toilets

A leaky toilet can consume as much as 200 gallons of water a day, costing hundreds of dollars a year. Even water efficient toilets that are operating properly account for the highest water use in the home.

When remodeling, look for a High Efficiency Toilet (HET) with the EPA WaterSense label for a water-efficient and high-performing flush.  The EPA WaterSense label means the product has been certified by third-party, independent laboratory testing.  For a list of HET models with the EPA WaterSense label see http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/het.htm.

If replacing the toilet is not an option, make sure the toilet flapper - the rubber mechanism in the tank - works properly.   Test the flapper by putting a teaspoon of food coloring or a dye tablet in the tank and let it sit for 15 minutes without flushing.  If the coloring seeps into the bowl, the flapper does not fit correctly.  For Tampa Bay Water’s comprehensive chart on matching a flapper to your toilet, visit www.toiletflapper.org.