Iconic Inventions for Bathroom and Toilet

Today's plumbing is focused on allowing consumers to save water while not experiencing discomfort. To achieve this, water-saving technologies are being implemented in faucets, showerheads, and toilets. One handle movement of a faucet sets the water temperature and flow rate, changing the jet pressure without altering the temperature.

Design: Jacob DelafonAeration

Almost every modern faucet is equipped with an aerator — a device built into the spout. Air is mixed into the water stream from the tap — this 'trick' saves up to 15% of water.

At the same time, flow restriction is imperceptible; on the contrary, the jet becomes fuller, foamy, and more pleasant to the body.

Flow Restrictor

Water flow can be restricted in several ways. For example, using an elastic ring or membrane built into the aerator: they reduce water consumption to five liters per minute.

Another method is a faucet with two handle positions. Opening the handle to the first position — water flows in an economical mode, opening it fully with effort — and the faucet switches from economical to maximum flow mode. Manufacturers name this technology differently, but its goal is always the same — water savings.

Touchless Controller

The strictest water flow controller is a touchless faucet. Its body is equipped with a motion sensor: when you bring your hands near, the water starts flowing.

A magnetic valve either blocks or lets out mixed water, temperature of which is set in advance using a lever on the body or an adjustment screw built into the faucet.

Temperature Regulator

Such faucets reduce hot water consumption by 10–15%. Also, with these faucets, you can never get burned: the faucet will never let out hot water without mixing it with cold water first.

There are models with 'cold' opening, in which only cold water flows out first. To get warm or hot water, you need to turn the handle to the left. Turning the handle to the right is blocked.

Eco-Friendly Shower Solutions

Manufacturers of ceiling and handheld showerheads use the same water-saving technologies as in faucets: aeration, integration of flow regulators into the showerhead or hose.

For example, the Katalyst Jacob Delafon showerhead with a diameter of 250 mm only needs ten liters per minute to function fully — no weak pressure.

Another device for economical water usage is the eco-jet. A special mechanism in the showerhead blocks part of the water supply channels. As a result, the flow volume decreases by 50%.

Design: Jacob DelafonWater-Saving Toilets

The average toilet uses six liters of water for one flush, and yet even a small family flushes the toilet 12–17 times in a day.

The current standard in the European Union is 6/3. What does that mean? Six liters of water are intended for the main flush in the tank and three liters — for a partial flush. New innovations from leading manufacturers break stereotypes: toilets with a standard of 4.5/3 and even 4/2! The flush quality is the same as with 6/3, but far less water is used.

W+W is a water-saving solution that combines a sink and toilet

Waterless toilet design is also a way to save water, since cleaning the bowl requires only a partial flush.

Also, it is easier to keep such toilets clean: water is supplied under high pressure and efficiently cleans the smooth bowl without any hidden cavities.

Another innovation in waterless models is the directed water flow, which washes the toilet all around the perimeter, and the water does not splash outside the area.

Design: Jacob Delafon

Eco-Friendly Washbasins

In the market, you can find washbasins made from recycled materials. For example, a washbasin made from cork wood is produced through thermal forming of cork crumbs.

Eco-friendly washbasins made from recycled rubber, which is melted and rolled into sheets. The basin adapts to the water jet, taking various shapes. When the tap is closed, it becomes a flat surface.

Another eco-friendly and unusual material for washbasins is concrete, more precisely, more 'advanced' versions of it — microconcrete or microcement.

Cement is a chemically neutral material, provides strength to the structure and is easy to use. In addition, washbasins made from concrete or cement can be easily painted in any color by adding pigment to the mixture at the production stage.

What's Next?

In 2018, at a trade show in China, Bill Gates presented an innovative toilet that doesn't require water: it has no drainage system and does not connect to a sewer. Instead, all waste will be processed by special chemicals into useful fertilizer.

Millionaire promises that the invention will be released on the market in the near future.