What you should know about toilets

Toilets account for almost 30% of residential indoor water use in the United States.

Toilets are also a major source of wasted water due to leaks and inefficiency. In a home that was built prior to 1993 it is most likely that the toilet uses 3.5 gallons or more for every single flush (in Dekalb County alone, approx. 165,000 homes were built prior to 1993 – there are approx. 1 Mio. Homes in the Greater Atlanta area that still have old, inefficient toilets in use). Experts say that the minimum needed to meet the basic human needs of drinking, cooking and hygiene is five gallons of clean water per person per day. It’s far from enough to ensure health and well-being-just enough to get by. Do we really need to flush down that much each time we go “Number One”?

In the beginning of modern toilets there was the seven-gallon flushing porcelain lavatory. Then there was the low-flush toilet. And by the time you’d flushed several times the bowl was “clear” and you had flushed more water than you did with the faithful lavatory.

Then there was the new and improved low-flush toilet, which was better but still not what always got the job done. And finally, the High-Efficiency toilet arrived; you now have your choice of flushing as little as .8 gallons with dual flush toilets. The best part is that they really work!

What Are High-Efficiency Toilets?

Under federal law, toilets must not exceed 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf). High-efficiency toilets (HETs) go beyond the standard and use less than 1.3 gpf. The WaterSense label will be used on HETs that are certified by independent laboratory testing to meet rigorous criteria for both performance and efficiency. Only HETs that complete the third-party certification process can earn the WaterSense label.

 Do High Efficiency Toilets Work?

Everyone is concerned about the performance of low-flow toilets. Do they clear the bowl and leave it clean? Do they stop up frequently? Unlike the first 1.6 gallon / flush toilets, WaterSense HETs combine high efficiency with high performance. Advances in toilet design permit WaterSense HETs to save water without loss of flushing power. In fact, many perform better than standard toilets in consumer testing. Want proof? Watch this amazing video of Eddie Wilcut, the Water Conservation Manager for the City of San Antonio, flushing a Russet potato down a Caroma toilet with the full flush (1.6 gallon) AND half flush (0.8 gallon), which is meant for liquid waste.

How Much Water and Money Do HETs Save?

High efficiency toilets save you money by reducing your water and wastewater costs. Over the course of a lifetime, an average person flushes the toilet nearly 140,000 times. If you install a WaterSense HET, you can save 4,000 gallons per year and your children can each save about a third of a million gallons during their lifetime. If a family of four replaces one 3.5 gpf toilet made between 1980 and 1994 with a WaterSense toilet, they can save $2,000 over the lifetime of the toilet. If the toilet being replaced was made before 1980, it uses 5 gallons per flush so the savings will be much greater. If you’d like to calculate how much water you can save try the water savings calculator on www.ecotransitions.com.

With these savings, new high-efficiency toilets can pay for themselves in only a few years. Even better, many local utilities offer substantial rebates for replacing old toilets with HETs. Detailed information on the rebates available in Georgia can be found here Rebates in Georgia. 

What are Dual Flush toilets?

Dual flush toilets offer a patented dual flush technology consisting of a 0.8 Gal flush for liquid waste and a 1.6 Gal flush for solids. They can save up to 40% (approx. 4600 gallons) compared to today’s standard 1.6-gallon single flush toilets. On an average of 4/1 uses a day,  Dual Flush toilets have the lowest water consumption of all – 0.96 Gallons per flush. Caroma, an Australian manufacturer that invented the Dual Flush technology manufactures award winning toilets that are both user friendly and, with a full 3.5″ trap way, virtually blockage-free!  Wouldn’t that be nice to be able to finally kiss the plunger good bye? Beware of some products reducing the amount of water flushed to use with your existing toilet. Existing bowls are not designed to perform with reduced amounts of water, so the likelihood of clogging your toilet while you are trying to flush paper and solid waste increases drastically.

Select a WaterSense Labeled High-Efficiency Toilet!

Whether you are remodeling a bathroom, beginning construction of a new house, or just want to replace an old, leaky toilet, a WaterSense labeled HET is your best bet. Look for the WaterSense label on any toilet you buy. If every home in the United States replaced just one old toilet with a new HET, we would save almost one trillion (spelled with a T)

gallons of water per year, equal to more than two weeks of the water flowing over Niagara Falls!

Note that some manufacturers offer high-efficiency and ordinary models with very similar names, so be sure and look for the WaterSense label. A list of WaterSense labeled High-Efficiency Toilets can be found here List of WaterSense labeled HET’s published by the EPA.

