MILLIONS OF BRITONS COULD BE WASTING WATER BY FLUSHING TWICE

More than 70% of England is now officially in drought, sparking water-saving measures including temporary hosepipe bans across large parts of the country. Yet despite the efforts to reduce water use, more than a third of us admit to regularly flushing the toilet twice at home, research shows.

Bathroom manufacturer Geberit surveyed 2,005 people in the UK and showed 88% have flushed twice at home at least occasionally because their flush is not fit for purpose. Almost one in five (18%) double flush at home every time and another one in five (19%) do it often.

The figures are even higher outside of the home, including public toilets and at a friend’s house, where 44% flush twice often or always.

While the survey highlights the scale of ‘flush anxiety’ amongst Brits, it also raises a more serious trend in light of the recent dry weather. Many people are still having to waste water by double flushing because their toilet flush system is simply not good enough.

The issue is particularly timely as water companies continue to introduce restrictions due to the sustained hot and dry weather. Wessex Water is the latest water company to introduce a hosepipe ban – its first in 50 years, covering around 1.4 million customers across parts of Bath, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. 

Much of the conversation around water efficiency understandably focuses on what consumers can do differently – taking shorter showers, turning off taps while brushing their teeth, fixing leaks and avoiding unnecessary outdoor water use.  But not all water saving is about changing behaviour.

A toilet is typically used several times a day, every day, yet its contribution to household water efficiency can easily be overlooked.

If a toilet does not clear the pan effectively first time, the natural response is simply to flush again. For the person using it, that second flush might feel like a minor inconvenience, but repeated across households and over time, unnecessary additional flushing can add to overall water consumption.

With dryer and hotter summers expected to be a regular occurrence, it’s time to think more about product choices in the home – and toilets are one thing that can have a direct impact on water use. 

Sonia De Gioia, Sales Director for Showrooms at Geberit UK, said:

“During periods of drought, it is right that we look at the everyday behaviours that can help reduce water use. But water efficiency is not just about asking people to change what they do – we also need to consider how well the products we use every day perform.

“Our research suggests that for many people, flushing twice is not a conscious choice to use more water, but simply the result of a toilet not clearing effectively first time. That means there is an opportunity to reduce unnecessary water use through better-performing flushing systems, alongside the changes we are all being encouraged to make.”