
Decisions
How Decisions Can Impact the Amount of Water Lost Due to Toilet Problems
The decision to be Reactive or Proactive in your thinking and approach to unexpected high water bills has a direct impact on the amount of water lost due to water-wasting problems (overflows, running toilets, leaking flappers, faulty fill valves, etc.) and subsequently, the dollars spent on these problems.
Our research over the past twenty plus years has shown there are five primary factors that lead to these problems. Three of the factors involve the mechanical operation of the toilet and are the most controllable factors by the Property Manager, while two of the factors are environmental. The Mechanical Factors are: 1) Maintenance schedule for replacing flappers, fill valves, and other internal mechanicals, 2) the type and quality of replacement flappers, and 3) the type and quality of replacement fill valves. The Environmental Factors are: 1) Water Quality, or the relative “hardness” of the water and 2) Geographic Location, or setting of the property such as urban, rural, etc.
Below is one example of the choice between being reactive or proactive in handling the mechanical factors by either simply responding with minimal actions by the Property Manager or using a detection system, such as the LeakAlertor, to provide early warning of toilet problems.
Reactive Thinking A high water bill is received; Property Manager makes the decision to implement minimal repairs using inexpensive replacement parts. Mechanical Factors:
Results:
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Proactive Thinking Implementation of LeakAlertor™ technology to provide early detection and notification of problems. Mechanical Factors:
Results:
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Basis of Assumptions for both Scenarios:
- This is a water loss comparison only, cost of replacement parts, maintenance labor and other intangibles are not included.
- 150 toilets on the property.
- Per Unit Cost of Water calculated at the National Average of $13.48 per 1,000 Gallons.
- Environmental Factors: Urban, Very Hard water.
- Water loss is estimated using the Water Loss Calculator below.
Results
Water Loss is calculated based on (Water Loss Calculator inputs set to the lowest Factors) minus (Projected Savings Water Loss) over one month. Projected Savings Water Loss (PSWL) Basis of Assumptions: Leaking Flapper (1¼ % Leaking Toilets with 25 GPD Loss), Wide-Open Flapper (.01% Running with Scenario GPM). The PSWL variables equal ½ of the lowest respective input variable. The variables which determine GPM are typically constant therefore, the GPM remains constant in the Projected Savings. Maximum water, and therefore dollar, savings occur only if indicated repairs are completed in a timely fashion (within minutes of a running toilet, or within a day or two for a leaking flapper). Delays in making repairs can greatly reduce projected use.
Calculating the Cost
The issue is not whether toilets leak, run, or overflow, because they all eventually do, but rather your response to the underlying mechanical and environmental factors which led to the problems. The key is choosing to be either reactive or proactive, knowing there is a cost to either choice. Which cost are you willing to pay?
Use the calculators below to determine your potential water loss, the financial cost of that water, and the break-even point for implementing a LeakAlertor solution.
Quick Calculation
If my water loss is Low|Medium|High, then the potential projected Water Loss for 100 toilets would be between
Quick Calculation
Low
Basis of Assumption (Water Loss):
Factor Selections: Annual/OEM/Float Cup/Soft/Urban
Suggested Inputs: Percentage Leaking Flappers 2-2.25%, Gallons per Day 10-25, Running Toilet Percentage 0.10-0.10%, Gallons per Minute 2.0-2.0
Basis of Assumption (Monthly Cost):
Unit of Measure: “HCF”
Cost per Billing Unit: National Average $10.8
Medium
Basis of Assumption (Water Loss):
Factor Selections: Every Five Years/Universal/Foreign/Moderately Hard/Suburban
Suggested Inputs: Percentage Leaking Flappers 7.6-10.0%, Gallons per Day 76-100, Running Toilet Percentage 0.76-1.0%, Gallons per Minute 3.5-3.5
Basis of Assumption (Monthly Cost):
Unit of Measure: “HCF”
Cost per Billing Unit: National Average $10.8
High
Basis of Assumption (Water Loss):
Factor Selections: As Needed/Adjustable/Ball Cock/Very Hard/Rural
Suggested Inputs: Percentage Leaking Flappers 15.1-17.5%, Gallons per Day 151-175, Running Toilet Percentage 1.51-1.75%, Gallons per Minute 4.5-4.5
Basis of Assumption (Monthly Cost):
Unit of Measure: “HCF”
Cost per Billing Unit: National Average $10.8
Personalized Calculations
Want to determine how your choices impact your water use? Read through the following factors, then select the choice most closely aligned to your current situation. Based on your responses we’ll calculate the potential water loss for your situation. Change your assumptions to see how they impact the amount of water loss.
