No more than 1.6 Gallons Per Flush - A Federal Law?

As we look around us today we see evidence of increasing government involvement and control in our daily lives. The government has taken over the railroads, the banks, and the auto industry. They tell us to wear seat belts and bicycle helmets. They determine how many miles a car should be able to drive on a gallon of gasoline and how much carbon dioxide we can produce. They even dictate the maximum speed we can drive on the highways. The spacing on the bars on baby cribs is defined by law and the government tells us when, where, and if we are allowed to smoke cigarettes. In California the law requires that home heaters and air-conditioners be equipped with special FM receivers to allow the government to control the temperatures in our own homes. Where will it end?

One of the most extraordinary laws that the US Government has imposed on its citizens is the 1992 Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Sounds impressive doesn't it? Some bright congressman had nothing to do one day and so he decided to make a law that would limit the amount of water that you use when you flush your toilet. He threw a dart at the wall and came up with the unique number of 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Now you may think that there is some significance to the number 1.6 gallons per flush and you may be right. In metric units it converts to 6 liters or 6 cubic decimeters. Maybe the congressman wanted us to return to our British roots. On the other hand 1.6 gallons also converts to 370 cubic inches or 0.214 cubic feet. Now there are a couple of significant numbers! Right?

No matter how the congressman came up with the number 1.6 gallons, may never be known, but it became law in the United States in 1992. Since then it has been a federal offense to install a toilet that uses more than 1.6 gallons per flush. The fine for breaking this law is a $2500 fine.

But never fear. If you examine one of these low flush toilets you will discover that the size of the tank has not changed. The new tanks still hold the same amount of water as the pre-1992 versions. The difference is in the flushing mechanism. It is specially designed to allow only 1.6 gallons to drain before the valve closes. The easiest way to keep the valve open longer is to hold the handle down until the tank is empty. There are also ways to modify the valve so that it stays open longer. Keep in mind that if you are risking arrest and a $2500 fine if you are caught using more than 1.6 gallons of water, so be very cautious when doing so.

Or you can simply wait for the tank to refill and flush the toilet again...and again...and again...