[stephinpdx]

When we were in Hong Kong house hunting, we noticed that the water in the toilets are blue. We got two different answers as to why this is: a) it's recycled sewage water and b) it's sea water. I understand that there are two systems for water; one for sinks and another for toilets but I'm wondering what kind of water is in the toilets exactly and why it's blue. Anyone know the real answer?

By the way, I ask because we've trained our cats to use the toilet instead of a stinky litter box and they occasionally will play with the water. I don't want them getting sick from it.

thanks!

[berryplucker]

The flushing water is sea water. If it was blue then either in the toilet cistern or (conceivably) at the building level, someone is inserting some sort of cleaner / freshener. Even without that I wouldn't recommend you or your cats drinking it!

[Shaddock]

???

That's of course because of the cleaning agent being inserted in the tank. It smells nicer, no?

If you think it's blue BECAUSE it is sea water... you'll probably need to pay more attention at school !!!!

[CamaronKazi]

Originally Posted by stephinpdx

I ask because we've trained our cats to use the toilet instead of a stinky litter box and they occasionally will play with the water. I don't want them getting sick from it.

thanks!

Have you taught them to flush? And do cats leave the seat up or down?

[stephinpdx]

Thanks Berry - we first saw it at the hotel so must have been some sort of freshener at building level.

Shaddock - no, didn't think the blue was from the color of the sea but assumed it was some additive. I'd just worry less if it was sea water than recycled sewer water, as we were told. But I probably still didn't pay enough attention at school.

CamaronKazi - unfortunately they don't flush but we're hoping someday, they'll get it. We have to leave the seat down and the lid up for them. At the very least it was a good way of training my husband to leave the seat down!