Why is flushing a toilet with clean water from a municipal supply about as wasteful as flushing it with bottled water?

i think it is so due to the fact that the clean water from the municipal supply has under go purification process just as the bottle water.

To understand why flushing a toilet with clean water from a municipal supply is considered wasteful, we need to examine how toilets work and the resources involved in the process.

When you flush a toilet, water is used to push waste down the drain. In most cases, the water comes from a municipal supply, which is treated and made safe for consumption. However, this treated water is also used for non-potable purposes, such as flushing toilets, which can be considered inefficient or wasteful.

Here's how to find the answer for yourself:

1. Calculate the amount of water used for flushing:
- Look for the water consumption per flush of your specific toilet model. This information is often available in the toilet's product specifications or user manual.
- Multiply the water consumption per flush by the number of times you typically flush the toilet in a day.

2. Assess the impact of using clean water for flushing:
- Determine the volume of clean water consumed for flushing by multiplying the amount of water used per flush by the number of flushes.
- Convert the volume into gallons or liters for easier comparison.

3. Compare the impact of using clean water vs. bottled water:
- Research the amount of water used to produce a single bottle of water. This information can often be found on the label of the bottle or by searching the brand's website.
- Compare the volume of clean water used for flushing to the amount used to produce a bottle of water.

Considering the above calculations, you'll likely find that flushing a toilet with clean water from a municipal supply is wasteful for two main reasons: First, it uses a relatively large volume of clean, treated water that could be conserved for more essential purposes like drinking and cooking. Second, the energy and resources required to treat and distribute water through the municipal supply system entail their own environmental footprint.

By understanding and acknowledging these factors, alternative methods can be explored, such as implementing water-saving toilets or using recycled or rainwater for flushing purposes.