Iconic Inventions for Bathroom and Toilet

Today's plumbing is focused on allowing consumers to save water without compromising comfort. To achieve this, water-saving technologies are being incorporated into mixers, showerheads, and toilets. One movement of the mixer handle sets the water temperature and flow rate, changing the jet pressure without altering the temperature.

Design: Jacob DelafonAeration

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

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

Flow Restrictor

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

Another method is a mixer with two handle positions. Opening the handle to the first position results in water flowing in an economical mode; opening it fully with more force switches the mixer to maximum flow mode. Manufacturers call this technology differently, but its purpose is always the same — water conservation.

Touchless Controller

The strictest water flow controller is a touchless mixer. Its housing has a motion sensor: when you bring your hands near, the water starts flowing.

A magnetic valve either shuts off or lets out already mixed water, the temperature of which is set beforehand using a lever on the housing or an adjustment screw built into the mixer.

Temperature Regulator

Such mixers reduce hot water consumption by 10–15%. They also make it impossible to get burned: the mixer will never let out hot water without mixing it with cold water first.

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

Water-Saving Shower Solutions

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

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

Another device for economical water use is the eco-jet. A special mechanism in the showerhead blocks part of the water channels, reducing the flow volume by 50%.

Design: Jacob DelafonWater-Saving Toilets

The average toilet uses six liters of water per flush, and 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 this 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: a toilet with the standard of 4.5/3 or even 4/2 has been developed! The flushing quality is the same as with 6/3, but much less water is used.

W+W is a water-saving solution combining a sink and toilet

Waterless design toilets are also a way to save water, as only a partial flush is needed to clean the bowl.

Also, maintaining these toilets in cleanliness is easier: water is delivered under high pressure and effectively cleans the smooth bowl without any hidden cavities.

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

Design: Jacob Delafon

Eco-Friendly Sinks

In stores, you can find sinks made from recycled materials. For example, a sink made from cork wood is created through thermal forming of cork granules.

There are sinks made from recycled rubber, which is melted and rolled into sheets. The sink adapts to the water jet, taking various shapes. When the tap is closed, it becomes a flat surface.

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

Cement is a chemically neutral material that adds strength to the structure and is easy to use. Additionally, a sink made of concrete or cement can be easily painted in any color by adding pigment to the mixture during production.

What's Next?

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

Millionaire promises that this invention will soon be released to the market.