Where can I find a HET?

To find WaterSense partners and resources in your area, please follow the link and click on your state below or choose from the list that follows. EPA – Where you live

For a watersavings calculator and more information on Dual Flush toilets please visit www.ecotransitions.com.

Venezuela running out of toilet paper

Source http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/05/16/venezuela-toilet-paper-chavez/2165405/

 

Village of Oak Park, IL – Toilet Rebate Application

Click to access Toilet%20Rebate%20Application.pdf

Drury Hotels Chooses Caroma Dual Flush Toilets for Seven Hotels | Green Lodging News

Drury Hotels Chooses Caroma Dual Flush Toilets for Seven Hotels | Green Lodging News.

Source: Green Lodging News

Drury Hotels Chooses Caroma Dual Flush Toilets for Seven Hotels

 

 

5/6/2009

 

HILLSBORO, ORE.—Drury Hotels, a 100 percent family owned and operated mid-scale hotel company, has chosen Caroma, a leader in dual flush toilets, to supply water-saving toilets to seven hotels in the Drury chain, including the Drury Inn and Suites, Pear Tree Inn, and the Drury Plaza. This includes three retrofit projects (one in 2007 and two completed in early 2009) to replace older, higher water usage toilets and four new constructions (one in 2008 and 2009 and two in 2010).

Caroma’s first installation with Drury Hotels in 2007 was part of San Antonio Water System’s commercial toilet retrofit program at the Pear Tree Inn, San Antonio, Texas. As a result of high efficiency dual flush toilets and low flow showerheads being installed, the water consumption reduced by an average of 50 percent from 2006 to 2009 for the same three-month period. The impressive results in water savings and performance are now being experienced in other Drury Hotels in San Antonio as well as Flagstaff, Ariz., and in hotels opening during 2009 and 2010 in Phoenix, Wichita, Kan., and San Antonio.

Caroma was chosen as the dual flush toilet provider to help maximize water savings in the bathrooms. The Sydney Smart range was installed during two retrofit projects in early 2009. The Sydney Smart features a 1.28 gallon full flush button for solid waste and 0.8 gallon half flush option for liquid and paper waste, averaging just 0.9 gallons per flush. This saves nearly 44 percent more water compared to the nationally-mandated 1.6 gallon toilet. Assuming an average of 125 rooms with a 70 percent occupancy rate and eight flushes per room, one Drury hotel can save more than 664,000 gallons of water annually compared to a 3.5 gallon toilet and 178,000 gallons compared to a single flush 1.6 gallon toilet. The Sydney range installed in two earlier hotel projects use 1.6 gallons per flush for solid waste and 0.8 gallons per flush for liquid and paper waste, averaging only 0.96 gallons per flush based on a 1:4 full/half flush ratio.

Water Expenses Reduced

“Our focus at Drury Hotels is ensuring that our guests receive quality and consistency at a good value,” says Gregg Mrzlak, mechanical project manager from Drury Southwest, Inc. “We are also very aware of the drought conditions throughout the Southwest, and by using Caroma water-conserving toilets, we are able to save considerable water each year and reduce our water costs. A great added benefit by using Caroma is a reduction in maintenance due to blockages being eliminated. We have been very pleased with the dual flush toilets and will be using them in future retrofits and new installations where possible.”

“The Caroma dual flush toilets have been a great addition to our hotels because they reduce hotel water costs considerably each year and reduce the burden on San Antonio’s water systems,” says Danielle Poyner, LEED AP for Drury Southwest, Inc. “In addition to these benefits, the toilets have also contributed to Drury Hotels earning LEED Certification at the Drury Inn & Suites in Flagstaff and for hotels seeking LEED certification that will be opening soon, including Drury Inn & Suites La Cantera in San Antonio, Texas, Drury Inn & Suites in Phoenix, and Drury Plaza in Wichita, Kan.”

“In addition to the substantial water savings experienced at the Pear Tree Inn, we have reduced the number of clogs from three to five per week prior to Caroma toilets being installed to zero clogs in more than two years,” explains Aaron Francisco, property manager at Pear Tree Inn, San Antonio. “Our customers like the fact that we are helping conserve water, but also that the toilets look very modern. We didn’t have to sacrifice style for water conservation.”

