[Greenbuilding] 1/4 gallon per flush toilet...

[Chris Green]

Norbert Senf wrote:
> At 09:10 PM 12/20/2006 -0800, Chris Green wrote:
>   
>> (snip) If there isn't a difference in size in the sewage pipes,
>> then perhaps it's the lack of a large enough market and the extra
>> distance things have to be transported??
>>
>> A more sinister possibility is that the distributors and retailers are
>> persuaded to not buy this stuff to add to their product lines along side
>> well known North American brands...they could risk losing the right to
>> carry the local stuff.
>>     
> (snip)
>
> A neighbor of mine retired here from Germany and used all German plumbing
> when he built his house. Little or no copper, mostly hdpe pipe and fittings.
> <snip>
>   
> He sensed a business opportunity, obtained NA distribution rights for some
> lines of fittings, and looked into it. Apparently, approvals and regulatory
> issues are the main stumbling block.
>   
I hadn't thought of that. It does cost a lot to get UL and CSA approval, 
if that's what's needed, but perhaps a product can get approval easier 
if it already meets or exceeds ISO standards in Europe?

I mentioned the 1 litre WC to one of the plumbers on my jobsite today 
and he was quite impressed with the concept. He also thought there 
should be no problem matching the toilet to the standard waste water 
lines, which your neighbour has confirmed.

Having such a product enter the North American market might force the 
other companies to improve their product lines...

In Canada it looks like the upcoming election campaign will be heavily 
loaded with various 'green' issue platforms, such as last night's 
announcement (by the neo-con Conservatives, no less) that diesel will 
have to contain  5% biodiesel, so perhaps the candidates will be open to 
smoothing the way for higher standard materials from Europe (or elsewhere)?
Something good is going to come out of this development, I think...

Cheers,

Chris Green.