DOW to observe World Toilet Day with a toilet giveaway

Published on November 13, 2025

LĪHUʻE – The Kauaʻi Department of Water (DOW) is pleased to announce the observance of World Toilet Day on November 19. This day is recognized globally to raise awareness about the challenges and serious health consequences associated with poor sanitation in developing countries. 3.4 billion people lack access to safely managed sanitation, including 354 million who practice open defecation.

To raise awareness for the importance of good sanitary practices, the DOW will hold a grand prize drawing to win a WaterSense-labeled toilet. WaterSense is a program developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that promotes products and services that use less water while performing as well as or better than conventional models. The EPA uses third-party certification criteria to test and certify products before they earn the WaterSense label.    

In homes, toilets account for more water usage than any other fixture, representing about 30 percent of total household water consumption. Toilets manufactured before 1980 typically use an average of five gallons per flush (gpf), while WaterSense-labeled toilets use 1.28 gpf. This is 20 percent less than the current federal standard of 1.6 gpf. By replacing older toilet models with WaterSense-labeled ones, the average family could save 20 to 60 percent on water usage - thatʻs nearly 13,000 gallons of water savings per year for the average home.

Three WaterSense-labeled toilets will be awarded to three separate winners.  Entries will be accepted at the DOW business office lobby during normal business hours through the end of November, with a limit of one entry per household or entity.  The DOW is located at 4398 Pua Loke Street in Līhuʻe,  and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. The contest drawing will be held on December 1.

Who may enter the contest?

• Kauaʻi households, businesses, schools, and organizations on Kauaʻi
• Applicants must be 19 years or older.
• Applicants must arrange the pick-up and delivery of the prize.

For further information, please contact the DOW at 808-245-5461 or publicrelations@kauaiwater.org.

For World Toilet Day, enter to win a WaterSense-labeled toilet during the month of November 2025, offered by the DOW.

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