming water gets to within 1/2 an inch of the edge of the bowl before the bowl empties.

Regards Capitol

[Gel]

I have such cisterns, and they were on offer about 18 years ago, but subsequently dropped to my knowledge. Short flush for No 1's Full for No 2's!!

However it seems many assumed short flush was malfunction, and pressed again & got full flush; so instead of saving water on No 1's, they ended up using more.

[Gordon Henderson]

I've recently installed a low-volume close-coupled cisterm system thingy... It's backwards - in that you have to push the button on the top and keep it pushed for a short flush, or push and release for a long flush!

I have to say, I was a little concerned that it'd be able to cope being almost half the volume of the old one, but the close coupling obviously lets the water get through much faster which compensates...

It's just a hassle you have to keep your finger on the button for a short flush...

Gordon

[Peter Stockdale]

Basically a similar selective flow system. British Standards have clearly got some thing to get their teeth in to !! OK for the family of the house that's in the know but two rival systems baffling for visitors!!!

Pete

[Mike]

Why ? Septic tanks rely on a reasonable amount of water flow. Also they are often installed on quite a low gradient and so you need all the water you can get to move the other stuff to where it belongs.

[Dave Liquorice]

I've just spent 4 days in a brand new hospital, nice loos, no rim to hide germs under, not a very effective flush though and no dual action that I could detect.

Now bearing in mind I was on IV antibiotics and the effect that antibiotics have on ones gut a single flush would rarely clear all the paper and nearly always left coloured water... Oh and invariably water splashed out of the bowl onto the floor during the flush, very hygienic. Still they did come round an wet mop the room floor and seperately wet mop the bathroom floor every day.

I'm still on 4 times the normal dose of broad spectrum antibiotics and we have a septic tank, the thought had crossed my mind on any possible effects but I figured that they will have been metabolised and rendered harmless by the time they leave my body.

[Mike]

Nope - most rivers are an excellent source of antibiotic resistant organisms.

So don't fall in !!!