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Why World Toilet Day 2024 Matters – Even Down Under!
As plumbers, we know toilets are more than just fixtures. They’re essential to our health, comfort, and sanitation. World Toilet Day on November 19th isn’t just a quirky holiday; it’s a day with a big purpose: to highlight the importance of access to safe sanitation and remind us that millions worldwide lack basic toilet facilities.
Why Toilets Matter More Than We Think
We all know the frustration of a blocked toilet—but imagine not having one at all! For billions globally, the toilet is a luxury. Access to a proper toilet impacts health, prevents disease, and helps protect water resources. World Toilet Day, established by the United Nations, raises awareness about global sanitation challenges. Check out the UN’s World Toilet Day page here for more on why sanitation is critical to public health and the environment.
- Aussie Plumbing Perks: An Advantage We Often Overlook
Here in Coogee and across Australia, we might not think twice about plumbing, but that’s a testament to the professionals keeping things flowing smoothly (hello from The Lone Drainer!). While we’re fighting tree roots in drains and ensuring wastewater flows properly, billions worldwide contend with open defecation or unsafe toilets. - What Can We Do? Support, Awareness & Local Action
There are ways we can help, even locally. Each year, World Toilet Day inspires initiatives to improve sanitation globally and raise funds to help communities in need. In Australia, spreading awareness and supporting organizations like WaterAid can make a world of difference. If you’re interested in supporting sanitation access worldwide, consider learning more about organizations like WaterAid and their mission to bring safe toilets to communities that need them most.” - For Homeowners: Why Toilet Health Matters
A well-functioning toilet isn’t just convenient; it’s key to health and property value. Got a blocked drain? Roots wreaking havoc? There’s no better reminder than World Toilet Day to invest in regular plumbing checks (and maybe even Vaporooter treatments!).
Conclusion:
This World Toilet Day, let’s appreciate our loos! While we’re lucky in Coogee, billions aren’t as fortunate. Together, we can help flush away these inequalities, one toilet at a time.
Roll your toilet paper from the top
All of us use the bathroom. And occasionally we want to know what’s going on in other peoples bathrooms.
Bathrooms and toilets are our workplace, and the observations made from bathrooms often go unrecorded. But today, I reckon its time to share some of those observations.
A common theme is how home owners dispense their toilet rolls on the toilet roll holder. (Click here to read about the Australian patent on toilet roll holders.) Some pull their toilet paper from the back of the roll. While others pull from the top. So we carried out a little survey
Here are the top five reasons why people prefer toilet paper to roll from the top:
- Ease of Use: When the toilet paper is positioned with the loose end hanging over the top, it is easier to locate and grab the end of the roll. This makes it more convenient and efficient to tear off the desired amount of toilet paper without any hassle.
- Reduced Risk of Touching the Wall: Rolling the toilet paper from the top helps to minimize the chances of accidentally touching the wall behind it. This is especially important in public restrooms where hygiene is crucial, as touching the wall can transfer germs and bacteria.
- Neat Appearance: Rolling the toilet paper from the top provides a neater and more visually appealing look. The loose end of the roll is neatly presented, making it easier to grab and tear off without causing the roll to unravel or become messy.
- Prevents Unwanted Unraveling: Placing the loose end at the top prevents the roll from unintentionally unraveling. If the end hangs down the back of the roll, it can sometimes get caught on nearby objects or surfaces, causing the paper to unwind and waste.
- Intuitive Orientation: Rolling the toilet paper from the top is considered more intuitive for most people. When reaching for toilet paper, it is more natural to pull it down from the top rather than from behind the roll. This orientation aligns with our instinctive hand movements and provides a smoother user experience.
While your personal preferences may vary, these reasons highlight the practical and aesthetic advantages of rolling toilet paper from the top.
If this post has got you thinking about toilet paper, why not choose Who Gives a Crap for your next shipment. Who Gives a Crap donates half of their profits to developing countries that don’t have plumbing, sewers and the toilets that we take for granted.
Full Flush or Half. Which is used more?
It depends! On the context and the specific type of toilet. But think about your own use.
Remembering, not everyone on the planet has a flushing toilet and unbelievably, a full toilet flush is more water than most people in the world use every day.
In some places, toilets have a dual flush option, where the user can choose between a half flush and a full flush, depending on the waste being disposed of. The dual flush toilet cistern was invented by an Aussie, Bruce Thompson at Caroma industries in 1980 as a water saving function for the dry continent
Generally, the half flush is used more frequently than the full flush, as it is typically used for liquid waste and the full flush is used for solid waste. However, it can be varied by country, region or building regulations, as some places may require the use of a half flush for all waste to conserve water.
So I say, its the half flush that gets used the most. What do you think?
Eight reasons to drink more water.
Here in Coogee, Sydney Australia we are lucky to have a good quality water supply from our taps. As I write this it’s 12.30 pm on Monday March 6th 2023 and its 35 Deg. celsius outside expecting 37 Deg. Its damned hot and humid. We all know that we should Drink more water, and today is a perfect reason to do it.
