Singapore—The kind of toilet bowl Singapore HDB homeowners can get may be wasteful, claims a citizen.
Under the Housing and Development Board’s (HDB) Home Improvement Programme, 30-year-old public housing estates may avail themselves of upgrades, including plumbing fixtures for toilets. However, while these fixtures are designed to save money, they may end up wasting water instead of conserving it.
According to one citizen whose piece was published in TODAY, the kind of toilet bowl Singapore HDB homeowners are offered under the Home Improvement Programme may not save water. The citizen has decided that he will not avail himself of the new eco-toilet on offer.
According to one citizen whose piece was published in TODAY, the kind of toilet bowl Singapore HDB homeowners are offered under the Home Improvement Programme may not save water. The citizen has decided not to avail himself of the new eco-toilet.
Chin Kee Thou wrote that five apartments qualify for the upgrade where he lives in Toa Payoh, including toilet refurbishing of “new pedestal pans, a wash basin with a tap, and other features.
The refurbishing of the Toa Payoh estate, which is 34 years old, is scheduled for the latter half of this year.
Instead of water going into the cistern, as happens with regular toilets, water used for washing is used to flush the toilet, which sounds like an ideal solution for saving water.
There are two kinds of toilet pedestal pans that residents are being offered. One is the regular toilet flush system. The other is an “eco-flush” toilet. This type is installed with a basin on top of it to wash one’s hands, so the water used in hand washing may be used for flushing since it goes to the tank to be used this way.
According to the citizen who wrote to Today, the “eco-flush” toilet bowl Singapore HDB residents can get under the Home Improvement Progress wastes water.
However, the writer argues why this is not necessarily so. For one thing, if no one uses the tap for hand washing, there is no stored water for flushing. This means that people will have to wash their hands despite not having the need to do so, which would result in wasted water.
Having two sinks may solve part of the problem, the author pointed out, but the majority of residents said that they would not have a separate sink just for washing hands if their toilets had basins on top of them, so that they would not need to clean two sinks along with the toilet bowl. Older residents, especially, may not have the energy to manage cleaning all three.
Another problem is soap residue blocking and clogging the flush system, which would require additional maintenance.
Furthermore, “In 1991, the Government introduced a water-conservation tax to encourage water conservation and deter excessive use. The eco toilet runs counter to this campaign, and I have decided against having it in my flat,” the author wrote. “The HDB should be mindful of water efficiency when offering such options to residents.”
Some netizens agreed with Chin Kee Thou, writing about their own experiences when the eco-toilets did not work as efficiently as expected.
But others pointed out that these kinds of toilets have long been in use in Japan, and that they actually are efficient and effective in saving water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are eco-flush toilets effective in saving water?
Eco-flush toilets have the potential to save water by utilizing the water used for handwashing to flush the toilet. However, their effectiveness depends on consistent usage of the handwashing feature to ensure a sufficient water supply for flushing. It is important for residents to be mindful of their water usage habits to maximize the water-saving benefits of these toilets.
2. What are the concerns associated with eco-flush toilets in Singapore?
Some concerns raised regarding eco-flush toilets in Singapore include the practicality of maintaining and cleaning both the basin on top of the toilet bowl and a separate sink. Additionally, if residents do not use the handwashing feature regularly, there may be insufficient stored water for flushing, resulting in wasted water. These factors should be considered when evaluating the suitability of eco-flush toilets for HDB homes.
3. Are there alternative water-saving solutions for HDB homeowners?
Yes, there are alternative water-saving solutions available for HDB homeowners. One such solution is the implementation of dual-flush toilet systems, which allow users to choose between a full flush and a reduced flush depending on the waste type. Dual-flush systems strike a balance between water conservation and user convenience. Additionally, exploring innovative toilet bowl designs and collaborating with experts can lead to the development of more sustainable options.
/ TISG
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