Flush2O.com

The conservation of water is an issue that preoccupies an increasing number of people. Saving water is currently the subject of much research, and some cities are even offering subsidies to people installing more efficient energy devices. Like many others, you probably have felt guilty when flushing the toilet knowing that you have wasted so much water.

Cities and municipalities are investing hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to provide citizens with good water quality. This water is not always used wisely. For some time now, new products have appeared on the market to save water. Among these products, we find particularly low-flow shower faucets, low flush toilets (6 litres) and dual action toilets that let the user select the appropriate amount of water when flushing. There are also devices on sale in order to reduce the amount of water used by the existing sanitary devices. However, some of these products offer poor performance. The general population wants to do its part for the environment, but is not ready to invest huge sums of money to replace their toilets, which are often still in excellent working condition. This situation is especially true for tenants and non home owners.

The idea to invent a product providing a selective dual flush system such as this invention would allow considerable volume of water to be saved. After more than 3 years of R&D and several prototypes, FLUSh2o was born. This device will allow people to save water, without changing their existing toilets.

Amongst all domestic appliances, the toilet is the appliance that consumes the largest amount of water. 30 to 45 % of the total quantity of water used per person every day is dedicated to the use of the toilet. Former models could even consume more than 20 litres of water with every flush. Eventually, the “ economic” toilet came out consuming 13 litres per flush. On the market today, we mainly find 13 litre-flush, and low-flush toilets (6 l). In addition, it is now compulsory in the United States, as well as in certain cities in Canada (like Vancouver), to install low-flush toilets. Furthermore, certain municipalities even offer subsidies to people who wish to replace their old toilet by units which consume less water. Since 1996, the Ontario building code requires the installation of 6 litres toilets in all new buildings.

According to Environment Canada studies, a typical person uses the toilet, on average, 4.5 times per day, including 3.5 times for liquid waste. The following table demonstrates savings for a typical family of 4 over a period of one year.

% of saving with a standard system VS Flush2o
Number of occupants	4	Number of occupants	4
Volume before Flush2o (litres)	13	Volume with Flush2o, #1 (litres)	6
Number of cycle/day	18	Volume with Flush2o, #2 (litres)	11
Amount of water per day (litres)	234	Number of cycle #1/days (3,5)	14
Total annual (litres)	85 410	Number of cycle #2/days (1)	4
		Volume of water cycle #1/days (litres)	84
		Volume of water cycle #2/days (litres)	44
		Total volume used per day (litres)	128
		Total annual (litres)	46 720

Difference (litres)		38 690
% of savings		45,3 %

Economy of water produced per year with Flush2o for an average family of 4;
38 690 litres.

Cost of water treatment; $ 1 / m³
(According to CMHC, filtration and purification)

The purpose of the Flush2o device is to allow the consumer who has an environmental consciousness to do his part in preserving the environment. Some will buy the water saver in order to extend the life of their independent sanitary installation (with septic tank, leaching field), others to reduce their water bill.

The complete replacement of a sanitary device can be costly and laborious, while Flush2o only takes a few seconds to install and costs only a few dollars. That is why, at the time of its conception, the main focus was on the ease of installation and operation. In addition to using the water in an optimal manner, the user will see his drinking water bill reduced. The economy thus generated will allow quick return on investment. In the case of municipalities where water consumption is not subject to probate fees, environmental aspects and the costs associated with treatment are considered, but the lack of water is often at the heart of their concerns.

The quantity of drinking water treated by municipalities is nearly equivalent to the amount of wastewater which is why we must reduce consumption. The process of water treatment is to draw water from nature, filter and remove impurities and add products and chemical agents in order to control and eliminate bacteria that are a risk to human health. Once the water is used, it is sent to a treatment plant in order to produce a final effluent which will have little impact on the environment. The water must undergo two phases in water purification process, that is to say a primary treatment (physical) and a secondary treatment (biological). In some cases, a third treatment may be necessary if compounds such as nitrogen and phosphorus are considered too high. Moreover, the residue produced by these two phases, forms a sludge, which must also be treated or disposed of properly. All these operations are very expensive for cities and municipalities.

Path of drinking water. From the website: http://www.ec.gc.ca/water/fr/manage/effic/f_sustin.htm