Reservoir-less Toilets
Miami Beach, United States

Reservoir-less toilet in my Miami Beach hotel bathroom

I've come across a handful of western toilets throughout SE Asia and Latin America that don't have water reservoirs (tanks) attached to them. Instead, these units tap directly into the water pipes running throughout the building.

The benefit of this design is immediately obvious: Fewer moving parts to break down (such as leaking gaskets), strong flushes that last as long as you hold the handle down, and no waiting period for a second flush.

Toilet reservoir components

I don't understand why we're still buying and building toilets that use an antiquated/complex water reservoir design. The functionality can be dressed up for the home, but this is the way all western toilets should be installed, not just those limited to public restrooms.

When's the last time you saw a toilet with a reservoir in an airport? The (aesthetically lackluster) unit in this hotel room even has a handle that briefly simulates the functionality of a reservoir by flushing for two or three seconds after a quick pull. Reservoir-less toilets are cheaper, faster, more reliable, and probably waste less water. So, what gives?