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.

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Georgia Water Conservation by Alice Miller Keyes, Georgia EPD

Georgia Water Conservation by Alice Miller Keyes, GA EPD – Presentation Transcript

1. Water Conservation in Georgia 2010: A BIG YEAR Alice Miller Keyes GA Environmental Protection Division Watershed Protection Branch
2. Water Conservation in Georgia
   • The beneficial reduction in water waste, water loss and water use
   • Many Benefits:
   • • Protect river flows and aquifer levels
   • • Extend the life of existing supplies
   • • Demonstrate responsible use of shared waters

   The ultimate goal of water conservation is not to prevent water use, but to maximize each gallon of water used (WCIP 2010)

3. Extreme Drought
4. • The State Water Plan identifies WC as a priority water quantity management practice (SWP Sec. 7, Policy 3)
   • While WC is not expected to fully meet water needs, it is an effective and efficient practice for all water users (SWP Sec. 8, Policy 1)

   Statewide Water Management Plan

5. Lake Lanier Ruling
   • Judge Magnuson’s ruling
   • • water supply was not originally authorized purpose of Lanier
   • • Current supply use exceeds Army Corps authority
   • • Restricts future water use (2012)
   • Governor’s Water
   • Contingency
   • Task Force
6. • 2010
   • A Big Year!

   Lanier Ruling State Water Plan DROUGHT

7. 2010 – The Big Year for Conservation in Georgia
   • Water Conservation Implementation Plan
   • Water Stewardship Act of 2010
   • Regional planning for conservation priority
8. Water Conservation Implementation Plan
   • The WCIP creates a common vision for water conservation
   • Called for through Executive Orders and Statewide Water Management Plan
   • Can be used by organizations, agencies, water user sectors, regional water planning councils and individual water users
9. WCIP
   • The WCIP is not regulation, but a resource for all Georgia water users.
   • Includes sector specific goals, benchmarks, practices, and implementation actions for:
   • • A gricultural Water Use,
   • • Electric Generation,
   • • Golf Course Water Use,
   • • Industrial and Commercial,
   • • Landscape,
   • • Public water providers, and
   • • State agencies.
10. WCIP
    • The WCIP can be found through :
    • http://www.ConserveWaterGeorgia.net or
    • http://www.GeorgiaWaterPlanning.org
11. Water Stewardship Act of 2010
    • WSA was enacted by 2010 General Assembly
    • Reaffirms “the imminent need to create a culture of water conservation in the State of Georgia”
    • Based on recommendations of Water Contingency Task force and supported by details of the WCIP
12. WSA – Key Provisions
    • 1) Requires state agencies to inventory and enhance policies and programs that encourage conservation.
    • 2) Mandates medium and large public water systems to conduct annual water audits and follow leak abatement BMPs

    Report available online : http://www.gaepd.org – What’s New

13. Key Provisions of the WSA (cont)
    • 3) Revises state construction standards for buildings constructed after July 2012
    • • High efficiency plumbing fixtures (toilets, showerheads and urinals)
    • • Sub-metering for multi-unit buildings
    • • High efficiency cooling towers for commercial and industrial
    • 4) Modifies authorities to restrict outdoor water use and establishes a schedule for outdoor irrigation
    • 5) Calls for amendments to permitting system for farm water use
14. Regional Practices to Manage Demand
    • The SWP identifies WC as a priority water quantity management practice
    • Each Council is expected to include demand management in their regional water plan
15. Regional Planning Guidance
    • Guidance issued to Councils to:
    • • Establish a common starting point for considering demand management practices
    • • Ensure practices reflect current rules as well as amended rules expected following the SWP and the WSA, and
    • • Provide flexibility to Councils to adapt practices to the specifics of each region
16. Regional Planning – A Tiered Structure
    • Tier ONE practices – mandatory through rules or law (permittees)
    • Tier TWO practices – options addressed through rule (permittees)
    • Tier THREE practices – optional, basic (permittees and others)
    • Tier FOUR practices – beyond basic to help “close the gap” (permittees and others)
17. Regional Planning – A Tiered Structure (cont)
18. Regional Conservation Assessment Process
    • Practices are not limited to those in the Worksheets
    • Many Councils have begun evaluation
    • Guidance, not a prescriptive methodology
    • • Councils and their Contractors should use tools available
    • • Final process, inputs, outputs and results will be documented in a technical memorandum that supplements the regional plans

