A word of warning: This is not what it looks like! What’s in the toilet is SOYBEAN PASTE! But, you still may not want to watch this video while eating your breakfast 
CBC Spark: Nora visits the Toilet Lab from CBC Radio: Spark on Vimeo.
Last week, we paid a visit to Bill Gauley’s toilet lab in Mississauga, near Toronto. Bill is a water efficiency engineer and he operates Veritec Consulting. For years, Bill has tested toilets to see which ones work, and which ones are, well, crap. He releases the results of his tests in a detailed toilet report.
A quick history of toilets: Once upon a time we had 20-litre toilets. Then we on moved to 13-litre toilets, and this is what the majority of Canadians have in their homes. 13-litre toilets are illegal to sell in the United States, but we can still get them in Canada. In the U.S., 6-litre toilets are mandated. The Spark crew was curious about high efficiency toilets, 4.8-litres or less, that are easier on the water supply, and your water bill.
Bill’s bottom line is that these high efficiency babies can perform just as well as the 13 and 6-litre toilets, provided you choose one that passes all the tests. Just because a toilet is labeled high efficiency does not mean it’s a winner.
If you’re in the market for a new toilet, here are some tips on buying a better bowl:
:: Take a look at Bill’s report. He can’t recommend specific models, but he suggests you look for a toilet with a WaterSense label. WaterSense is similar to the ENERGY STAR rating given to appliances. If a toilet is WaterSense certified, Bill says it will save water, and it still performs well in his solid waste tests. A word of caution: the report is very dense! WaterSense toilets have the green box filled in on the chart.
:: Call your local government to see if you can get a toilet rebate. Some municipalities will offer you anywhere from $50-$75 dollars to replace your old toilet with a more efficient toilet. Toronto, North Vancouver and Calgary are just some of the cities with a rebate.
Note: The 3-litre toilet Bill tested in the video is not on the market yet, but is expected to hit shelves in the new year. It’s the first of its kind, and was invented by a Canadian.
And if that’s not enough toilet info, you can check out our photos from the toilet lab.
I wish I had heard the “toilet” program a few months ago. I finished renovating my basement, but failed the inspection only because I bought a 13 litre/flush toilet instead of a 6 litre/flush toilet!
It seems the stores still sell the 13 litre toilet, but most medium and large sized municipalities won’t permit them for new construction. Apparently, although I haven’t checked, it is in the Ontario Building Code.
Fortunately the store took the toilet back, and I was able to purchase a 6 litre toilet to replace it.
@Mike–Yes, my understanding is that in Ontario, toilets installed in new homes or construction must be 6 L max. This has been around since 1996, but I think it is still the only province/territory to have this rule.
Can you give us a hint as to who makes the Canadian 3L toilet? I’d love to check it out in the new year. I currently have an Australian and an American HET (both were made in Asia) and would love to replace my remaining 13L toilet with a Canadian toilet!
News about these toilets is great but… Many places in Canada still don’t meter water use so where’s the incentive to use an efficient toilet (or an efficient anything else, for that matter). Out here in the Kootenays of BC, our small water utility has fought a recent battle to install water meters. A small number of users are still complaining, apparently fixated on the amount of water in our lake. The mindset that we can use and waste as much water as we like is pretty prevalent. Sorry, but we have a long way to go and without government-mandated standards, it won’t happen quickly, or at all.
Quick suggestion from a marketer: you should link bacl to this page from the Vimeo video’s page, so that people who watch the video first on video can click through and learn about Spark.
Also, you might consider tagging your videos more creatively (I added a few on Vimeo).
I’d also like info on who makes the Canadian 3 L toilet. We need to replace three and would love to help environment and Canada.
Water Matrix
Hennessy and Hinchcliffe (otherwise known as H&H) is the manufacturer. It is available through many distributors such as Wolesely and Noble Trade. Ask your plumber, or contact Water Matrix with any questions 1-800-668-4420) website is http://www.watermatrix.com/mediaroom_3.0.php
This was a most informative post, and it came a few days after our elderly toilet “tanked,” if you’ll pardon the pun. We went to Veritec’s website and checked out the reports, but couldn’t find evaluation of the 3L Canadian-made toilet that Bill Gauley was talking about. Please tell us which company makes the toilet he was referring to so that we can make a wise purchase come January. Thanks!
did you ever get an answer?
Water Matrix is the master distributor for this toilet.
We purchased a Toto toilet that was listed on Bill’s report and are happy to say that it has never clogged once in several years of use. We were wary of low flush toilets but I believe that if you find the right one you will enjoy the savings, both from the water meter and to the environment.
We switched to a dual flush toilet made by Rona based on to Toto design from Australia. The flush is either 4L or 6L, your choice and it works great. Cost was $229 early last year.
