Toilets aim to flush away Beijing drought (Reuters) Updated: 2006-06-07 17:14
A
visitor views the inside of an ecological and environmental friendly
mobile toilet bus, during the Saving Water Toilet Exhibition for the
Beijing Olympics in Beijing June 7, 2006. The exhibition showcased a range
of prototype urinals, bowls, and traditional Asian crouching platforms --
all aimed at having a more positive impact on the environment.
[Reuters] |
Beijing residents can do their bit to ease the city's severe water shortage
problem from the comfort of their toilet seat, according to an exhibition which
opened on Wednesday.
The Saving Water Toilet Exhibition for Beijing Olympics Gymnasium showcased a
range of prototype urinals, bowls, and traditional Asian crouching platforms
aimed at having a more positive impact on the environment.
Beijing is the driest major city in the world and a report last month said it
would face severe water shortages during the 2008 Olympics if current levels of
consumption were maintained.
A woman
alights from an ecological and environmental friendly mobile toilet bus,
during the Saving Water Toilet Exhibition for the Beijing Olympics in
Beijing June 7, 2006. [Reuters] |
"This toilet saves water," said Zheng Qingzhan, manager of Kuge bathroomware.
"Most modern toilets use six litres of water per flush, while this uses a
maximum of 3.8 litres and as little as 2.6 litres."
Beijing Olympic organisers have made "Green Olympics" one of their core
themes and Zheng's colleague Zhan Chunguo expected environmentaly friendly
toilets to play their part.
"It's important for the Olympics because the athletes and coaches from around
the world will see that China is serious in trying to save water and will spread
the word," he said.
Also on display was a toilet in which 500 litres of water could be recycled
for use for up to six months and facilities that use bacteria to break down the
waste into gas and clean water.
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