Awareness raising and educated activities for effective water savings: a case study with dual flush toilets

Abstract

Dual flush technology contributes to the water savings issue by introducing 3 and 6 liter flush options in contrast to conventional toilets having a typical flush volume of 9 liters. The aim of this study is to assess the public awareness and the role of educated activities toward proper use of dual flushes. Within this context, surveys were conducted in a university library where dual flush toilets had been installed. The surveys have indicated that the awareness among the users about the proper use of dual flush was only 43% at the beginning but it increased from 43% to 85% over a period of 5 months of awareness raising and educated activities. The results emphasize the critical need for public awareness, education and participation to complement technical applications in accomplishing water savings.