3 Types of Water Saving Toilets for Multifamily Buildings

If you manage a multifamily building, you know how fast water bills can add up. Old toilets waste a lot of water, and constant clogs or weak flushes can lead to extra repairs and unhappy tenants.

On top of that, there’s a growing movement toward using more water-saving devices to cut down on water waste and lower long-term costs.

One of the easiest ways to save water in your building is by updating your toilets. In this article, we’ll go over three types of water-saving toilets that work well in multifamily properties.

What Are Low-Flow Toilets and How Do They Work?

Low-flow toilets are made to use less water than older toilets. If you’re replacing an old model with a new toilet, you might be surprised by how much water it saves. Many of these toilets use only 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) or even less.

Some use just 1.28 gpf. That’s a big drop from older models that used 3.5 gpf or more. You’ll often find these labeled toilets at your local store or on the product page of your favorite site.

How Do Low-Flow Toilets Work?

Low-flow toilets help save water without giving up performance. They do this by using different flushing systems. Some use gravity, while others use pressure or a mix of both.

These systems help move waste and toilet paper through the drain quickly and cleanly, without getting blocked. You don’t need to worry about clogs if you pick the right toilets to use in your home or building.

Should You Install Low-Flow Toilets?

If you're thinking about making a change, now’s a good time to update your bathrooms. Since 2007, 12 states require toilets to use no more than 1.28 gallons per flush. Low-flow toilets are not only better for the planet, they’re a smart choice for any family or property.

3 Types of Low-Flow Toilets And Example Products

If you’re planning to update your bathrooms, it helps to know what kind of low-flow toilets are out there. Let’s take a quick look at the three main types of low-flow toilets. We'll also provide you with sample products that you can check out.

1. Gravity-Assisted Toilets

Gravity-assist toilets are the most common type of low-flow toilets. They work using simple physics.

When you flush, water falls from the tank into the bowl, using gravity to move waste down the drain.

These toilets are quiet, easy to fix, and the parts are easy to find at most hardware stores.

Toto Drake Two-Piece Elongated Toilet

Source: totousa.com

This Drake toilet is built for comfort, quiet flushing, and water savings. It uses only 1.28 gallons per flush, making it a smart choice for saving water without losing power. The smooth ceramic surface helps keep the bowl clean, and the elongated design adds extra comfort.

Here are its key features:

• Tornado Flush - Powerful and quiet flushing system that uses only 1.28 gallons per flush

• Cefiontect glaze - Smooth ceramic finish that helps prevent waste from sticking

• Elongated bowl - Extra room and comfort compared to a round bowl

• Chrome trip lever - Sleek, easy-to-use handle with a polished look

• 12" rough-in - Standard size for simple installation in most bathrooms

2. Pressure-Assisted Toilets

Pressure-assisted toilets have a sealed tank that builds air pressure as it fills with water. When you flush, it releases water with strong force to clear waste quickly.

These toilets are great for clearing solid waste and don’t sweat like regular models. They cost more and are louder, but they are strong and water-efficient.

Kohler Highline Pressure-Assisted Toilet

Source: kohler.com

The Highline Classic is made for strong flushing and added comfort. It uses 1.6 gallons per flush and includes a pressure-assisted system for better bulk waste removal. The elongated bowl adds more sitting space, and the polished chrome handle gives a clean, classic look.

Here are its key features:

• Pressure Lite flush - Powerful pressure-assisted system for strong bulk flushing

• 1.6 GPF - Uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush for effective cleaning

• Elongated bowl - Extra room for added comfort

• Sloan FLUSHMATE® system - Built with trusted technology from Sloan for reliable performance

• Chrome trip lever - Easy-to-use handle on the left side with a shiny finish

3. Dual Flush Toilets

Dual-flush toilets let you choose between two flush options. One uses more water for solid waste, and the other uses less for liquid waste.

These toilets help save water and can reduce usage by about 20 percent each year. They cost a little more but meet WaterSense standards and are a smart upgrade for many buildings.

