Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Environment Committee |
HB 2414
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning water conservation appliances.
Sponsors: Representatives Fitzgibbon, Farrell, Senn, Ryu and Pollet.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 1/24/14
Staff: Megan Mulvihill (786-7291) and Jacob Lipson (786-7196).
Background:
Types of Toilets
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), toilets account for 30 percent of an average home's indoor water use. Federal and state law requires all toilets manufactured and sold in the U.S. to use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf). Most residential units have a toilet that uses a tank to store water for each flush. Commercial, industrial, and institutional units often use flushometer-valve toilets which have a pressurized water supply with a valve to regulate water between each flush. Dual flush toilets have two flushing options which use different levels of water to handle liquid and solid wastes differently.
Toilet Standards
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), a non-profit membership organization, develops and establishes standards for a range of mechanical devices. These standards are instructional guidelines for testing and marketing requirements used by manufacturers, designers, operators, or users. Standards become codes when they are adopted by a governmental body and enforceable by law.
Summary of Bill:
By January 1, 2016, all toilets offered for sale, sold, and distributed in the state must be high efficiency toilets except for institutional and commercial toilets, toilets in day care facilities, and toilets used in bariatric applications. High efficiency toilets permitted are those that meet the performance, testing, and labeling requirements of the ASME and the Canadian Standards Association with an average 1.28 gpf. This can include either dual flushing toilets or single flush toilets.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.