The world ditched wasteful toilets, the US stayed behind

As global standards tighten, the Trump administration moves to roll back water efficiency rules for toilets, a shift critics call a step backward for conservation. | Contesto: cronaca

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• The world ditched wasteful toilets, the US stayed behind

Contesto

The United States, long an outlier in water consumption for basic sanitation, is poised to widen its gap with global efficiency standards. The Trump administration is advancing a proposal to loosen federal water pressure regulations for toilets, a move that manufacturers and environmental groups say will inevitably lead to new models using significantly more water per flush. This regulatory shift comes as nations from Europe to Asia have adopted stringent standards, with many toilets now using less than half the water of their average American counterparts. Current federal law mandates that new toilets sold in the U.S. use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush, a standard established in 1992. While this represented a major reduction from older models that could use up to seven gallons, it still lags behind international norms. In much of Europe and parts of Asia, the standard is 1.28 gallons per flush or less, with high-efficiency models using as little as 0.8 gallons. The proposed change does not directly alter the gallons-per-flush limit but targets the water pressure required for a toilet to function properly under that limit, a technical adjustment that critics argue will create a loophole for less efficient designs. The push for deregulation is framed by supporters as a consumer choice and performance issue. Proponents, including the administration, argue that the existing pressure standards can lead to multiple flushes being required to clear a bowl, potentially negating any water savings and frustrating users. They contend that allowing for more powerful flushes under the current 1.6-gallon cap will improve functionality and customer satisfaction. "We are for smarter regulations, not necessarily fewer regulations," a Department of Energy spokesperson was quoted as saying in related hearings, emphasizing the goal of effective products. Environmental advocates and plumbing manufacturers who have invested in high-efficiency technology see the move differently. They warn that the proposed rule is a solution in search of a problem, asserting that modern, compliant toilets from reputable brands perform effectively. They fear the change will stall...

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Categoria: cronaca