I'm in Japan currently (since July), where I think these combined sink/toilets were invented. Some people think it was to save water, however it definitely wasn't... every single toilet I've used here so far (including brand new ones, and new ones inside the University's environmental faculties) must use at least 20L per flush, and there is no half flush setting. The main reason for them here is as a space saver in tiny apartments.
I agree that they can be unhygienic. I feel pretty gross using one whenever I go to the toilet. Especially as you have to lean over the toilet...it kind of feels weird. Another problem, is that no matter how careful I am, washing my hands in the above-toilet-basin, I always seem to splash a few drops of water from washing my hands somewhere on the toilet below. Not really ideal. At least with a decent hand washing bowl and a well chosen tap, you can contain most of that mess. Pretty hard with a slim little confined toilet sink.
Funnily enough, every time I've used one, there has also been a seperate hand washing basin. Seems I'm not the only person here who washes their hands seperately afterwards (I do it in addition. The above sink think I just use as a quick first rinse).
I fully agree on the idea of re-using water for toilet flushing. And the sink in the bathroom is an obvious place to do so. However I think its best to seperate the two by a small distance. Surely its not hard to have a cistern with a seperate chamber to store greywater directly from the hand basin to wash. Though with modern low flow aerated taps, you don't use much water for washing your hands, so its not always big dent on the toilet flushing.
Posted Monday 4 Nov 2013 @ 3:06:21 am from IP
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