Eli5: Why are most public toilets plumbed directly to the water supply but home toilets have the tank?

Question

Eli5: Why are most public toilets plumbed directly to the water supply but home toilets have the tank?

In: 4741

Answer 1

Having no tank means you have to rely on a high water pressure for it to flush properly. Not many homes have the required mains pressure, and high mains pressure is bad for your appliances, taps, washing machines, water heaters, etc anyway, so using a tank makes up for the lower pressure. It’s also much quieter so flushing the toilet won’t wake up your neighbors (a tankless toilet makes a horrible flushing sound).

And for public toilets, simplicity and maintenance is a priority, and tanks are more prone to breaking, leaking or being tampered with. And with no sensitive appliances, high mains pressure is not an issue.