Go to Caroma.

pottygirl’s 2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 19,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 4 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

Happy holidays from someone using enviro

Happy holidays from someone using environmental friendliness as an excuse for being too cheap and lazy to send a real card http://some.ly/aEUebD

Springfield City Utilities offers rebate program to help with high bills during drought

Springfield City Utilities offers rebate program to help with high bills during drought.

Plunger or Brush?

During my very first visit to the US (during my honeymoon, to be precise) I had my very first, very embarrassing experience with a plunger. After all, it happened at my mother-in-law’s house. As it happened again at a hotel in Las Vegas a few years later, I still didn’t understand why I clog a toilet in the US, but never have before in Germany.

I moved to the US many years later and bought an older home. As the drought in Georgia worsened in 2007, I noticed that the toilets in our home used 3.5 gallons for each flush. I started looking around in home improvement stores and was stunned that all toilets available used 1.6 gallons for each flush. As toilets with the option of using very little water for flushing No. 1 have been available in Germany  for a very long time, I could not believe I couldn’t find them here. So after much research, I finally found Caroma Dual Flush toilets and decided to spread the word and help Georgians flushing less water and money down the toilet. After I learned why Caroma toilets work so well with very little water, I realized why American toilets clog. So finally, 16 years later I realized that there was nothing wrong with me, or my diet, that I clogged a toilet on my honeymoon!

Standard US toilets clear the bowl with siphon technology, so the waste in the bowl gets pulled into the drain and out into the trap way. In order to create this siphon action, the trap way needs to be as narrow as possible, usually around 2 to 2 3/4 inches. You can see how siphon vs. washdown technology works here

Although most of the time this flushing method gets rid of the waste efficiently, there is a tendency for blockages to occur in the toilet trap way.

Australian and European designed toilets use a wash down method which “pushes” the waste down, instead of “pulling” it. This is why European toilets have a larger diameter trap way which results in less clogging.

One drawback of wash down toilets is the smaller water spot in the bowl, which can result in “skid marks” happening on occasion. So it really comes down to a matter of personal preference. If you are comfortable with getting out a plunger to unclog your toilet every now and again, then stick with an American style toilet. If you have issues with clogged toilets and don’t mind using a toilet brush every now and then an Australian or European style model may work better for you.

Australians Drop Their Pants to Protest Lack of Toilets

Australian beachgoers fed up with a lack of public toilet facilities on their local beaches came up with a very literal way to show their displeasure: by bringing their own toilets to the beach. On Sunday morning the dozen protesters, each dressed in top hats…

via Australians Drop Their Pants to Protest Lack of Toilets.

Redlands, CA toilet rebate

http://cityofredlands.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/MUED/Water%20Conservation/RebateApplication.pdf

Riverside, CA rebate programs

http://www.greenriverside.com/Green-Rebate-Programs-7/Residential/Water-Efficiency-113/Rebate-139/High_Efficiency_Toilets

New Tecumseth, CAN toilet rebate program

Source: http://www.simcoe.com/news/article/1419299–new-tec-offers-rebates-for-using-less-water

New Tec offers rebates for using less water

NEW TECUMSETH – New Tecumseth is offering a little incentive for residents looking to reduce their water use.

To help offset the cost of replacing high water consumption toilets with low flush toilets, the town is offering a $50 rebate per toilet. For residents buying a rain barrel, the town is offering a rebate of 50 per cent of the cost of the barrel (to a maximum of $50).

By installing an EcoEnergy low flush toilet, the town says people can help the environment by reducing water consumption and save money on your water bill. Rainwater collected through outdoor rain barrels can be used to water your lawn and flower garden or washing the car.

Each residence is eligible for two EcoEnergy toilets and one rain barrel for the first year of the Ministry of Environment-mandated program.

Rebate forms are available online at http://www.town.newtecumseth.on.ca/TownHall/WaterConservation/index.htm or by calling 905-729-1270 ext. 432.

Venice, FL toilet rebate program

Living Green: Venice toilet rebate program.