Years ago, while in Japan, I saw toilet that after being flushed it had a spout that drained back into the holding tank (for the next flush) and the water coming out of the spout allowed you to wash your hands…in effect you had grey water (after your hand washing) being reused in the next flush (of course this was not hot water)…of course the toilets from and in Japan can be very extravagant: clean and dry you, music, maybe even karoke…:)
@rita @arlene @hank
The 3-litre toilet is designed by Phil Hennessy, who lives near Trenton, Ontario. I spoke to the manufacturer this morning, and I'm told that the toilet is expected to hit the market sometime in 2009, but a date has not been set yet.
The toilet is now available through Water Matrix
Just a quick clarification, as of September, the BC Building Code requires 6L low flush toilets in all new construction and renovations.
Looking forward to seeing the new 3L toilet when it comes out…
BC building code requires 6 litre maximum.
Very sad. Most men I talk to say that they have to double or tripple flush these 6L toilets. Doesn't sound effiecient to me. Probably works great for kids poo but the video should've showed a more realistic poo sample. I know I'll be keeping my 13L toilets.
Clearing the bowl with such a small amount of water is admirable.My question is how much drainline carry can you expect with that small amount of water moving such a large amount of waste ? Is that duckie is going to end up sitting somewhere just outside of the toilet with not enough liquid motivation available to move it far enough down the line It sounds to me like there’s potential of clogging sewage drain lines that were designed to move waste with considerably more water than that.This is where dual flush toilets make sense.It is obviously safer to use a smaller amount of water for liquid flushes because they are not expected to move any solid waste so they pose no threat of ever plugging or blocking the drain line.For solid waste the water volume is then increased so that the user can flush with confidence knowing there is adequate water volume to get the job done.Having a one size flush fits all mentality is old thinking This is why dual flush is mandatory in Australia.Because the logic and common sense of it has been proven , undeniably.
All toilets certified in Canada must pass minimum drain carry tests. The 3 litre toilet surpassed minimum standards and is comparable to other 6 litre and dual flush technologies. What makes this toilet work so well is it's innovative design.
All toilets that are certified in Canada are required to pass a minimum standard for the drain line carry test. The new 3 litre toilet exceeds the minimum standard. Change is not that scary. It really works.
Where does one get this dual flush toilet?
Having installed three new “low flow” toilets just last year in our new building, I can tell you without any hesitation that they are less useful than the crap that they flush.
We were assured that the problems of low flow toilets have been resolved and that these will work fine.
Right.
We now have three trusty plungers, one for each toilet. And they all get used regularly. Along with at least two flushes per use. So much for saving water.
Maybe some toilet designs have cracked the crapper code and work great, but the only thing that *might* convince me is using one for at least a month first.
Sorry, but I am not falling for get the right model and all will be well line this time.
I'd certainly agree that it is possible to buy the wrong model. If you look at the Maximum Performance test report, there's no shortage of toilets which only reliably clear 150 gram samples (~ human male average waste mass – meaning a failure rate of about 50%). I'd not be so quick to say that the right model doesn't exist since I haven't tried any of the ones that reliably clear 1000 gram masses. With respect to assurances you got from people, I'd personally be surprised if salespeople at most places I might go to buy a toilet had read this or a similar report and memorized the relative effectiveness of their different toilet models.
You're right there aren't any 6 litre toilets that work. The hundreds of thousands of 6 litre toilets installed and the hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers are in your imagination.
I also want to know who is the manufacturer of this fancy new Canadian-designed 3L toilet. Please share, and let us out of the dark.
I’m with Ron when it comes to “low flow” toilets. We installed a 6L toilet when we remodeled the bathroom. It looks great but there is always an odour around it, like the bad stuff is just below the surface. Now we use bleach, a brush and a double flush to try to keep it clean, without a lot of success. Needless to say, I am skeptical about a 3L unit.
Try one and find out
Hi Jessy,
I posted the name of the manufacturer/designer a few days ago.It’s Phil Hennessy. If you search online you can find info about his company.
Cheers,
Elizabeth
Phil hennesey is the inventor. Water Matrix is the distributor
I’m also concerned about whether there is enough water to make everything flow through the drains properly. Also, I’m on a septic system, not large-city sewage drains. Should this be a concern for me?
Ron:
I'm a plumbing retail/contractor and am very aware of your types of situations. We get them all the time. Part of the problem is the "Big boxes" They'll sell anything.
We have a policy:"If it won't work we won't sell it" There are lots of inexpensive (Starting at $100.00) toilets that do work well. Some better than others. You do have to do your own homework. The Veritec web site is a good place to start.
Jack Pieterman (jpieterman@rogers.com)
The toilet is tested regarding drain line carry. It exceeds minimum standards
I have found that the low flush Toto toilet is efficient but have hard from others that many Canadian low flush models do not do the job in One flush.
