WASHROOM
FLUSHING OUT UNSUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE
Richard Braid, Managing Director at Cistermiser, looks at how direct flushing systems can cut water waste and help facilities managers achieve their sustainability goals.
Today’s washrooms must address rising demands for water efficiency. The UK faces a growing water crisis – projections suggest that by 2050, nearly five billion extra litres of water will be needed daily to meet demand. While a dripping tap can waste 5,500 litres a year; a leaking toilet can waste 400 litres a day. It is vital that water is managed and conserved effectively wherever possible.
For facilities managers, adopting direct flushing represents a major shift towards a more efficient, hygienic and cost-effective solution to water saving in washrooms, as it is ideally suited for today’s high-usage environments where water conservation and regulatory compliance are simply non-negotiable.
Traditional toilet cisterns can leak, be difficult to maintain and waste substantial amounts of water if a user over flushes. In some cases, cisterns continue to flush even when it’s not needed, wasting valuable water and raising bills. Some cisterns, particularly those that go unflushed for long periods (such as during school holidays or in sports stadiums) can also pose a hygiene risk as standing water at room temperature provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria like Legionella.
Direct flushing systems address these issues by connecting directly to the mains water supply so there’s no need for a cistern and there’s no standing water. Instead, each flush draws directly from the mains, avoiding the build-up of harmful bacteria so washrooms remain safe and hygienic.
Gravity-fed cisterns often lack dynamic pressure which can lead to an incomplete flush and if the pan doesn’t fully clear on the first flush, users may try flushing again – but with refill times of up to 60 seconds, the cistern will not be ready for another full flush right away. The result is either a subpar flush that compromises hygiene or heightened frustration for users due to increased washroom dwell time. Direct flush systems solve this problem by using dynamic pressure to deliver an immediate and effective flush with no refill delay. Successive flushes can be performed instantly, ensuring the needs of high-volume usage are quickly serviced, while maintaining high hygiene standards.
Cistermiser’s Easyflush Direct system is such a solution, designed without a cistern, reducing the risk of leaks and utilises a dual-flush mechanism for efficiency. It is available in both active and passive modes to cater for user needs. For example, in ‘wave’ mode, users simply wave a hand in front of a sensor to activate the flush, while ‘walkaway’ mode automatically flushes when the user
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leaves the cubicle. This solution can intelligently sense the length of stay and will automatically initiate either a partial flush should the user exit quickly or a full flush for longer stays, combining water savings with cleanliness.
There are also benefits to be made with urinals. In washrooms with high urinal usage, traditional auto-flush systems often lead to excessive water consumption, as urinals flush at timed intervals regardless of use. Direct flush systems for urinals, like Cistermiser’s Direct Flush, solve this issue by only activating when necessary. Equipped with an infrared sensor, the system flushes automatically when the user steps away, the adjustable flush durations ensure that the correct volume of water is used on every flush. Additionally, if the urinal goes unused for 12 hours, the Direct Flush system automatically performs a hygiene flush to prevent odours and the build-up of uric acid, supporting cleanliness and preventing blockages.
Reliability and reduced costs Built with durability in mind, Easyflush Direct minimises maintenance requirements by being fully mains-powered and designed for longevity. This not only reduces the demand on facility staff, but also offers substantial savings over time, particularly in water consumption. Compared to traditional WCs that often experience seal degradation and subsequent leaks, Easyflush Direct achieves up to 181,500 litres in water savings per year, per unit, offering a sustainable choice with reduced operating costs and offering an attractive product payback of approximately eight months. Easyflush Direct offers
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