Living Green: Venice toilet rebate program

Reported by: Scott Dennis Email: sdennis@mysuncoast.com Last Update: 7/24 6:09 pm

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VENICE – You may have some water hogs inside your home and not even know it.  Older toilets can use three or more gallons per flush.  New models or low flow toilets, use only 1.6 gallons or less.  That can really add up over time and there’s no excuse now not to replace those water hogs if you live in the City of Venice. The “City on the Gulf” is offering an opportunity to save the water that fills this tower and to keep your hard earned money from being flushed down the toilet. Venice now offering a rebate of up to $100 to replace an older, high flow toilet that needs at least three gallons per flush.  There’s a limit of two per customer.  The city’s Utilities Director says there’s a big need for this rebate program. “We’ve got a lot of old, high flow fixtures out there. Venice is an older city, Sarasota is too, but in Venice, we’re trying to encourage folks to look for additional ways to curb their water use, either now over over time,” says Len Bramble, Venice Director of Utilities. Our toilets tend to last a long time.  All we have to do is occasionally replace the components inside to keep it flushing for years, even decades.  But here’s an incentive that will help you save water and pay less on your utility bill for years to come.  “Think about it over the course of a month or a year, or five years or ten years. Most of us keep those fixtures for a long time,” says Bramble. Don’t forget, there are also dual flush toilets available now that use even less water for number one.  For more information on the City of Venice’s toilet replacement rebate program, visit the city’s website. Other Suncoast communities have similar programs.  Check with your local government.

City of Durham, NC Toilet Rebate Program expanded

Source: http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/wm/toilet_rebates.cfm

Program Overview

The City of Durham Department of Water Management has expanded the WaterSense High Efficiency Toilet (HET) Rebate Program to increase program participation and water savings and to better serve the Durham community. Any toilet purchased must be a High Efficiency Toilet (HETs use an average of 1.28 gallons per flush) and MUST be on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)WaterSense list. Any toilet which meets the criteria and was purchased after January 1, 2008, will be eligible for the rebate. Rebates will be applied as credits to customers’ water bills.

Residential Customers

Each single-family residential customer can receive a rebate credit for the replacement of all existing 1.6 gallons (or more) per flush toilets in their residence with a WaterSense HET model. The amount of the rebate will continue to be $100 per toilet. To apply for the rebate/credit, submit all of the following:

• The original dated sales receipt(s)
• A copy of your most recent water bill
• A completed Single Family Residential Customer application

Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Customers

Multifamily customers, commercial customers, industrial customers, and institutional customers are eligible for rebates upon the replacement of a 1.6 gpf (or more) toilet with a WaterSense HET model. Each account holder is eligible for up to 75 rebates of $100 each. A separate application is required for each account. Each customer has the option to appeal for additional rebates. Staff will evaluate the needs of the program, including program equity and availability of funds, when determining the outcome of the request. The rebate(s) will still be provided as a billing credit and will ONLY be applied to the account serving the location where the toilets are located/installed. For example, when a water bill is in the tenant’s name at a rental property, the tenant will receive the credit; when a water bill is in a landlord’s name, the landlord will receive the credit. To apply for the rebate/credit, submit all of the following:

• The original dated sales receipt(s)
• A copy of your most recent water bill for each account
• A completed Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Customer application

All materials should be mailed to:
Department of Water Management
Durham HET Rebate Program
1600 Mist Lake Dr.
Durham, NC 27704

Do NOT mail your bill with your rebate materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a WaterSense High Efficiency Toilet?
   WaterSense is the Environmental Protection Agency’s labeling program for water efficiency products. WaterSense labeled toilets use an average of only 1.28 gallons of water per flush and have passed rigorous testing standards.

1. Do I have to buy the toilet at a particular store?
   No. As long as the toilet is an HET on the EPA’s WaterSense list, a customer can buy it from any retailer, even online, but we do need the original invoice(s) or sales receipt(s) sent in with the application. The Department of Water Management advises customers to keep a copy of the sales invoice(s) or receipt(s) for their records.

1. Are all of the toilets on the EPA WaterSense list available at all retailers?
   That is unlikely. The Department of Water Management has informed local retailers about the program and encouraged them to carry a stock of HET models. No retailer will have every toilet, but approved toilets are available locally. Many plumbing supply stores can special order toilets as well.

1. Is there anything else I need to buy with the toilet?
   This will depend on the toilet purchased, as some toilets come in complete kits. It may be possible that a new wax ring or additional bolts may be needed when purchasing the toilet. Check with your retailer or plumber to ensure you have all the equipment needed to have a working toilet.

1. Do I have to hire someone to install the toilet?
   No. Individual customers may choose to install a toilet. If you purchase a toilet through a plumber, be sure the model number of the toilet is listed on the receipt.

1. How will I receive the rebate?
   Once all required information is received by staff, the rebate will be applied as a credit to your water and sewer account.

