EPA has begun to test products for its water sense program, labeling program encourages water efficient products. Water in Idaho is under the gun. We are going to see more requirements in Idaho for water efficient measures. Did you know the average family uses 400 gallons of water each day and toilets represent a whopping 26% of all home indoor water use!!!!

Kohler as well as many other companies are making a commitment to being a leader in this area. Eight Kohler and Sterling  toilets will bear the water sense label. see article in Home Energy magazine September and October issue www.homeenergy.org   for choosing a efficient toilet

1. choosing a high efficiency toilet look for gravity fed models fitted with 3 inch diameter flapper or flush valves tend to outperform models fitted with the more traditional flappers.

2. pressure assist model tend to perform well and to deliver consistent water savings over the long run, but they are louder and sometimes more expensive

3. performance and price do not go hand in hand. some inexpensive models perform very well. conversely some costly models perform very poorly.

4. Rely on MaP test results for flush performance. Ignore the less meaningful claims that you might hear at a trade show from sales personnel. Statement such as "This model can flush 30 golf balls" or "this model has a fully glazed trapway" are usually little more than marketing gimmicks.

5. Consider specific models rather than specific manufacturers.  Many manufacturers. Many manufacturers offer both high performance and low-performing models.

read the special issue of Home Energy magazine on Water Efficiency. other manufactures like Caroma have been making great toilets for some  time.check out www.caromausa.com 

what about your faucets? you can buy inserts that take faucets down to 1.5 GPM for most faucets. more options coming up all the time. look for more on the water sense label.