While water shortages may not be front page news right now, it’s not to say they won’t be again. South Africa was blindsided by the recent water shortages which had frightening consequences for vulnerable groups, the problem hasn’t really gone away. We are still a water-scarce country and too many people have not adopted any water saving habits to stave off the crisis in future.
If you have been considering making small changes within your home to contribute positively to the water crisis – then well done! We’d like to make your decisions just that much easier by unravelling the tech talk around water saving products.
What is a Low Flush Toilet?
Most good bathroom brands will offer a low-flush toilet option. The basic idea is to use less water to flush away waste. Traditionally, the cistern will empty and flood the bowl with gushing water which uses brute force to get rid of the contents of your loo. This works fine, but it uses an awful lot of water.
Changes have been made to the cistern and syphon in some models to facilitate the efficient removal of waste. Others have looked a little closer at the way in which the water enters the bowl, creating a more forceful flush. One model uses compressed air, and another has removed the S of the trap to use less water.
Most low flush toilets have a dual-flush system as well, which allows for a short burst of water to wash away liquids, and a stronger flow for solids.
Innovation abounds when necessity comes knocking, and while toilets aren’t an exciting product – the ideas around water saving are.
What are Low-Flow Taps and Showers?
Low-flow is exactly that – a product which allows less water through while still making it possible to enjoy your shower or wash your hands efficiently. While the actual process may differ from one product to another, the basic idea is the same.
The low-flow process is two-fold:
Firstly, the water flowing through to the head is restricted. When you consider that your shower pushes out around 20 litres of water each minute, you can see why this is a necessity.
Secondly, the water is forced into a small chamber where it is broken down into tiny mist-like droplets before being pushed through the shower head which results in half the water usage and a great shower experience. Taps may not have this same chamber, but an effective aerator can easily be placed on most household taps if they don’t already come standard.
You’ll be thrilled to know that the brand you love most likely has what you are looking for in terms of water saving features. But if you still have questions, please feel free to call into one of our showrooms and our staff can show you exactly how to turn water shortages to your advantage with the stunning ranges that we have available.