1. When will I receive my credit?
   The first week of each month Customer Billing Services receives a list of rebates that have been processed and approved from the prior month which are applied as a credit to customers’ water bills. Please allow up to 120 days for your credit to appear on your water bill.

1. Will the City be checking to see that my toilet has been installed?
   As part of the rebate process, customers must agree to allow a post-installation inspection.

1. How long will the toilet rebate program last?
   The program is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and will function as long as allocated funds permit.

1. Where can I get more information on HET models?
   Here are some helpful links:
   • EPA WaterSense Labeled Toilets
   • Maximum Performance Testing results of Popular Toilet Models
2. Where can I get more information on Durham’s HET Rebate Program?
   For information, call (919) 560-4381 or e-mail toiletrebate@durhamnc.gov.

Oregon, WI offers toilet rebate

Toilet Rebate Program

Toilet flushing uses more water than any other household fixture.

Replace your old water guzzling toilet with an EPA WaterSense Toilet and Reap the Cost Savings Rewards!

Oregon Water & Sewer Utility is offering a $50.00 rebate to people who replce a high-volume toilet with a High-Efficiency EPA WaterSense Toilet that uses 1.28 gallons/flush.  The $50.00 rebate will be credited to your active water account, no checks will be mailed.

Rebates are limited to two per service address and will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Rebate Applications are available at Village Hall and here online.

For more inforamtion regarding WaterSense Toilets – click here.

 

1. Property where toilet is installed is an active customer of Oregon Water & Sewer Utility.
2. New toilet must be listed on EPA’s Water Sense Toilet model list.
3. Applicants must be the owner of the property listed on the rebate application.
4. An original, unaltered, dated sales receipt (dated on or after May 1, 2012) listing the model number, MUST accompany the rebate application.
5. The old toilet cannot be reused.
6. Applicant agrees and understands that Oregon Water & Sewer Utility or its representatives reserve the right to inspect the installation of the fixture before or after the rebate is credited to the applicant.
7. Applicant understands that Oregon Water & Sewer Utility may withhold rebate until any of the above listed conditions are met.

Toilet Rebate Application

Source: http://www.vil.oregon.wi.us/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC=%7B90B2D503-7CB8-424C-8055-E0818B905403%7D&DE=%7B3AB8F0AA-95AE-4FA1-9862-526DD45D3F7E%7D

Monroe, WA toilet rebate program

http://www.monroewa.gov/index.aspx?NID=450

WaterSense Toilet Program
Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the rebate?
The rebate is $75 per toilet, or the pre-tax purchase price of the toilet, whichever is less. The
rebate applies only to the cost of the toilet, not additional parts, labor or tax. You can apply for
one rebate per home. If you applied for a rebate in 2010 or 2011, you no longer qualify.

Who qualifies for the rebate?
Single family homes (house or condominium) and multifamily buildings (four or fewer units)
served by a water district or water association are eligible (no private wells). The home must be
located in Snohomish County, WA—excluding Hat Island and the following zip codes: 98077,
98241, 98251 and 98292.

Which toilets qualify for the rebate?
Any toilet with the EPA WaterSense label qualifies for a rebate. For a list of
WaterSense labeled toilets go to http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/products/toilets.html

Who makes WaterSense toilets?
WaterSense toilets are high-efficiency toilets (HET). HETs use no more than 1.28
gallons per flush on average, or 20 percent less than the current plumbing standard.
All WaterSense labeled toilets have been rigorously tested by independent laboratories and
must reliably flush a minimum of 350 grams of solid.

Who makes WaterSense toilets and where are they sold?
All major toilet manufacturers produce WaterSense labeled models and all hardware and
bathroom supply stores carry several models.

What documentation must I provide to receive a rebate?
You must complete and sign the application form and attach a copy of the sales receipt. If the
receipt does not show the brand and model of the toilet, you must provide other
documentation, such as the WaterSense label and model number from the toilet packaging.

When must I apply?
You must submit your application within 60 days after purchasing the toilet. Applications
received beyond 60 days of the purchase will not be processed. How long does the program last?
This program is effective January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012, or until the program funds are
exhausted. Rebates are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

How long does it take to get my rebate?
You should receive your rebate check within 4 to 6 weeks after receipt of the application.

How much water do WaterSense toilets save?
Toilets sold in Washington before 1994 use at least 3.5 gallons per flush. Since 1994, toilets are
required to use a maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush. Replacing a pre-1994 toilet will save a
typical household about 10,000 gallons of water a year. Replacing a newer toilet will save
about 1,400 gallons of water per year.