I would make another comment that North American toilets are TOO LOW so they are not very easy to use for older people. Toilets in Europe, Australia and New Zealand are higher and therefore much easier to use.
Veritec also does a Drainline Carry Test. Most 6 lts. work well, even when installed in the basement. Even the new 3 lt. will carry waste out to the street, but this is about as low as toilets will be able to go. If you are having problems with your waste carrying, it is probably your plumbing, not the toilet!
Yes, thank you.
I contacted the manufacturer/distributor today and can advise the following:
- website is http://www.watermatrix.com
- the units are manufactured in China
- the 3.0 l not yet available in stores but available from Company for pick up at warehouse in Brampton
- N7716 Round Front Bowl 3.0L White $195.00 ea (shipping and taxes not included)
- N7717 Elongated Bowl 3.0L with Slow Close Seat White $235.00 (shipping and taxes not included)
- currently there is no show-room to see an installed unit
- I have pics of the inner workings — send me an email and I will forward them rturland@rogers.com
Now available in some retail outlets
I contacted Water Matrix and learned you may buy/order these toilets @ Home Hardware. I went to my closest store and found it on display and in stock.
It was installed today, so I can't report on performance yet. However, I'm hoping as I have 2 more 13L to replace for my eco audit.
You can take a standard 3.5 gal toilet and turn it into a dual flush toilet with a conversion kit. you current toilet will then be a an HET toilet, so you end with the best performace when you need it. I did it to all mine and love the results
So, Canadian, eh? And built in China? Nice. I think Ontario car builders know where to go now that they need a job. So, tell me, why on earth do we need China to building everything in this country from the food we eat to the crapper we use to rid us of it? It is so sad when we say we have invented something only to have it manufactured to build wealth in other countries. I wonder how many jobs China exports to Canada?
Unfortunately toilet manufacturers do not have the option to make toilets in Canada because there are no toilet manufacturers in Canada. At least Canadians are coming up with great ideas.
My sentiments, exactly. I guess that's why so many North Americans are out of work.
Global economy people! If the toilet was made here, it would probably cost you $1,000. Then you'd complain about how expensive it is to buy anything.
Like your cup of coffee for example… if coffee wasn't grown in Central and South America where they pay the peasants nothing to farm it, it would cost you more than $1.50 for a cup of Arabica brew (try $5.00).
Those China-made products are looking a lot more atractive now, eh!?
Not really!
I'm in the middle of a batharoom reno and this sounded like the perfect addition to our bathroom. I checked the watermatrix.com website today and they have the new 3 litre toilet on their website now along with some product info. After inquiring with them they to see where I could purchase one, i was referred to a plumbing supply shop over 1.5 hours away.____Why are these things so hard to find? You'd think that people would be knocking their door down.
I heard of the water matrix 3 litre Canadian designed toilet thanks to Spark and Nora. We included it in our renovation (special ordered for $400 to Saskatoon) and now we've been using it for a couple weeks or so. I must say it is one amazing toilet. Everything goes in one flush. The small tank usually has no condensation because the 3 litres warms up to room temperature quickly and the noise of water running back into the tank ends very quickly. The only drawbacks are that it might not work on greywater because it uses pressure of incoming water? And it might be necessary to use the brush a little more often as there is less water gushing through the bowl each time. Alternatively you can wait until next pee stop. Overall an awesome toilet!
Glad to hear it, Robert!
Quick update,
We've been using the watermatrix for a couple of months now (with 5 people) and the function has been flawless. It's easier to keep clean now than when I first wrote – no idea why. It flushes more reliably than any other one I've had, but this is the first time I've ever had a new modern unit. It has even dealt with what I thought was a hopeless mound of paper towels our little one put down there… As it uses only 3 litres it tends to get flushed a little more often: "watch this, only 3 litres! and 25 seconds to refill the tank!" (some visitors's eyes glaze over at this point) So far my biggest beef is how hard it was to find a dealer and perhaps the tank could fit our decor better… The bowl looks sharp with an oaken seat
Thanks Nora for making us aware of a sharp canuck invention. The obvious thing would have been to buy one of the cheaper but less efficient and way uncooler units out there in the store displays.
I have a small business that is distributing and installing these amazingly efficient toilets. If you are in the Peel, Halton, Toronto area please let me know and I will get you a great deal.
Please E-mail me at sales@ecototal.ca.
I have a six litre toilet that usually uses only one flush. The problem is the residue that is left on the porcelain because of the weight of the feces on the sides and bottom of the bowl due to the fact that there is so little water to support the weight of the feces while they wait to be flushed. How does this toilet solve this problem?
We have recently moved into a new house, new construction so there shouldn't be any problems with the plumbing. We have a dual flush 3 litre/ 6 litre Caroma (Australian toilet-made in China). It usually takes two full flushes to get all the chunky stuff to go away.