Factors
How often flappers and fill valves are changed plays a major role in determining how much and how long water will be wasted. It’s necessary to balance the cost of replacement, including materials, maintenance time, and tenant/guest inconvenience, against an increasing likelihood of flapper/ fill valve degradation leading to undetected water loss. Your maintenance schedule, if you even have one, greatly influences the amount of water lost over an entire property. A lack of routine maintenance allows sediments and other materials to build-up on the flappers and damage or impair fill valve operation. Not changing either leads to the greatest waste as an ever-increasing number of toilets develop problems as aging flappers will warp, crack and become more prone to “sticking” and fill valves become more prone to sticking open, or leaking. Changing all parts at the same time presents budgetary and logistical problems.
Optimal Solution: Change only those parts which exhibit problems, at the onset of the problem(s).
Range of Assumptions: (click the one that is closest to your schedule)
Flappers are prone to two faults, leaking (phantom flush/equilibrium) and sticking wide-open (aka running toilets). Flappers operate best when made by the original manufacturer or a third-party Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) as these OEM parts are manufactured to meet stricter specifications, and thereby create a tighter seal with the flush valve. Universal flappers may reduce initial costs, but are more prone to leaks and sticking wide-open because they are designed to operate across a wide range of flush valves, overflow tubes, etc. Adjustable flappers allow property managers to adjust the volume of water used in a flush. On one hand they potentially reduce the amount of water used per flush; but, unless the correct adjustment has already been determined, significant maintenance time could be spent in determining the optimal adjustment and fluctuates with each individual toilet. Flappers can stick wide-open, without the user being aware, for several reasons.
Leaking Flapper (Percentage)

Optimal Solution: Have a methodology in place to identify flappers which are prone to leaking and sticking wide-open.
Range of Assumptions:
Like flappers, buying the optimal fill valve has an extremely high influence on the amount of water used, maintence issues, and potential water wasting problems. When replacing a fill valve, a premium quality design and manufacturing process are key to making the best selection, such as the Lavelle or Fluid Master 400 Series or fill valves. These fill valves tend to have the fewest problems, though, as they age the diaphragms are prone to wear. Inexpensive, non-premium fill valves, usually imported, not US made, have a greater incidence of failure due to poor manufacturing standards. These valves tend to leak sooner, more frequently and to a greater extent than premium fill valves. Toilets still using a ball cock fill valve are inefficient, prone to malfunction and generally should be replaced.
Optimal Solution: Use a Fluidmaster 400, or similar quality, fill valve.
Range of Assumptions:
Water Quality/Geology
†Equilibrium is a condition in which the flapper is leaking water through the flush valve at the same rate as a faulty fill valve is leaking water into the tank. Because there is no corresponding rise/fall action of the water height -visual indication- and no actuation of the fill valve-audible indication-, equilibrium is extremely difficult to be detected by a user.
‡US Geological Survey.
Water quality, the amount of calcium and/or magnesium as well as the presence of sediments in the water, influences how quickly parts within the tank degrade. The higher the presence of these materials the more quickly flappers warp, crack, and otherwise fail. Likewise, the diaphragms inside the fill valve can be damaged, causing them to leak, become stuck open or, when in combination with a leaking flapper, go into equilibrium. In addition, poor quality water also allows for build-up of sediments on the flapper, flush valve and other components inside the toilet tank. The location of your property within the US determines the quality of your water, from Very Hard to Soft. Several maps are available to help determine the degree of hardness water your property is likely using
.
Optimal Solution: If your property is located where the water is Hard/Very Hard use of a water softener can improve the water quality.
Range of Assumptions:
As with everything related to real estate, it all comes down to location, and even when thinking about what influences water loss problems, location can matter. If your property is in an urban setting, consistent water pressure, overall quality of the service lines, even access to a continuous flow of water are all improved. These factors present less stress on overall toilet operation. Less stress equals more efficiency and less wear and tear on components. In the event a property is sourcing its water from a well, external (and at times uncontrollable) factors can cause undue stresses on the water system including, drought, extreme rainfall/flooding, intrusion of chemicals into the water table, etc. Also, any condition which artificially decreases the amount of water available even temporarily, such as a high percentage of toilets continuously running, can have an adverse effect on the operation of a toilet in general, and again could lead to premature wear or damage to components.
Optimal Solution: n/a
Range of Assumptions:
Suggested Inputs
Based on your selections above we recommend the following inputs to calculate a “high” and “low” potential range of water loss. These are suggestions only and you are free to choose your own inputs. Changing your inputs in the Factors section above will change the recommended inputs below.
Percentage of Leaking Flappers![]() |
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Gallons per Day (GPD)![]() |
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Running Toilet Percentage![]() |
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Gallons per Minute (GPM)![]() |
Leaking Flapper (Percentage)
Input the percentage of flappers which are leaking at the property.
Percentage Leaking | ||
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0% | Not Leaking | |
2.5% | Low Leak Rate | |
5% | ||
7.5% | ||
10% | Moderate Leak Rate | |
12.5% | ||
15% | ||
17.5% | Major Leak Rate | |
20% |
EPA estimates state, at any given time about 20% of all toilets have a leaking flapper and, that a toilet could leak up to 200 GPD.
