Long Beach : Low-Flow Toilets, Showers Required in New Buildings
An ordinance approved by the City Council this week requires the installation of low-flow toilets, urinals and shower heads in new construction and during remodeling jobs.
The requirement, which will go into effect in a month, is expected to save about 600,000 gallons of water a year at a time when a long-term drought is forcing conservation efforts throughout California.
“I think we’re in for some difficult times,” said Councilman Les Robbins, who introduced the ordinance. “This is a small step on our part.”
A similar state law requiring low-flow toilets in new buildings is scheduled to go into effect in early 1992. “All this does is move up the state ordinance by about a year,” noted Dan Davis, general manager of the Long Beach Water Department.
Whereas conventional toilets use about five gallons per flush, a low-flow toilet uses only about one gallon per flush.
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