Niagara's Stealthy New Efficient Toilet

Niagara Conservation has developed what it claims is the world's only 0.8 gallons per flush toilet, the Stealth. The ultra high efficiency toilet -- recently profiled as Alex Wilson's Cool Product of the Week -- uses a patented hydraulic technology to deliver a quiet flush with the performance of a pressure-assist toilet. It's a water saver, too, using approximately 37% less water than a standard high efficiency toilet.

Here's how Stealth works: "By harnessing the energy created by water filling the tank, this toilet uses a patented air transfer system to pressurize the bowl’s trapway ... by simply pressing the flush button, the swift, powerful and quiet flush evacuates all waste in the bowl."

Wilson, founder of BuildingGreen, points out that using the toilet in non-residential applications, or where the horizontal run is longer than 20 feet, may present some issues. Potentially, there could be a "dry drain" situation where waste stops in plumbing pipes without having enough water to push it downstream.

Otherwise, Stealth is a WaterSense certified toilet, available in two models. The round front model carries a manufacturers suggested retail price of $310, while the elongated model is priced at $325.