Propelair · Project

Ultra-Low Flush Toilet That Cuts Water Bills by 60% With 1.2-Year Payback

environmentPilotedTRL 7

propelairh2020.com

Every time you flush a regular toilet, you send about 6-9 litres of perfectly clean drinking water down the drain. Multiply that by 392 million toilets across Europe and you get 102 billion litres wasted daily — enough to drain Lake Geneva every 20 hours. Propelair built a toilet that uses just 1.5 litres per flush, cutting water use by 75%, not by using less water pressure but by using air to push waste through the pipes instead. The result: buildings save around 60% on their water bills with payback in just over a year.

By the numbers

75%

Reduction in toilet water consumption

1.5L

Water per flush (vs. 6-9L standard)

60%

Reduction in water bills

€344

Typical annual savings per unit

1.2 years

Payback period

2.8 billion litres

Daily water saved at 0.5% EU market penetration

102 billion litres

Clean water flushed away daily by EU toilets

392 million

Installed toilet base across the EU

200,000 cycles

Pump durability testing (WRAS certified)

€890,250

EU funding received

€1.98 billion

Annual value of water saved at 0.5% market penetration

The business problem

What needed solving

European buildings waste staggering amounts of clean drinking water through toilet flushing — 102 billion litres every day across 392 million installed toilets. Current low-flush models still need significant water volumes to work properly, and water costs keep rising as 70 million Europeans already live in water-stressed areas. Building operators need a solution that dramatically cuts water consumption without sacrificing flush performance or requiring expensive plumbing overhauls.

The solution

What was built

Propelair developed and demonstrated a 1.5-litre ultra-low flush toilet that uses air instead of water volume to clear waste. Key deliverables include close-coupled cistern installations at real test sites and a pump certified to WRAS standards at 200,000 flush cycles, proving commercial-grade durability.

Audience

Who needs this

Commercial property managers with large toilet estates and rising water billsHotel chains and hospitality groups targeting ESG water reduction goalsAirport and railway station operators with high-traffic washroom facilitiesFacility management companies serving office buildings and shopping centresWater utilities and municipalities in water-stressed Mediterranean regions

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Commercial Real Estate & Facility Management

enterprise

Target: Property management companies operating office buildings, shopping centres, or multi-tenant commercial properties

If you are a facility manager dealing with rising water utility costs across a portfolio of commercial buildings — this project developed a 1.5L flush toilet that reduces average toilet water consumption by 75%. With typical savings of €344 per unit per year and payback within 1.2 years, retrofitting high-traffic washrooms delivers immediate cost reduction at scale.

Hospitality & Hotels

mid-size

Target: Hotel chains and resort operators with high water consumption

If you are a hotel operator dealing with hundreds of flushes per room per week and growing pressure to meet sustainability targets — this project developed a toilet tested to 200,000 flush cycles that reduces water bills by 60%. For a 200-room hotel with multiple toilets per room, the annual water savings translate directly to bottom-line improvement with payback in 1.2 years.

Airports & Transport Hubs

enterprise

Target: Airport authorities and transport infrastructure operators with extremely high-traffic washroom facilities

If you are an airport or railway station operator dealing with thousands of daily toilet flushes and water costs that scale with passenger traffic — this project developed an ultra-low 1.5L flush toilet demonstrated in real test sites and pump-tested to 200,000 cycles. At €344 savings per unit per year, high-traffic installations offer rapid payback and measurable ESG impact.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does a Propelair toilet cost and what's the payback period?

The project objective states typical savings of €344 per unit per year, with payback within 1.2 years. The project specifically aimed to cost-reduce the product to overcome purchase price barriers, but the final retail price is not specified in the available data.

Can this work at industrial scale in large buildings?

Yes. The project included close-coupled cistern installations into real test sites, and the pump was tested to meet WRAS requirements at 200,000 cycles — equivalent to years of heavy commercial use. The product was designed for the 392 million installed toilet base across the EU.

What about IP and licensing — can we white-label or distribute this?

Propelair is a product developed by Phoenix Product Development Limited, a UK-based SME. The technology is proprietary. Based on available project data, commercial terms would need to be discussed directly with the company — SciTransfer can facilitate that introduction.

Does it meet European water and plumbing regulations?

The project specifically produced a test report showing the pump meets WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) test requirements at up to 200,000 cycles. WRAS approval is a key regulatory standard for water fittings in the UK and is widely recognised across Europe.

How much water does it actually save compared to current toilets?

The 1.5L flush reduces average toilet water consumption by 75% compared to standard toilets. At just 0.5% market penetration across Europe, the project estimates saving 1.04 billion cubic metres of water per year, worth over €1.98 billion.

Is this ready to install now or still in development?

The project ran from 2017 to 2021 and is now closed. It included real-world test site installations and WRAS-certified pump testing to 200,000 cycles. The project aimed to bring the product to market readiness, and the company has a dedicated project website at propelairh2020.com.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project by Phoenix Product Development Limited, a UK-based SME that received €890,250 through the SME Instrument Phase 2 — a highly competitive EU funding scheme reserved for high-growth-potential small businesses. The 100% industry consortium with zero academic partners signals this is a commercial product play, not a research exercise. The company was the sole coordinator, meaning all IP and commercial rights are concentrated in one entity, which simplifies licensing and partnership discussions. The project previously scored 13.66 and received a Seal of Excellence before being funded, indicating strong peer review validation.

How to reach the team

Phoenix Product Development Limited (UK) — SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to discuss commercial terms, distribution, or pilot installations.

Order a report on this consortium

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to trial ultra-low flush toilets in your buildings or discuss distribution rights? Contact SciTransfer — we connect businesses with EU-funded technology developers.

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