A study conducted by the University of Surrey suggests that toilet pellets—small, dissolvable products that turn toilet water blue and mask odors—could help reduce water usage in homes. The research focused on a commercially available product called Wizso, which users place in the toilet tank. When the pellets dissolve, they change the water color and release a pleasant scent, creating the illusion that the toilet has been flushed. The study involved 20 adults in the U.K. who used the pellets for a week and were later interviewed about their experiences. Participants generally found the pellets easy to use and appreciated the blue water, which they associated with common toilet cleaning products like tank blocks and bleach. This visual cue gave them a sense of reassurance that the toilet was clean. However, some concerns arose about social judgment. When guests were present or when the lack of flushing was visibly apparent, participants were more likely to flush the toilet anyway. Women, in particular, reported that seeing menstrual blood in the toilet triggered an automatic urge to flush, even if they had intended to conserve water. Despite these challenges, the overall response to the pellets was positive. Many participants said they could easily incorporate the product into their daily routines, even though the habit of flushing after use is deeply ingrained in many cultures. Researchers noted that social expectations—such as the pressure to appear clean or responsible in front of others—were a bigger obstacle to water conservation than the act of flushing itself. Participants who lived alone were more comfortable leaving the toilet unflushed, while those with partners, children, or family members felt more at ease doing so, though they often reverted to flushing when guests arrived. In the U.K., nearly a quarter of domestic water use comes from flushing toilets, with each flush using between 4 and 13 liters of drinking-quality water. In some countries, like Hong Kong, seawater is used for toilet flushing instead. The average person flushes the toilet six times a day, which can amount to 25 to 80 liters of water per day from that activity alone. With the U.K. aiming to reduce average daily water use from 145 liters to 110 liters by 2050, and a projected shortfall of 5 billion liters of freshwater by that year, researchers are calling for innovative solutions to help people save water throughout the year. Toilet pellets, by making water conservation more socially acceptable, could be a key part of this effort.