Who can I contact if I have questions?
Email Jordan Ottow at the City of Monroe—Water Quality at jottow@monroewa.gov or call
360-863-4546.

Southwest Florida Water Management District partners with area cities and utilities to provide low-flow toilet rebate programs.

Most offer up to a $100 rebate when residents replace inefficient toilets with low-flow models. The District splits the cost with participating cities and utilities.

Since 1991 the District has cooperatively funded retrofit programs such as toilet rebates resulting in an average savings of more than 13 million gallons per day!

To find out more information, please contact one of the following participating programs in your area.

City of Frostproof
(863) 528-2184

City of Lake Alfred
(863) 291-5274

City of St. Petersburg
(727) 893-7676

City of Venice
1-800-964-2140

East Pasco Water Coalition
City of Dade City
(352) 523-5050

City of Zephyrhills
(813) 780-0008

Town of Saint Leo
(352) 588-2622

Florida Government Utility Authority
City of New Port Richey and Holiday
(727) 372-0115

Manatee County
1-800-964-2140

Marion County
(352) 671-8686

Pasco County
1-800-964-2140

SPU – Multifamily Toilet Program – expires August 31, 2012

Source: http://www.savingwater.org/docs/rebate.pdf

Multifamily Toilet Replacement for apartments of 4 or more living units in the Saving water Partnership Territory

Toilet graveyard a boon for recyclers

By JOSH GREEN – Associated Press
http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2012-05-21/toilet-graveyard-boon-recyclers

LAWRENCEVILLE — The Toilet King, as he’s been playfully called around the office, has never seen a porcelain throne he didn’t like. He holds no grudge against the avocado-colored dinosaurs of the 1960s, the robin’s egg blue ones, the oddball yellow ones, the dying-rose pink ones. Should the toilet have been left in the yard with a bird’s nest packed inside — no matter.

The King isn’t picky. He likes to see old toilets die. His forte is to ferry them into the afterlife.

His highness is Bill Hallman, 61, warehouse manager for the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, a laid-back grandfather of five and Navy veteran with a Col. Sanders goatee. He is the gatekeeper to an amenity that sets Gwinnett apart in metro Atlanta — a free, on-site toilet recycling drop-off.

Toilets come to Hallman from every stripe of folks imaginable, from farmhouses and apartment complexes, on average 1,800 per year. Sometimes on Mondays, after a fair-weather weekend, the toilets are waiting for him at the Winder Highway office, lined up like forgotten tombstones.

“I tell people a toilet is like an automobile,” Hallman laughed in his office, “you can get a Volkswagen, or you can get a Cadillac.”

The Cadillac of toilets, if not the Ferrari, would be the .8 gallon marvel that practically sips water. The jalopy is the circa-1950, seven-gallon antique an employee recently recycled. Big picture, those few gallons per flush, when multiplied by hundreds of thousands of households, can have a substantial impact on Gwinnett’s primary water source, Lake Lanier. The DWR’s goal is to introduce as many wasteful toilets as possible to the executioner — that is, the community service workers swinging the big sledgehammer.

Each jurisdiction in North Georgia is mandated to offer a toilet rebate program for those who replace pre-1993 toilets with more efficient new ones, which can use 1/5 as much water. Rebates are $100 per toilet, deducted from water bills (two per household; receipts required). But the opportunities to recycle the jilted old thrones are few. Some garbage haulers charge to cart toilets away, as their biodegradability falls somewhere between Keith Richards and Stone Mountain.

“It’s another way to keep a useful material from taking up space in landfills,” said DWR water conservation coordinator Heather Moody. “This is a big convenience to our customers because there are so few recycling facilities in the region.”

Launched in Gwinnett in 2007, the rebate program has accounted for nearly 11,000 upgraded toilets, which are saving more than 200,000 gallons of water per day, or 73 million gallons annually. That’s the equivalent of roughly 146 Olympic-sized pools per year not siphoned from Lake Lanier.

Since the toilet recycling drop-off opened in January last year, an estimated 2,500 thrones have met their maker.

The executioner on a recent hot day was 20-year-old probationer Francis Rivas, who donned a dirty Brookwood shirt, backward Falcons cap and a welding faceguard for protection. His job was to climb into the facility’s Dumpster and smash donated (and disinfected) toilets into tiny shards via a sledgehammer. He’d never done it before.

