and vacuum assisted flushing will provide the most efficient use of water in a flushing cycle the present invention also teaches a method for providing vacuum to assist in the flushing of a toilet described above when the flushing actuator 16 is engaged the control module 44 or microprocessor 60 activates the vacuum valve 34 to an open state at this time the flap valve 40 remains in a closed position at this moment the volume of air in the discharge passage 20 is defined by the leading edge 46 of the waste water stream 18 the flap valve 40 and in the interior surface of the discharge passage 20 when the vacuum valve 34 is opened the vacuum within the reservoir 36 draws the volume of air in the discharge passage 20 into the reservoir 36 the valve 34 is then closed by the control module 44 or processor 60 as the waste water stream 18 is quickly drawn through the discharge passage 20 passes the location of the valve 34 the length of time that the valve 34 is maintained in an opened position is based on the particular system the waste water stream will then flow passed the closed vacuum valve 34 and proceed through the flap valve 40 which is moved to an open position to the discharge pipe 28 thus there has been described a unique vacuum assisted toilet and method of operating a toilet.