    Available online http://www.GeorgiaWaterPlanning.org under Technical Guidance/Regional Planning Guidance

19. 2010 – 2011 – Another Big Year?!
    • Regional Water Planning Councils conservation assessments
    • Metro North GA Water Planning District Updated practices
    • Updated Rules for water conservation
    • Water loss audits and assistance programs
    • Education and Outreach
20. Metro Atlanta Communities
    • Amend MNGWPD plans to include add’t practices for counties affected by judge’s ruling
    • Add’t practices for 6 counties include:
    • • • Maintain a water conservation program
    • • • • Dedicated staff
    • • • • Dedicated Funding
    • • • Expedite the Goal for Reducing Non-Revenue Water
    • • • Multi-family toilet rebate program
    • • • Retrofit on Reconnect
    • • • Install meters with point of use leak detection
    • • • Require private fire lines to be metered
21. Metro Atlanta Communities (cont)
    • Additional practices for all 15 counties in District
    • • Water Waste Policy or Ordinance
    • • WaterSense New Homes
    • • • Working on Metro Atlanta specific guidance on the outdoor portion.
    • • • Southface working as a License and Certification Provider.
    • • • Minimum program – incentivize this program.
    • • • Possibility to require all new single-family homes meet the WaterSense New Homes Criteria.
22. Upcoming Amended WC Rules
    • Per the WSA and the SWP, DNR is to amend rules related to conservation and water loss.
    • Amended rules will likely be coordinated and include:
    • • • Progress toward water efficiency for water withdrawal permits (SWP)
    • • • Annually report information on water efficiency (SWP)
    • • • Annually submit water system audits (WSA)
    • Likely to occur in December or early 2011
23. Water Loss Control and Assistance
    • New water loss control requirements:
    • • Minimum standards for improving the efficiency of public water systems, and
    • • Implementation of Best practices program:
    • • • Establishment of an infrastructure leakage index
    • • • A phased in approach to
    • • • • conduct standardized annual water loss audits according to the IWA water audit method
    • • • • Implement water loss detection programs
    • A technical assistance program to guide water systems water audits and loss progs
24. Education and Outreach
    • waterSmart is an education program designed to help residents statewide understand how to maintain their landscapes while using less water.

    http://www.ConserveWaterGeorgia.net

25. WaterSmart Tips
    • Water efficiently
    • Put the “right” plants in the “right” places
    • Add organic matter
    • Mulch
    • Collect water from alternative sources
    • Know the rules
26. WaterSmart Tools
    • Brochures and flyers
    • Video public service announcements
    • Homeowner workshop
    • Media Relations/Landscape Challenge
    • Drought in Georgia – a unit for 6 th grade teachers
    • Upcoming “YardStick” for certifying waterSmart landscapes
27. Thank You! Questions?
    • • Alice Miller Keyes
    • • Georgia EPD
    • • Watershed Protection
    • • Branch
    • • 912-262-3185
    • • [email_address]

    http://www.ConserveWaterGeorgia.net

It’s official: Atlanta is the first City in the Southeast offering a toilet rebate program for apartment buildings and condominiums

Mayor Kasim Reed officially announced the first Multi-Family toilet rebate program in the Southeastern United States during the City of Atlanta’s Sustainability Week, October 25-29, 2010. In his  “Power to Change” speech, he outlined how Atlanta plans to become one of the top-ten sustainable cities in the nation.