“It should be fun,” Rivas said, pre-game. “Being a guy, we like to smash things.”

Like a knife through butter, the sledgehammer dominated several toilets, ending their inglorious existence in seconds. The parking lot rang with sounds like dinner China dropping on the street.

“Toilets are fun to smash,” Rivas enthused afterward. “My approach was just swing big. Swing big or go home, I guess.”

So a full Dumpster fits about 600 toilets, which are further crushed with a backhoe after the sledgehammering. Seats, handles and non-porcelain innards are picked out.

The next stop en route to toilet afterlife is Patterson Services in Mableton, among the largest recyclers in the Southeast. The company charges $300 to retrieve a load, which is the only cost Gwinnett County incurs for the recycling program, Hallman said.

The toilets of Gwinnett are fed into what’s called a cone crusher, becoming the finished product, crushed porcelain. Owner Ken Patterson said that product then has two options: It will be landscape gravel, or an aggregate stone. Those thrones that go the latter route will be a sub-base for the asphalt roads we drive, a moisture barrier under commercial and residential concrete slabs — or even cement kitchen countertops.

“A lot of people like the little white stripes in (the countertops),” Patterson said.

The process, in the estimation of the Toilet King, is a win-win.

“It’s well worth it for us,” Hallman said. “We’re the winner, because we’re getting our water.”

St. Pete, FL Offering Low-Flow Toilet Rebates

placing older high-flow toilets with water-efficient toilets through this project is anticipated to save an estimated 24,300 gallons per day.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of St. Petersburg are offering water customers rebates of up to $100 for replacing their high-flow toilets.

Replacing older high-flow toilets with water-efficient toilets through this project is anticipated to save an estimated 24,300 gallons per day.

Customers must be potable water residential or nonresidential users of St. Petersburg and meet other requirements to be eligible for the rebates. The toilet being replaced must be made and installed before 1995 and use approximately 3.5 gallons of water or more per flush. Customers must call or email to check eligibility and receive an application prior to toilet purchase.

Educational information also will be provided to customers about water conservation, which will include leak detection and the proper selection of parts for water-saving toilets.

The total cost of this project is $150,000. It is being funded by the District in cooperation with the City of St. Petersburg.

Source: http://oldnortheast.patch.com/articles/city-of-st-petersburg-offering-low-flow-toilet-rebates

City of Odessa, TX toilet rebate program

High Efficiency Toilet Rebate Program

The intent of this rebate is to encourage residents to upgrade their toilets with high-efficiency units in their homes. Older traditional toilets use as much as seven (7) gallons per flush. High-efficiency toilets (HETs) are rated 1.3 gallons per flush or less. Improved technology has basically eliminated the days of double flushing. HETs come in many styles and sizes to fit your home decor.

Program Requirements & Eligibility

An account holder will be eligible to receive a rebate if they meet the following qualifications:
1. A City of Odessa water and sewer customer (not trash only). Must have an individual account directly billed by the City of Odessa.
2. Only residential customers are eligible.
3. A copy of the purchase receipt is required before the before application can be processed.
4. All homes built in 1994 to present are ineligible.
5. Toilet being replaced must be 3.5 gallons per flush (or higher).
6. HETs must be purchased on or after May 15, 2012.
7. New toilet must be EPA Water Sense labeled. (See EPA WaterSense web site for a complete list of eligible toilets at http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense).
8. The rebate amount may not exceed the amount paid for the toilet before tax.
9. Maximum of three toilet rebates per household.

How To Get Your Rebate

To request an application, complete the online REBATE APPLICATION REQUEST FORM or call (432) 335-3204. Once your name, address, phone number, and account number have been verified, an official application will be sent through the mail. After installing the high-efficiency toilet, complete the application and submit it along with a copy of your purchase receipt to the City of Odessa Billing and Collections Department. City staff will review your application, purchase receipt and schedule an inspection, if necessary.

NOTE: No inspection is needed if a licensed contractor or plumber installs the toilet. If an inspection is necessary you will be contacted to schedule an appointment.

After the inspection (if necessary) and approval of your application, $75 will be credited to your City of Odessa utility account within 1-2 billing cycles.

Questions: If you have further questions, e-mail rebates@odessa-tx.gov or call (432) 335-3204
http://www.newswest9.com/story/18429587/the-city-of-odessa-is-doing-something-for-its-residents