To address evolving technologies and changes in the marketplace, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to revise its specification for tank-type toilets to earn the WaterSense® label. The biggest change is an update to the criteria for dual-flush toilets, which offer both a full-flush and reduced-flush mode, to reflect the fact that many users may not be regularly using the reduced-flush mode of these toilet models.
Last June, EPA issued a Notice of Intent to revise the WaterSense Specification for Tank-Type Toilets, which was originally released in 2007 and last updated in 2014. After considering feedback from a variety of interested parties and data on dual-flush toilets use, WaterSense decided to move forward with the specification revision.
WaterSense-labeled dual-flush toilets have previously been required to meet a maximum effective flush volume of 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf), which was calculated by averaging two reduced-flush volumes and one full-flush volume. Once finalized, Version 2.0 will establish a singular maximum flush volume requirement of 1.28 gpf for the full-flush mode of dual-flush toilets, just as it has for single-flush toilets. The original criteria for dual-flush toilets assumed users would select the full-flush mode only once every three flushes. However, actual dual-flush use patterns have shown more frequent full-flush use, due to either user choice or confusion.
In addition to the dual-flush criteria update, the draft Version 2.0 of the WaterSense Specification for Tank-Type Toilets includes minor revisions for clarity and consistency with other WaterSense specifications.
EPA recognizes that revisions included in Version 2.0 of the specification will impact the certification status of dual-flush toilets with a full-flush volume over 1.28 gpf, and it is encouraging utilities, retailers, manufacturers, and other interested parties to review the draft specification update at epa.gov/watersense/residential-toilets and submit their comments by February 23, 2024. Comments on the draft WaterSense Specification for Tank-Type Toilets, Version 2.0 can be submitted via email to [email protected]. A public meeting will also be held via webinar on January 9, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. EST to gather input from interested parties.