Below you will find the details on the Multi-family toilet rebate program – you can also visit  the following link for the rebate application. http://www.atlantawatershed.org/owe/multi-family-toilet-rebate.htm

Multi-family Toilet Rebate Program

• Multifamily Toilet Rebate Application
• Multifamily Recycling Guidelines

The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management extends its high-efficiency toilet rebate to multifamily customers

Apartment and condominium communities that are City of Atlanta water customers may qualify if the following criteria are met:

• The property was built prior to 1993
• Existing toilets use more than 1.6 gallons per flush
• Property owner/manager is up-to-date on water bill payments
• Property owner/manager has water and sewer account with DWM
• Property owner/manager agrees to a pre-installation water audit inspection by DWM
• Property owner/manager purchases all fixtures and arranges for/pays for installation
• Property owner/manager provides proof of purchase (original receipts) and proof of installation (plumber/contractor statement or invoice)
• Property owner/manager contracts with a licensed waste hauler who will transport used porcelain toilets to one of two porcelain recyclers in the Atlanta area (documentation from recycler required)
• Property owner/manager agrees to a post-installation verification site visit by DWM
• Property owner/manager completes a multifamily toilet rebate application (which includes all documentation listed above)

If the above criteria are met, the property owner/manager will receive a $100 rebate for each toilet replaced with a 1.28 gallon-per-flush or less EPA WaterSense toilet. Look for the  label.

Rebates will be applied to the water account(s) for the property in question.

Rebates will be applied to qualifying applicants on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available.

For more information about the Multifamily Toilet Rebate Program, contact Jennifer Carlile, jcarlile@atlantaga.gov, (404) 546-1265.

San Marcos, TX offers Multi-Family Toilet Rebate Program

http://www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us/departments/www/MFToiletRebateProgram.htm

Jan Klein, Conservation Coordinator

(512) 393-8310

 

Multi-Family Toilet Rebate Program

Almost a third of the water used in San Marcos is used by residents living in multi-family communities such as apartment complexes, condominiums, and townhomes.  Toilets are generally the highest user of water in multi-family facilities, especially those built before efficient plumbing standards went into effect in 1993.

Older toilets commonly use 3.5 gallons of water per flush or more.  Low flow models use only 1.6 gallons per flush, and high efficiency toilets (HETs) use only 1.3 gallons per flush.  Replacing your old toilets with new high efficiency models can result in BIG water savings.  And big water savings mean BIG utility bill savings for you and your tenants.

How much can I save?
More than you think!  And you could save even more if you take advantage of our FREE showerhead and aerator replacement too!

 

Number of  Residents	Gallons Saved per Day	Gallons Saved per Month	Dollars Saved per Month	Dollars Saved per Year
50	550	16,500	$209	$2,502
100	1,100	33,000	$417	$5,005
150	1,650	49,500	$626	$7.508
200	2,200	66,000	$834	$10,011

(Water savings based on toilet replacement only; dollar savings based on current City water and wastewater rates)

 

Which toilets qualify for a rebate?

Only EPA WaterSense labeled toilets qualify for a rebate.  Contact the City Water Department for a complete list of qualifying models.

How much of a rebate will I get?

Up to $100.00 for each high-flow toilet that is replaced with a qualifying model.

How does the program work?

Step 1: Before purchasing your new toilets, send a completed applicationto the City of San Marcos Water/Wastewater Department.

Step 2: The City will conduct an inspection of your complex to verify eligibility.

Step 3: The City will send a Letter of Approval to proceed with purchase and installation of your new toilets, along with a list of models that qualify for a rebate.

Step 4: Purchase and install your new qualifying ultra-low-flush toilets. Installation must be completed within 90 days after the date of your Letter of Approval .

Step 5: Send in your receipts for purchase and installation of the new toilets.

Step 6: The City will conduct a final inspection to verify installation.