American Standard H2Option Dual-Flush Toilet

Source: americanstandard.com

This H2Option toilet offers two flush options to help conserve water—1.28 gallons for full flushes and 0.92 gallons for lighter flushes. It’s designed for optimal performance and features a smart design to keep the bowl cleaner.

The EverClean surface helps stop bacteria, mold, and odors from building up, while the PowerWash rim gives a strong flush every time.

Here are its notable features:

• Dual flush system - Offers 1.28 GPF for solid waste and 0.92 GPF for liquid waste to save more water

• EverClean surface - Keeps the bowl cleaner by stopping bacteria, mold, and mildew from growing

• PowerWash rim - Uses strong water flow around the rim for a cleaner bowl

• Siphon jet bowl - Moves water quickly and powerfully for better flushing

• 12" rough-in - Standard fit for easy replacement or installation

Save More Water With DrizzleX's Toilet Submetering

Even if your building has modern, water-saving toilets, water leaks can still happen. A slow leak in just one toilet can waste thousands of gallons each month without anyone noticing.

DrizzleX's toilet submetering system helps you track water use at the fixture level, so you can catch toilet leaks early and stop waste before it gets out of hand.

To show how well this works, DrizzleX ran a year-long water usage study at a multi-unit property in Kansas City, Missouri.

The results showed a clear drop in water consumption and monthly costs after installing DrizzleX’s system, which monitored and managed water use from toilets only.

Key Results:

• Daily water savings – Dropped by 23%, from 9,771 to 7,429 gallons per day (2,342 gallons saved daily)

• Per tenant usage – Reduced from 28 to 21 gallons per day across 84 tenants

• Monthly savings per unit – Cut from $157.50 to $119, saving $38.50 each month

• Annual property savings – Total savings of $28,045 with 1.3 HCF saved per unit monthly

Even by focusing only on toilet water usage, DrizzleX helped reduce both waste and utility costs in a measurable way. This highlights the impact of using smart water monitoring tools in multifamily buildings.

How DrizzleX Helps You Save Water and Money

DrizzleX helps you catch hidden leaks like running toilets and dripping faucets. These small problems can waste a lot of water without anyone noticing. Most buildings that install DrizzleX cut their water bills by 25 to 45 percent. On average, the system pays for itself in just nine months.

• Usage reports - DrizzleX gives you clear reports showing where water is being used the most. You can use these reports to talk to tenants and help them cut back.

• Leak detection - Running toilets are a common hidden leak. DrizzleX tracks water flow in real time and alerts you when something’s wrong, even if you can’t see it.

• Email notifications - When a leak is detected, you receive an email with the unit number, the specific fixture (such as a toilet), the amount of water lost, the potential cost, and the possible cause.

• Billing - DrizzleX lets you bill tenants based on how much water they use. When tenants are responsible for their usage, they’re more likely to report or fix toilet leaks.

Discover the true cost of your toilets. Get a free quote today!

FAQs About Water Saving Toilets

What is the best toilet for saving water?

The best toilet for saving water is a high-efficiency dual-flush toilet. It uses about 1.28 gallons per flush for solid waste and just 0.8 to 1 gallon for liquid waste.

These water-saving toilets use around 20 percent less water per year compared to a standard toilet, and many meet EPA WaterSense standards.

Do water-saving toilets work?

Yes, water-saving toilets do work and can start saving money right away. According to the EPA, replacing older toilets with low-flow toilets can save you around $110 a year in water bills.

These toilets use less water per flush but still clear the bowl efficiently. As long as the tank and flapper are working properly, they flush waste just fine using less water per flush than older models.

Do dual flush toilets actually save water?

Yes, dual flush toilets can save about 25 percent more water compared to a regular low-flow toilet. They give you the option to use less water for liquid waste, which really adds up over time.

A good dual flush toilet helps your home use less water per day and can lower your annual water bill by around $100.

How much does a water-saving toilet cost?

A new water-saving toilet usually costs about $250 on average. Some models may be priced as low as $100 or as high as $500, depending on features like bowl height, flush type, and brand.

Since these saving toilets can cut your water use by around 11,000 gallons of water each year, you can recover the cost in about two years. Over time, that means real savings for your home and a lower water bill.