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While 18-litre flushes (4 UK gal, 4.75 US gal) are not uncommon in Canada, adequate flushing is possible with substantially lower volumes of water.

What to look for

• Low water use

  We recommend 6 litres per flush or lower. Our latest research indicates that all Caroma, Toto and Niagara Flapperless units meet this criterion, as do most (but not all) by American Standard Canada, Crane Plumbing and Kohler.

• Reduce water use still further

  Dual flush toilets can operate at 2 flush volumes (typically 3 litres and 6 litres), depending on what it is you’re flushing…

• Adequate flushing

  Low water use should never be an excuse for inadequate flushing performance. Toilets should meet the requirements of the relevant Canadian standard (CSA-B45: available at some large public libraries).

• or, if you don’t want to buy a new unit,

  Proprietary retrofit systems which permit reduction of flushing volume. These include water bags for insertion in the cistern to displace usable water, “dams” to prevent movement of some of the cistern water, and adaptations to the flushing mechanism. However, these come with a “health warning”—depending on the nature of the toilet being adapted, adequate evacuation may or may not be possible.

Criteria