Leaking Flapper (GPD)
Input the average amount of water lost in Gallons per Day (GPD).
Water Lost in Gallons Per Day (GPD) | ||
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0 GPD | Not Leaking | |
25 GPD | Minor Leak | |
50 GPD | ||
75 GPD | ||
100 GPD | Medium Leak | |
125 GPD | ||
150 GPD | ||
175 GPD | Major Leak | |
200 GPD |
The Alliance for Water Efficiency states, 20-35% of tank-based toilets leak to some degree.
Wide-Open Flapper (Running Toilet Percentage)
Input the percentage of toilets which are constantly running†.
Wide-Open Flapper Percentage Running | ||
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0.00% | No Wide-Open Flappers in entire system | |
0.10% | Low Percentage of Toilets | |
0.25% | ||
0.50% | ||
0.75% | ||
1.00% | Average Percentage of Toilets | |
1.25% | ||
1.75% | High Percentage of Toilets | |
2.00% |
†While a given single toilet may or may not be running with a wide-open flapper, in any large system of toilets, there is likely a percentage of toilets which are running. Based on our studies we make the assumption that on average .04% of toilets (.0004) are running at any time within the system.
Incidents of an undetected running toilet, also referred to as a wide-open flapper (w-of) are the primary cause of wasted water at a property, and a corresponding increase in the water bill.
Wide-Open Flapper (GPM)
Input the average Gallons Per Minute (GPM) Loss Rate‡.
GPM Lost | ||
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0 GPM | No Loss | |
2 GPM | Low Water Loss Rate | |
2.5 GPM | ||
3 GPM | ||
3.5 GPM | Average Water Loss Rate | |
4 GPM | ||
4.5 GPM | High Water Loss Rate | |
5 GPM |
‡When a toilet is running, water lost is measured in Gallons Per Minute (GPM). The amount of loss is a function of a number of variables including water pressure (average of 60 PSI), variances in tank size, fill valve operation, and supply line size.
Incidents of an undetected running toilet, also referred to as a wide-open flapper (w-of) are the primary cause of wasted water at a property, and a corresponding increase in the water bill.
The Calculator (Potential Monthly Water Loss)
Click here to enter suggested inputs, or enter your inputs in the fields below. Then hit calculate.
Input Range | ||||
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Percentage of Leaking Flappers | 0-25% | |||
Gallons per Day (GPD) | 0-250 | |||
Running Toilet Percentage | 0.1-2.0% | |||
Gallons per Minute (GPM) | 0-5 | |||
Number of Toilets ![]() |
1-1000 |
Number of Toilets
Input the number of tank-based toilets (not flushometers) located at the property.
User-Defined Field:
Enter any number from 1-1000
Include toilets which are located in “public” areas (such as pool-side, recreation center, etc.).
The Calculator (Potential Monthly Cost in Dollars)
Enter your inputs in the fields below.
Unit of Measure ![]() |
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Cost per Billing Unit ![]() |
$ |
Unit of Measure
Input the UOM used by your water agency (if known).
(HCF) Hundred Cubic Feet | 1 HCF = 748 gallons of water | |
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(1000 G) 1000 Gallons | 1 1000 G = 1000 gallons of waters. (DEFAULT) | |
(100 G) 100 Gallons | 1 100G = 100 gallons of water. |
A water agency converts total gallons of water into “billable units” by dividing the total gallons of water by the Unit of Measurement (UOM). Typically the water agency will round down to the nearest whole billable unit, with the remaining (unbilled gallons) rolling over to the next month.
Cost per Billing Unit
Input the Combinded Per Unit Usage Rate.
Enter your Combined Water Cost Per Unit:
- If you have your water and wastewater bill(s), calculate your combined cost* and enter the amount.
- If you do not have your bill, go to the MSA Data Tab;
- select the Nation Average (Default)
- or, locate your nearest MSA and select the corresponding cost. The list is organized alphabetically by State/MSA.
*Total water cost is equal to the (per unit usage rate of water delivered to the property) PLUS the (per unit usage rate of wastewater removed from the property). It does not include any flat monthly service charge, taxes, surcharges, special fees, etc. The calculator does not take into account “tiered” or seasonal billing rates.
Break-Even Point (In Months)
Choose your solution
Based on your responses above, and assuming you take corrective action for indicated repairs in a timely fashion ⃰, the projected break-even point for your project would be approximately ⃰ ⃰
⃰ Within a few minutes for a running toilet, or within one to two days for replacing a leaking flapper/faulty fill valve.
⃰ ⃰ Based on retail cost for LeakAlertor 6000 of $32.75. Current prospective cost for LeakAlertor Pro is $50 per unit (node) plus $200 for the gateway plus a monthly subscription cost of $1.30 per unit.
Contact Ed Whartnaby or Ernie Howard for further information or quantity pricing.