Kauaʻi County Water Department to observe World Toilet Day with toilet giveaway

Kauaʻi County Department of Water will join the global observance of World Toilet Day on Nov. 19, raising awareness about serious health consequences of poor sanitation by hosting a commode contest.

Three WaterSense-labeled toilets will be awarded to three separate winners, who will reap the benefits of a more environment friendly throne for their bathrooms. Contest drawing is Dec. 1.

Who can enter?

• Kauaʻi households, businesses, schools and organizations.
• Applicants must be 19 years of age or older.
• Winners must arrange the pick up and delivery of their new toilet.

Entries will be accepted through the end of November at the Kauaʻi County Water Department business office lobby — located at 4398 Pua Loke St. in Līhuʻe — during normal business hours.

There is a limit of one entry per household or entity.

The office lobby is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.

World Toilet Day is observed globally to raise awareness about the challenges and serious health consequences associated with poor sanitation in developing countries — 3.4 billion people lack access to safely managed sanitation, including 354 million who practice open defecation.

WaterSense was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to promote products and services that use less water while performing as well as or better than conventional models.

The Environmental Protection Agency uses third-party certification criteria to test and certify products before they earn the WaterSense label.

Toilets account for more water usage than any other household fixture, representing about 30% of total household water consumption.

Those manufactured before 1980 typically use an average of 5 gallons per flush, while WaterSense toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush. That is 20% less than the federal standard of 1.6 gallons per flow.

By replacing older toilet models with WaterSense models, the average family could save 20% to 60% on water usage — thatʻs nearly 13,000 gallons of water savings per year for the average home.

Contact Kauaʻi County Department of Water at 808-245-5461 or via email at publicrelations@kauaiwater.org with any questions or for additional information.