Traditional toilets flushed away

Traditional toilets will be banned from future buildings in a bid to improve water conservation, Government has said.


New building regulations which have Environment Minister John Gormley’s approval will stipulate that dual-flush toilets are compulsory for every home.

The move, part of the National Water Conservation programme, would not only ban builders from installing traditional toilets, but will also see DIY shops stock only the dual-flush variety starting in November.

Traditional toilets flush between six and nine litres, while their more efficient counterparts use four litres in water-saving mode and six otherwise.

According to the Irish Times, official estimates suggest a third of the country’s drinking water is used to flush toilets.

Mr Gormley said: “It demonstrates how simple but practical ways can be found to conserve water.”

Dublin City Council fears that water for the area will start running out in 2016, according to the newspaper.

As a result it is considering extracting water from the River Shannon, despite opposition from community groups (see related story).

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