Low-Flow Toilets-what are they?

Today's low-flow toilets were mandated by federal law in 1992 as a way to conserve water-a precious and limited natural resource. Current standards call for a maximum water usage of 1.6 GPF (gallon per flush). In the past, toilets were designed to flush with 7 GPF, then 5 GPF and more recently, 3.5 GPF.

Low-flow toilets fall into three basic technologies: gravity, pressure and vacuum-assist. Gravity-type models rely on siphonic action to draw water from the bowl down the trap. Pressure-type models use various means of adding pressure to the equation, "pushing" water through the flush process.

A proven advancement in low-flow technology is the Vacuity® from Briggs Industries and the VIP from Crane-both leading toilet manufacturers. Each features the vacuum-assisted VAC® high performance, low gallonage flushing system. Originally patented and designed by Fluidmaster under the name The "VAC", the system is now manufactured by Briggs and Crane under licensed agreement with Fluidmaster.