TEC400 Civil Engineering: Detailed Analysis of Low-Flush Toilets

This report, prepared for TEC400, delves into the technology and design of low-flush toilets. It begins with an introduction to the concept, highlighting the water-saving benefits compared to traditional toilets. The report explores the evolution of low-flush toilets, addressing initial issues and advancements in design, particularly focusing on dual-flush systems. It details the working mechanisms of both gravity-flush and high-pressure, aided toilets, explaining how each type achieves efficient waste removal with reduced water consumption. The report further outlines the economic and environmental advantages of low-flush toilets, including water conservation, cost savings, and durability. The conclusion emphasizes the significance of these toilets in promoting water conservation and reducing environmental impact, supported by cited references. This report is a valuable resource for civil engineering students studying water management and sustainable design.

Running head: TEC400 1
Civil Engineering
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Introduction
A low-flush also referred to as low-flow toilet is a flush toilet which is designed to use far
less water in comparison to as a full-flush toilet. These kinds of toilets have a specific
configuration of the siphon and cistern to facilitate the removal of excreta and related wastes
with less water. Low-flush toilets minimize water usage, but low-flow toilets also need
significant volumes of water and, in certain versions, consumers need to flush more frequently in
order to guarantee the full elimination of faecal matter from the bowl.
Technology and design principles to solve the issue
As a consequence, several consumers became dissatisfied and irritated with the first wave of
low-flush toilet efficiency issues. Since then, the designers have overcome these issues by
changing the passageways in order to transfer a limited volume of water more aggressively
across the pipe. Dual-low-flush toilets have been designed to render these toilets much more
effective (Johnson, Lynch, Marshall, Mead, & Hirst, 2013).
How low flush toilet works.
This based on the two types of low flush toilets hence their respective working mechanisms;
i. Gravity flush toilets; it is the most common type. Such toilets are designed to use a
decent amount of water to dispose of solid waste. Once the toilet is flushed, the
release of the valve enables the water in the tank to flow into the siphon pump. As the
power of water now moving the waste outwards, the toilet cleans and is primed for
more use. Such models were less successful in the past, however with modern designs
and technologies, they can efficiently dispose of waste without exceeding the 1.6 gpf
required (Dunlap, 2017). They are often fairly inexpensive and simple to handle as
spare parts are popular and convenient to deal with. Gravity flush toilets have two
different types, namely single flush and dual flush toilets. Single flush toilets utilize
1.6 gallons of water for each flush and with modern developments function well
enough to eliminate the required level of 250 grams of waste. Next are the modern
and progressively successful dual flush toilets. Both are perfect as the big flush
requires 1.6 gallons of water to efficiently eliminate waste while the smaller flush
alternative needs just 0.8 gallons per flush for flushing urine visits (An, Lee, Jo, &
Kim, 2012). It enables to regulate the amount of water for use with any flush.

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ii. The second type is a high-pressure, aided toilet. Some versions squeeze the air within
the tank with the weight of the water pumped into the toilet. Whenever a rapid
whoosh flushed, the vibration of pressurized water movements washed out of the tank
and into the drain pipe. These are mainly used for industrial uses, but they may also
be built in houses. You've just got to deal with the noisy noise that any flush creates.
Such versions are often very costly and more difficult to install or replace.
Regrettably, this model cannot be merged into the current configuration.
Benefits of low flush toilets
i. Low-Flow Toilets are Economic and Environmental-Friendly Contrary to
conventional toilets, low-flow systems consume only half the water of an
older unit per flush. Using gravity or a pressure-assisted system, a low-
flow toilet requires 1.6 gallons of water or fewer per flush. It helps in
lower electricity and water costs and better power efficiency (Anand &
Apul, 2018).
ii. Water conservation. When water efficiency and cutting costs are your
main goals, a dual Flush Toilet would be the best choice. Usually, these
systems have two buttons at the top for two separate flushing choices. Half
a flush choice and complete a flush choice offers people the opportunity to
select the right alternative for their particular experience (Özel & Baykal,
2013).
iii. Durability and rebates. You will regain your original expenditure and save
still more money the more you use a low-flow toilet. Low-flow toilets will
last for up to 30 years without it being replaced. They will even bring
significance to home's resale value (Özel & Baykal, 2013).
Conclusion
Low-flush toilets are prominent with several households who like to conserve
water, whether they choose to save costs or reduce environmental effects. These
effective, water-saving toilets have come a long way since they first launched in
the 1990s, with many models now accessible providing greater design and much
more choices than in recent year,

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References
An, I. Y., Lee, Y. L., Jo, W. S., & Kim, J. H. (2012). A Study on Development of
High Efficiency Toilets with VOF Numerical Analysis. Journal of The Korean
Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers, 21(6), 946–953. doi:
10.7735/ksmte.2012.21.6.946
Anand, C., & Apul, D. (2018). Economic and environmental analysis of standard,
high efficiency, rainwater flushed, and composting toilets. Journal of
Environmental Management, 92(3), 419–428. doi:
10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.08.005
Dunlap, A. (2017). From Primitive Accumulation to Modernized Poverty:
Examining Flush toilets through the Four Invaluation Processes. Forum for
Social Economics, 1–20. doi: 10.1080/07360932.2017.1387864
Johnson, D., Lynch, R., Marshall, C., Mead, K., & Hirst, D. (2013). Aerosol
Generation by Modern Flush Toilets. Aerosol Science and Technology, 47(9),
1047–1057. doi: 10.1080/02786826.2013.814911
Özel, B. D., & Baykal, B. B. (2013). Awareness raising and educated activities
for effective water savings: a case study with dual flush toilets. Water and
Society. doi: 10.2495/ws130211