How many gallons does YOUR toilet use per flush?

When you flush away your cares/TP/Goldie the Goldfish.. how much water are you using?

There are standards, but each toilet will perform differently. Check the labels printed on the little rectangle of porcelain behind the seat - but be aware that these are not always an accurate representation.

1 gallon per flush = urinal
1.2 gallons per flush = high efficiency
1.6 gallons per flush = low flow (mandated in California post-1992)
3.6 gallons per flush = high flow
anything higher = yikes

Even if you know what your toilet is SUPPOSED to flush, it's hard to tell exactly how much water it's using without measuring. Some conservation specialists are so attuned that they can tell the toilet's capacity by the sound of the flush. Us laymen need a little more assistance. The good news - especially for those of us teaching junior high schoolers about volume - is that there is an equation you can use!


(picture: "Fish n' Flush," which, for the record, is 2.2gpf)

You will need a measuring tape.

1. Take the top off your toilet. I know, I know, this isn't the most fun in the world. Don't balk at this step. I promise, it will be worth it.

2. Measure the length of the toilet. Measure so the metal tab at the end of the tape fits against the inside edge of the tank. Record this number (usually about 15.75").

3. Measure the width of the toilet. Again, make sure you are only measuring the inside of the tank. Record this number (usually about 5.25").

4. Now send the metal end of the measuring tape down to the bottom of the tank to record the inches of water when the tank is full. Remember this number (about 8") and leave the tape there, as you prepare for the most exciting step which is.....

5. Flush the toilet!! Watch your tape carefully and record the inches of water when the tank is at its lowest (about 4").

6. Subtract the full inches - empty inches. This number is called the "drop." This is the number of inches of water that leave the tank and go into the bowl every time you flush. (about 4")

7. Now take your drop (about 4") and multiply it by the length and width. This gets you cubic inches of water for each drop (volume!). (usually 400-500 cubic inches)

8. Your magical constant is 231. Divide your cubic inches by 231. Add .5.

9. Suddenly you have converted to gallons per flush! This number should be between 1 and 7.

1.6 gpf = low flow
3.6 gpf = high flow
anything higher = yikes

So again, the equation is ((length) * (width) * (full-empty))/231 +.5

If you see no water in your tank, only a black box, that means that you have an HET (high efficiency toilet). Good for you! Make sure there's no water in the tank, or else you've got a leak.

So now what? If you have a 3.6 gpf toilet or higher, contact your local water retailer. They probably will offer you some kind of rebate. Some will even direct-install an HET (all you do is say you want it and let them in. They show up and do everything free).

Who offers one? Dallas does! Petaluma does! Southern California does! Who do you pay for water? Call them up and demand an HET rebate!

And, for good measure, a creepy anthropomorphic water droplet from ecojoes.com.
Actually, this one does not look so much creepy as stoned.

We Heart the Compost Club

We heart The Compost Club!



This Sonoma County nonprofit was founded by Peace Corps volunteer Rick Kaye, and implements educational composting programs at local schools. The schools then sell their compost as a fundraiser.

Oh, Peace Corps. Encouraging sustainable programs since 1961.


Anyway, this program is super cool and is gaining momentum. If you are a Sonoma County resident, consider purchasing a $75 Smith and Hawken compost bin from the Compost Club - they'll deliver it! If you live outside Sonoma County, take this program as a model. It's good for the kids, good for the schools, and good for the environment.

In other news, my roommate threw an avocado skin in our mini undersink compost bin. 24 hours later, the thing's covered in spidery white mold.



Neat-o! It doesn't even smell!

Scottsdale, AZ Sends Free Self-Water Audit Kits to Residents

Hey Scottsdale!

You should get one of these. If only Santa Rosa offered free water audit kits to residents and businesses. I want one and I can't have one! *pout* Free dye tabs! Free flow bag! Free drip cup!



Creepy anthropomorphic water droplet picture from Broward County, FL.

Creepy Anthropomorphic Water Droplet Tells You To Save Water

So apparently local government agencies really enjoy humanizing drops of water. "Pleeease conserve me!" Maybe we are meant to empathize?

Oak Harbor, WA

Cape Cod, MA

Roaring Fork, CO

Rockford, IL "Willy"

Dakota State University "Roxanne"


Creeeeepyyyyyyy! I'm drinking Willy and Roxanne!

Green Girls and Green Guys Global

Begun in September 2006, Green Girls Global covers everything from green weddings to green web design. Its counterpart, Green Guys Global, does cotton to politics.



Check them both out, or sign up for their newsletter digest!

Green is In Vogue

So there's no denying that green is in vogue this year.

Maybe it's the economy; going green really does make economic sense. The "green collar" sector looks to be a growing economic cluster, even as the United States faces job loss across sectors. Energy, gas, water and garbage costs are on the rise.

Maybe it's our emerging generation, indoctrinated by elementary school garbage pickup and Nickelodeon Earth Day specials.

Maybe it's Al Gore.

Regardless, green fashion is IN!

Style.com highlights model Josie Maran, who gives green tips. (Aug. 2007)

Delia's has a selection of eco-message tees.

Sephora has launched a natural and organic selection.

Writing for the The New York Observer, Steve Cohen began a green blog February 8.

And, my inexplicable but powerful undying crush on Tom Hanks has only been strengthened by the revelation that he drives a hybrid!

The Ella Baker Center - Green Jobs Campaign

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights has launched a green jobs campaign. The Oakland-based group "creates opportunities in the green economy for low-income people and people of color," working to solve social problems by training a Green Jobs Corps with soft and hard skills to work in the up-and-coming clean tech sector (green building and renewable energy). The Campaign aims to connect lower-income individuals to environmental issues that have, in the past, been concerns only of the wealthy. The City of Oakland gave $250,000 to the program in 2007, and the Green for All initiative was presented to the Clinton Global Initiative in the fall of last year.



While environmentalism has been an overwhelmingly white phenomenon (as discussed in Van Jones's "Unbearable Whiteness of Green"), the Campaign works to promote "Green Cities for Brown People" (as their recent conference was called).

As Van Jones says, "With murder rates soaring and employment rates plummeting, Oakland is in a literal do-or-die struggle to build a sustainable local living economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty."

Donate, sign up for the mailing list, or volunteer by e-mailing Ian Kim.