Water Efficiency: Bathrooms

Dual Flush Toilets & Waterless Urinal

All toilets in Sophia Gordon Hall are equipped with Sloan Dual-Flush Flushometer. Lifting the handle up initiates a reduced flush (1.1 gpf), eliminating liquid and paper waste, saving a 1/2-gallon of water (30%). Pushing the handle down initiates a full flush (1.6 gpf), eliminating solid waste and paper. The Dual-Flush handle also easily retrofits to most existing valves. Antimicrobial coating on handle protects against germs. All bathrooms have signs reminding students to use the reduced flush feature.

Sophia Gordon Hall has one waterless urinal in its public restroom. Waterless urinals work completely without water or flush valves. They are touch free and improve restroom sanitation and eliminate odors. Maintenance of waterless urinals is simple but different from conventional urinals. The urinal in Sophia Gordon Hall was installed as a pilot. Tufts will examine how well it works and evaluate the possibility to install waterless urinals in other locations.

Shower Heads and Faucets
All showerheads and faucets in Sophia Gordon Hall are low-flow — 2 gallons per minute, while a regular showerhead uses 3- 5 gallons per minute and high pressure showerheads up to 10 gallons per minute. This saves not just water but also energy, because less hot water is used.