Hippo the Water Saver - Editorial

It is widely predicted that droughts will become a more frequent event, so it is not surprising that householders and many UK organisations, water companies and the commercial sector have identified the toilet cistern as a significant target for the reduction of water consumption. In the home the toilet cistern accounts for over 30 per cent of water consumption.

Although research continues on the use of smaller volume cisterns (the current standard is 6 litres), for those wishing to conserve water and reduce their bills now, the high cost of cistern replacement could be prohibitive within an expedient timescale.

However, help is at hand in the form of Hippo the Water Saver, which is the simple, proven and low cost water saving device to help conserve water in toilet cisterns. Every time a toilet is flushed the Hippo saves approximately 3 litres of water. Many toilets will flush just as effectively with less water. By putting Hippo's into your cisterns you can reduce the amount flushed away and for those on a metered supply this means a significant and sustained saving on water and your water bills.

The Hippo also has a small hole which acts as a relief valve allowing slow circulation to prevent stagnation and evaporation.

Install a Hippo Water Saver in your cistern and help mitigate the effects of climate change which are now predicted to occur. For further information www.hippo-the-watersaver.co.uk

Hippo FAQs

Save Water with a Hippo!

What is a Hippo?

Hippo is made from durable heavy gauge Polyethylene, which opens up, origami style, into an open ended box shape when installed. The Hippo happily sits in the water underneath the large cistern float. When the toilet is flushed, the water confined within the Hippo is the volume saved. The Hippo also has a small hole which acts as a relief valve allowing slow circulation of water to prevent stagnation and evaporation.

Can I put Hippos into my cisterns?

If your toilet was installed before 1991 it will be 9 litres in volume, or more. This type of toilet will work well with a Hippo fitted and will reduce the flush volume by up to 3 litres.

If your toilet was installed between 1992 to 2001, it will be 7.5 litres in volume. This type of toilet will also work well with a Hippo fitted and will reduce the flush volume by up to 2.5 litres.

If your toilet was installed after 2001, it will be 6 litres in volume (the current standard) and it should not be reduced further with any type of device whatsoever.

If you are still unsure if your toilet is suitable for the installation of a Hippo, we suggest the following, but only as a guide:

" If the toilet flush operates via a handle, lever or chain, it will almost certainly be suitable for the installation of a Hippo. If it operates via a push button, it will most likely not be suitable.

" If your toilet is fitted to a macerator (a motorised device for discharging the waste into small bore waste pipes) or if the toilet is dual flush, the cistern volume should not be reduced with any type of device whatsoever.

" We are aware that, in a small number of instances, a reduced flush performance may be experienced. A key feature of the Hippo is that it can be removed and adjusted in seconds, thus returning the toilet to full performance, whilst still providing a desirable level of saving.

Do Hippos have a track record?

Since 1997 we have sold 10 million Hippos with a combined daily water saving equivalent to 27 Olympic size swimming pools!

Are Hippos effective in the workplace?

33% of your precious water supply is unnecesarily flushed down the toilet. In the workplace each employee uses the toilet about 3 times each day and over a working year this amounts to 6000 litres (6 cubic metres) of water.

What are the financial benefits?

Whether Hippos are being bought for your home or for your workplace, the pay back period on your initial investment is between 8 - 12 weeks. Thereafter you will enjoy a regular cost saving on your bills. Hippos installed in the average home provide a saving on your metered bills of approximately £20 (RM 130 - subject to the bill charges) per annum. In the workplace the typical cost saving will be £3 (RM 19.5) per employee/annum - that's a £3000 ( RM 19,500) saving if you have 1000 employees!!

Where are Hippo's manufactured?

We are pleased to say that we continue to manufacture all Hippo Water Savers at a factory located in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK.

How long will my Hippo last?

Indefinitely - Hippos are manufactured from Polyethylene and, when immersed in the confines of the toilet cistern, they are designed to last a lifetime.