Modern toilets often come equipped with dual-flush buttons, yet many people are unaware of their true purpose beyond simply flushing. These buttons are designed to conserve water. The larger button releases around 6–9 liters of water for solid waste, while the smaller button uses only 3–4.5 liters for liquid waste.
By choosing the appropriate flush, an average household can save up to 20,000 liters of water each year compared to traditional single-flush toilets. While dual-flush systems may have a higher initial installation cost, they ultimately reduce water bills and significantly benefit the environment.
The dual-flush concept was introduced by designer Victor Papanek in 1976 and was first put into practical use in Australia in 1980, where water conservation was already a priority.