Now here are eight more reasons to do it
- Hydration: Drinking enough water on any day, let alone today, is essential for staying hydrated, which helps maintain the balance of bodily fluids, regulate body temperature, and support every bodily functions.
- Improved physical performance: Staying hydrated can help improve physical performance by reducing fatigue and increasing our flagging energy levels.
- Weight management: Drinking water can help with weight management by promoting the feeling of fullness. It will help reducing calorie intake, and boosting my metabolism.
- Healthy skin: Drinking water helps keep my skin hydrated, which can improve the skins’ overall health and appearance.
- Kidney function: Drinking enough water is important for supporting healthy kidney function by helping to flush out waste and toxins from the body.
- Digestion: Drinking water can help support healthy digestion by softening the bowels and preventing constipation.
- Reduced risk of certain diseases: Staying hydrated by drinking enough water has been associated with a reduced risk of several diseases, including kidney stones, bladder cancer, and coronary heart disease.
- Improved cognitive function: Drinking enough water is important for optimal brain function, as dehydration can impair cognitive performance and cause headaches and fatigue.
If you have a water filter in your home or workplace, keep using it one glass at a time. If you would like to have a water filter fitted, and need guidance
Call us on 02 9664 4990
World Toilet Day 2018
November 19th 2018 is World Toilet Day.
With the population of the world now at approximately 7.7 billion people, many of us would be surprised to learn that over 4.5 billion people do not have a clean toilet or running water to wash their hands.
According to a UN report, a third of schools worldwide don’t have any clean toilet facilities and nearly 1 billion school children don’t have hand washing facilities.
It seems extraordinary that in a world where most people have a mobile telephone approximately 892 million people have to squat out in the open.
This, of course, has knock-on hygiene effects with the pollution of domestic drinking water being a direct contributor to many cases of sickness, disease and even death for those less fortunate than us.
Today, as you use your dual flush toilet in the privacy of your home, workplace or school, spare a thought for these people.
You may also consider buying Who Gives a Crap toilet paper. Who Gives a Crap donate 50% of their profits to help build toilets for those who have none.
Giving a Crap on World Toilet Day 2017
The Lone Drainer and Pronto in Sydney will pay tribute to a unique and special observance whose goal is to install a working toilet in emergent nations.
On November 19, The Lone Drainer and Pronto (TLDP), will participate in the World Toilet Day 2017 (WTD2017). This is a United Nations’ (UN) worldwide event that will highlight the lack of proper sanitation and safely-managed toilets; a problem affecting over 4.5 billion people in economically developing nations.
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The Joy of Toilets in Coogee
Exactly 12 months ago today the Mayor of Randwick Noel D’Souza, broke ground on the new Coogee Beach toilet block. I am happy to report that these new facilities were un-officially opened 360 days later on Friday September 1st 2017. The first day of spring.
And it was worth the wait!
The discomfort to beach regulars and the interruption of the foot traffic flow along the upper and lower promenade right in the middle of Coogee beach is a distant memory.
I’ve been watching the evolution of the site and my almost daily hop, skip and jump along the lower prom and the detour around the street level construction zone sensed that this simple toilet block would be another jewel in the Coogee crown. I was right!
The spring weather on Fathers Day saw people out in droves. They were happy to use the new facilities. I had to try ’em for myself. The plumbing is state of the art.
The hand wash facilities at the front of the change room with electronic sensor taps that spit water into the free form basins when they detect your hands in range, compliment the soap dispensers. The showers in this open public area are all push button. I tried one and had my shirt sleeve soaked by the instant arrival of fresh H2O from the water saving shower head.
Mums and Dads will be able to rinse off and have their kids do the same without having to go into the change rooms and toilets dedicated to both sexes.
I didn’t venture into the ladies but the men’s change room is great.
Features include 5 low maintenance stainless steel WCs with concealed water saving cisterns and an easy to maintain urinal about 5 metres long, 5 additional showers and plenty of clothes hooks and seating to get changed before and after swimming. The entire area can be easily washed down and the beautiful polished concrete floor and the brightly tiled walls will help keep the facility sparkling.
During my roaming through the freshly laid turf in the park above, I had wondered about the new concrete seating and the glass panels set into the ground there.
I’m pleased to say they are skylights for the change rooms below. Brilliant!
Well done Randwick City Council.
Poo News
Our readers are still the best source of fun, information, insights and images from the wonderful world of plumbing
I’ve heard plenty of explanations of the word Poo. I hadn’t heard this one.
Shower outdoors more often
With our hottest summer on record, many of us have been showering outdoors. It’s a perfect opportunity to water the garden and the lawn, stay cool ourselves and save water.
Some clients have us set up a permanent outdoor shower in the garden or near the swimming pool just to rinse off.
I reckon simple is best. Good old corrugated and canvas.
Our correspondent enjoying the Three Capes Track in beautiful Tasmania, also reports it was 13°C.