Question: What is a high-efficiency toilet (HET)?
Answer: A high-efficiency toilet (HET) is a toilet with a flush volume of 4.8 litres (1.28 gallons) or less. Dual-flush toilets are classified as HETs because the ratio of reduced flushes (up to 4.1 litres) to full flushes (up to 6 litres) results in an effective flush volume that is less than 4.8 litres.
Question: What is a high-efficiency urinal (HEU)?
Answer: A high-efficiency urinal (HEU) is a fixture with a flush volume of 1.9 litres or less.
Question: The Building Code currently requires the installation of toilets with a maximum 6-litre flush volume in all new construction. Why is the government moving to a Building Code requirement for HETs?
Answer: Toilets represent 30 to 40 per cent of domestic water use in households and commercial and institutional buildings. The installation of toilets that use less water increases water savings. On average, high-efficiency toilets use at least 20 per cent less water than the 6-litre models that are currently required in B.C.
Question: When will the new requirements take effect?
Answer: The new requirements will take effect on October 3, 2011. This will give suppliers time to reduce existing inventory and bring in new HET stock. The new requirements will apply to building permit applications submitted on or after October 3, 2011.
Question: What is included in the HET/HEU requirement? Will it apply to every new building?
Answer: No. The HET requirement makes a distinction between industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) buildings and residential buildings. The requirement for toilets with a maximum flush cycle of 6 litres in ICI buildings will remain unchanged.
In new residential buildings and residential renovations involving plumbing fixtures, high-efficiency toilets or dual-flush toilets will be required.
HEUs will be required whenever urinals are installed. The requirement will apply to all new buildings as well as renovations involving plumbing fixtures.
Question: What is the availability of HETs across B.C.? How much do they cost?
Answer: While availability of HETs is still somewhat limited, prices are comparable to 6-litre models, with a range from $150 to $300.
Question: How well do HETs perform?
Answer: While some early low-consumption toilets did not perform well, in recent testing by Veritec Consulting and Koeller and Company, all of the high-efficiency and dual-flush models (over 100) demonstrated good to excellent flushing performance.
Question: Has the BC government identified the top rated HET models and manufacturers to help consumers make informed purchases?
Answer: A detailed report on the performance of HETs is available on the Internet.
Question: Will an HET/HEU requirement increase construction costs?
Answer: No. The cost of HETs/HEUs is comparable to fixtures with higher water consumption.
Question: Are HETs compatible with current sanitary drainage systems?
Answer: According to several recent research reports, HETs can meet the waste transport requirements typical of residential sanitary drainage systems. However, when HETs are installed in ICI buildings, there are concerns about the drainline carry of a 4.8 litre flush volume. Until further research on drainline transport issues becomes available, the BC Building Code’s HET requirement will be limited to residential buildings.
Question: I’m on a septic system. Can I still install an HET?
Answer: HETs are generally considered to benefit septic systems by reducing the volume of wastewater flowing into them.
