Homeowners who want to reduce their water use and expense can turn to
high-efficiency toilets and a voucher discount worth up to $165 off the
price of qualifying models. But they need to act soon. Available for 15
years in San Diego County, the discount incentive opportunity for single-family
property owners ends March 31, 2007.
Homes built before 1994 that have yet to replace water guzzling 3.5-
to 5-gallon-per-flush or more toilets are eligible for the cost saving
vouchers. Dual-flush, pressure-assist and gravity-flow “high-efficiency”
models are eligible for $165-per-toilet discounts at the time of purchase.
And there’s a long list of 1.6-gpf models that qualify for $75 discounts.
One toll-free call to 800-986-4538 gets a voucher on its way to your
home or faxed to the store where you would like to purchase a qualifying
fixture. This year’s 25,000 toilet vouchers will be the last, as
the Water Authority and its local member agencies refocus their single-
family property conservation efforts on outdoor water use – an area
where even greater water savings can be realized. It’s a first-come,
first-served program, which means the time to replace old toilets is now,
before the vouchers run out.
Dual-flush? High-efficiency? Here’s a technology update.
Dual-flush models offer the choice of a “liquid-only” short
flush or standard full flush. According to a several studies this can
reduce water use by up to 65 percent, compared to inefficient 3.5- to
5-gpf toilets. (See www.cuwcc.org/maptesting.lasso.)
The dual-flush toilets, a technology first developed in the early 1980s,
have been standard fixtures in Europe and Australia for several decades.
They are little known in the United States but water agencies nationwide
want to change that.
Toilets have saved billions of gallons of water ...
In San Diego County, new homes in Otay Ranch’s Monte Sereno project
have dual-flush toilets installed in all the bathrooms. Vice President
of Construction for Oakwood Development, Doug Brooks, tested the technology
in his home first.
“My family and I are very happy with the performance and efficiency
of our dual flush toilets. I have never experienced a backup with the
dual flush toilets and our water consumption has been noticeably less,”
said Brooks.
Pressure-assist models use water pressure to compress and store air in
a plastic tank. A burst of air is released with each flush, which helps
clear the bowl using only 1.2 gallons of water. More than 15 models qualify
for the $165 discount.
The toilet-replacement program has been the Water Authority’s flagship
conservation effort since 1991. It’s been a key to regional water
savings.
“Conservation efforts have resulted in more than 102 billion gallons
of water saved since 1991,” said Cindy Hansen, a senior water resources
specialist of the San Diego County Water Authority. “Much of that
savings comes from the more than 518,600 toilets replaced in San Diego
county homes.”
It’s the foundation of the Water Authority’s regional goal
of saving 100,000 acre-feet of water -annually by 2030, according to Hansen.
Vouchers also available for high-efficiency clothes washers ...
Another household water-saving opportunity is high- efficiency clothes
washers. And by teaming with San Diego Gas & Electric to offer one
convenient incentive, the Water Authority now offers a $175 discount available
at nearly all retail appliance stores.
The voucher discounts bring the purchase price of qualifying washers
down. Ongoing savings include reductions in gas, electric, water and sewer
expenses. According to Hansen, high-efficiency washers save over 9,000
gallons of water a year and use 55 percent less energy.
How to get a voucher ...
To request a toilet or clothes washer voucher, call 1- 800-986-4538.
It can be used for a point-of-purchase discount at participating wholesale
and retail suppliers countywide. The following guidelines apply.
- Toilets and clothes washers must be selected from Water Authority
lists of approved models. Call 800-986-4538 to request a copy or visit
http://www.sdcwa.org/manage/
pdf/Conservation/ApprovedSPStoilets.pdf
- Toilets must replace fixtures that are specified by their manufacturers
to use at least
- Toilets installed as part of new construction or bathroom additions
do not qualify.
- Used, remanufactured or reconditioned clothes washers do not qualify
for voucher discounts.
- Participating property owners agree to onsite installation verification.
- The last date to request toilet vouchers is March 31, 2007.
Customers of the following participating water agencies are eligible
for vouchers: Carlsbad Municipal Water District, City of Del Mar, City
of Escondido, Fallbrook Utility District (clothes washers only), Helix
Water District, Lakeside Water District, City of Oceanside, Otay Water
District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, City of Poway, Rainbow Municipal
Water District, Ramona Municipal Water District, Rincon del Diablo Municipal
Water District, Riverview Water District, City of San Diego, San Dieguito
Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District, Sweetwater Authority (clothes
washers only), Vallecitos Water District, Valley Center Municipal Water
District and Vista Irrigation District.
