In 1994, Congress mandated the installation of low-flow toilets that use only 1.6 gallons of water per flush, but too often users must flush two or three times to clear the bowl, rendering conservation efforts useless. Last October, Consumer Reports tested the flushing power of 28 toilets and found 12 of them - all from major manufacturers - to be lacking.

American Standard aims to do better with the Champion toilet, featuring "America’s Best Flushing System." It has no rubber flapper to corrode or stick and cause running, and users can’t tamper with the volume of water released per flush.

A patent-pending Flush Tower releases 1.6 gallons into the bowl through a 3-inch flush valve, which the company says is 50% bigger than the industry standard. Water and waste leave the bowl through a 2 3/8-inch siphon outlet, compared with the typical 1 1/2-inch trapway.

The Champion lists for $408 and includes a 10-year warranty on all parts and china.