TOILET WARS

The homeowner (we'll call him Bob) was a good, law-abiding citizen. But he had a big mess on his hands--or rather, all over his floor. According to federal regulations that took effect a few years ago, Bob had to install a "low flow" toilet in the New York City bathroom he was remodeling. It was a fine idea, in theory. A low-flow toilet cuts down on water bills and helps save the environment by reducing the amount of water in each flush. But the first time Bob used his, the toilet's flushing action was scarcely strong enough to swallow a wadded-up...