Water-wise bathrooms: How toilets can help save water

Every year, on March 22, the world marks World Water Day, a reminder of just how precious – yet limited – our water supply really is. With populations growing, climate change making rainfall unpredictable, and demand rising, many parts of the world, including South Africa, are running dangerously low on fresh water.  

One of the biggest culprits of water waste in our homes? The bathroom. Whether it’s flushing toilets, running taps, or long showers, it all adds up. But the good news is that small, simple changes can make a huge difference – starting with how we flush!

The hidden water waste in toilets

Toilets account for about a third of household water usage in Western households, making them one of the most significant sources of water waste. Traditional single-flush toilets can use up to 11 litres per flush (Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water, n.d), meaning a person who flushes five times daily consumes around 55 litres of water daily – just from flushing! 

Water-saving measures in the bathroom

Beyond upgrading to a water-efficient toilet, there are several simple but effective strategies to reduce your daily water consumption in the bathroom:

• Fix leaks immediately: A leaking toilet can waste around 100,000 litres of water annually, enough to fill more than 60 bathtubs (City of Cape Town, 2013).
• Install water-efficient taps: Modern taps with aerators or sensor-based systems reduce flow rates while maintaining performance, saving plenty of water per use.
• Turn off the tap while brushing: Leaving the tap running while brushing your teeth can waste up to 7 litres (City of Cape Town, 2013). That’s something to stop today!
• Take shorter showers: A shorter shower will save water, but resisting the urge to leave the shower running while you wait for the water to heat up or while you undress can also make a big difference to your water consumption. Every minute counts.
• Use water-saving showerheads: If you replace your regular seven-minute shower with a seven-minute shower using a water-saving shower head, you can save up to 35 litres of water per shower (Sustainable.co.za, n.d.)

An unlikely solution: dual-flush toilets

Dual-flush toilets offer a practical and effective way to reduce water consumption in homes, offices, and public facilities. Unlike single-flush models, dual-flush toilets provide two options:

1. A half-flush (roughly three litres) for liquid waste.
2. A full-flush (around six litres) for solid waste.

By using the appropriate flush volume, your household can significantly reduce unnecessary water wastage. Switching to a dual-flush toilet can save a household of four approximately 54,000 litres of water per year – a 67% reduction in water usage compared to a traditional toilet. If implemented on a larger scale, this simple upgrade could conserve billions of litres globally.

Lecico’s range of dual-flush toilets

At Lecico, we pride ourselves on eco-friendly product packaging and ethical production methods; our products are no exception. Here are just three of our popular dual-flush toilets, which make it easier than ever to play your part in conserving water: 

• Comfort Square Close Couple WC with Soft Close Seat.
• Comfort Round Close Couple WC with Soft Close Seat Box Set.
• Sottile Rimless CC Dual Flush Box Set with Soft Close Seat.

How does a dual-flush toilet work?

A dual-flush toilet is a smart, water-saving alternative to traditional toilets, giving you two flush options – one for liquid waste and another for solids. Most models have two buttons on the top of the cistern: a smaller one for a light flush and a larger one for a full flush. Some toilets use a lever system instead, where pulling up gives you a half-flush and pushing down triggers a full flush.

 

Instead of the old-school flapper valve found in standard toilets, dual-flush models use a flush valve (or cylinder valve). When you press a button, the valve opens, letting water rush into the bowl. These toilets rely on gravity and syphon action to clear waste efficiently, and some high-efficiency versions even use pressure-assisted flushing for an extra-powerful flush.

 

Saving water doesn’t have to be hard – small changes in the bathroom can make a big impact. Explore Lecico’s dual-flush toilets today to play your part in creating a more water-wise future!