World Toilet Day - something to celebrate

It is either serendipity or excessively prescient planning that whilst the financial services and systems of the developed world are disappearing down the toilet that globally we will all be celebrating World Toilet Day on Wednesday.

The local representatives for this jamboree, engineered by the quaintly named World Toilet Organisation are the secretive DEFRA quango , The Consumer Council for Water (CCW). This was set up in 2005 , "to provide a strong voice for water and sewerage consumers in England and Wales" the Chairman is Dame Yve Buckland - £48,554 for a 3 day week.

According to them, in the UK we visit the loo or water closet as Lord Patel's nanny quaintly called it, 2,500 times a year and spend in a lifetime some 3 years perched on it.

The CCW have undertaken research (February 2008 - Educating the Public - Research into flushable products 62 page pdf ) which has revealed that ," the majority of consumers are unaware that many items, unlike toilet paper, don't break down and can get caught in pipes, building up a blockage over time".

Apparently we collectively use the toilet for the disposal of everything from Toilet cleansing cloths, face wipes, baby wipes, cotton wool, tampons, sanitary towels, condoms, nappies, razor blades and plasters, along with fats, oils and grease which can all lead to blocked drain horror syndrome - unsightly, smelly and expensive to repair.

The French who have long celebrated the public function of toilets are holding events throughout France sponsored by suppliers : Point WC, Evolance, Roca, Laufen, Dyson, Renova and Horay. Visit any of these venues and see how they have interpreted this very special day.

Should you be unaware of the laudable aims of the World Toilet Organization they include ;

World Toilet Organization (WTO) stands up for the 3 "WE (s)" in the theme "We Deserve Better".
1. Toilets deserve better social status. WTO has been striving to elevate the status of toilets to make them status symbols and objects of desire. WTO speaks on behalf of toilets "WE DESERVE BETTER SOCIAL STATUS".

2. Toilet cleaners. WTO aims to professionalize the sanitation and restroom industry and to upgrade the skill sets of the restoom cleaners. WTO speaks on behalf of the toilet cleaners "WE DESERVE BETTER PAY, RESPECT AND PROSPECTS".

3. WTO speaks on behalf of 2.5 billion toilet-less people, "WE DESERVE BETTER PLACES TO DEFECATE -- PROPER TOILETS".

Perhaps WE could also add that they should adopt measures to prevent our Governments sending our cash, curency, savings, pension plans, investments down the pan as well.