Poor man's flush counter

[Shawn Clark]

Thought I would pass on this tip. As part of my water use reduction project I've wondered how often per day any given toilet is flushed. Numbers range from 6 to 10 times/day per person in various sources. Of course this varies depending on how much one is actually at home, among other things.

Trying to keep track of it manually was likely to miss a lot of flushes. So I started thinking about a way to make a flush counter and realized I had an ultra-cheap pedometer handy. I clipped it to the toilet lever arm and voila, a poor man's digital flush counter.

[fuzzy1]

Is it hidden so that certain household members who contribute a very high number of flushes don't see and disable it?

And what about the household political implications of monitoring this when someone suffers what the TV ads call 'bladder urgency'? Are you ready to sleep in the doghouse until that counter is removed?

[Shawn Clark]

Oh, it's hidden alright, inside the tank on the flush arm. Nobody ever looks there but Dad.

I was surprised that it worked. I wasn't sure if there would be enough of a jolt to register. Plus I thought I might have to wire/tape/rubber band it in place, but the clip worked just fine. I'm using a $5 pedometer from Target that I've had for a few years.

[TonyPSchaefer]

I"m glad you worked out the pedometer because my webcam idea probably wouldn't have worked anyway.

[Matt Herring]

Ever think about building your own gray water toilet system...plenty of online resources out there to show you how...and inexpensive too. Rather than monitor the number of flushes you can flush it cost free by using excess water from your shower.

[Shawn Clark]

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

I"m glad you worked out the pedometer because my webcam idea probably wouldn't have worked anyway.

Hadn't thought of that...it might have turned into some sort of twisted pay site without our knowledge.

Originally Posted by Matt Herring

Ever think about building your own gray water toilet system...plenty of online resources out there to show you how...and inexpensive too. Rather than monitor the number of flushes you can flush it cost free by using excess water from your shower.

I haven't really considered it. I'm only monitoring the number of flushes out of curiosity for my household water balance. I'm not doing it to say, "You've exceeded your flush quota for the day!" Some folks are willing to take conservation a lot farther than I am. I'm not even on board for the "if it is wee, let it be" approach. I worked too hard to get my little ones to start flushing the toilets...

I wouldn't want to put gray water through the toilet fill valves and my toilets really aren't designed for through the bowl flushing. I don't care for the idea of having soap scum, toothpaste, etc. in the toilet tank and bowl 24/7.

I would probably opt for using roof runoff collection and pumping first.

On the other hand, any other substantial reductions in my water use would probably have to adopt graywater reuse and the "only flush a deuce" approach (that and asparagus wee.)

[jayman]

Originally Posted by Shawn Clark

I had an ultra-cheap pedometer handy. I clipped it to the toilet lever arm and voila, a poor man's digital flush counter.

I bet you're really popular in your household ....

[ShellyT]

{I don't care for the idea of having soap scum, toothpaste, etc. in the toilet tank and bowl 24/7. }

You might be surprised how much that gets diluted by the rinse water. Sewer water, with all that it contains, just looks like dirty dishwater coming into a treatment plant.
I'd worry more about the pool chlorine used in some DIY set ups. Without being anal about the amount used or a carbon filter after the holding tank, it will eat away the toilet innards.

[hyo silver]

You could always put a few rocks in the tank to reduce the amount of water used.

Where I first lived, the water came by truck once a week. Having been taught NOT to flush, it took me years to unlearn that habit.

[patsparks]

My questions are,
1/ If you find your toilet is being flushed XX number of times what will you do to change that?
2/ If there is nothing going to be done with the data why collect it?

I guess you might look into a duel flush cistern or put a house brick in the tank to reduce the volume of water. I have 2 duel flush toilets and have adjusted the water level to the minimum. This can be done without spending any money. I'm not sure I get the American toilets, they hold so much water in the bowl, it's like yanks are a bad shot or something, and when they flush they do it so casually where an Aussie loo flushes with a whoosh!

I was going to make a video of an Aussie dunny flushing but I found one for your enjoyment.

YouTube- 2 Toilets At Glenelg Oval

YouTube- 2 Toilets At Glenelg Oval

Please note, it doesn't swirl!