Step 7: The City will send your rebate check in the mail.

Funding is limited, and is available on a first come/first serve basis beginning October 1 of each year.

Qualifying Models

Multi-Family Application & Guidelines

 

Caroma, Moen Recognized By WaterSense – Industry News – PMEngineer

Caroma, Moen Recognized By WaterSense – Industry News – PMEngineer.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program presented high-efficiency, dual-flush toilet manufacturer Caroma with its inaugural Excellence Award for Caroma’s number of WaterSense-labeled products in the marketplace — all 47 of its floor-mount, dual-flush toilet models, more than any company in the industry. The company’s award-winning Smartflush toilets surpass both the U.S. federal requirement of no more than 1.6 gpf for new toilets, as well as the North American high-efficiency toilet standard of 1.28 gpf. 

The EPA made the presentation at the WaterSmart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas during its second annual WaterSense awards banquet Oct. 6, co-hosted with the Alliance for Water Efficiency. 

“We are deeply honored and grateful to receive an Excellence Award, and we are proud to be a leader in the effort to preserve the world’s most valuable resource,” said Derek Kirkpatrick, Caroma North America’s general manager. “Caroma has been a tireless supporter of sustainable technologies for more than 70 years, and we look forward to strengthening our commitment to changing the way bathroom water is used and conserved.”

 

 

WaterSense Partners Of The Year Named

The EPA also named four Partners of the Year for their exceptional efforts in promoting water efficiency and WaterSense-labeled products. The WaterSense program’s more than 2,000 partners help save water for future generations by promoting water efficiency and WaterSense-labeled products. 

“These partners contributed significantly to our efforts to make WaterSense-labeled products a household fixture in 2009,” said Peter S. Silva, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Water. “They also helped consumers who purchased these products save 36 billion gallons of water and more than $267 million in water and sewer bills in 2009.”

The partners of the year are: 

Manufacturer Partner of the Year: Moen. Bathroom fixture manufacturer Moen earned the WaterSense label for all of its 267 bathroom faucet fixtures, ensuring availability of water-saving faucets for consumers at every price point, and garnered significant national media attention for WaterSense.

Promotional Partner of the Year: Cascade Water Alliance, King County, Wash. Cascade Water Alliance collaborated with retailers and plumbers to promote water efficiency in the Puget Sound region and rebated more than 3,000 WaterSense-labeled toilets for households and local businesses.

Retailer Partner of the Year: Lowe’s Cos. Big-box retailer Lowe’s launched a “Build Your Savings” program to help customers select products that save energy, water and money, winning WaterSense Retail/Distributor Partner of the Year for the second year in a row.

Irrigation Partner of the Year: Judy Benson of Clear Water Products and Services (Clear Water PSI), Florida.Benson educated businesses and consumers on outdoor water efficiency and encouraged other irrigation professionals in the central Florida region to partner with WaterSense.

To learn more about the WaterSense awards winners, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

Water conservation rebate programs Round Rock City and Pflugerville, TX

Water conservation rebate programs.

By Kathryn Eakens Friday, 02 July 2010

 

Though the summer is off to a wet start, weather patterns are difficult to predict, and a drought can happen at any time. The cities of Round Rock and Pflugerville both offer programs that not only encourage residents to conserve water, but can also save them money in the process.

Round Rock

The Round Rock City Council approved a resolution May 27 creating two new water conservation pilot programs—a toilet rebate program and an efficient irrigation program—which began June 1.

Click for larger image

The toilet rebate program offers City of Round Rock residential water customers a rebate for replacing their existing toilets with a model off the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense list. Similar to the logo associated with the Energy Star Program, the WaterSense logo—a blue and green water droplet—signifies products that have been third-party tested and designated water efficient.

“The toilet is the No. 1 user of water inside the house. If you’re going to do one thing inside your house to save water, it should be to replace your toilet with a WaterSense label model,” City Water Conservation Specialist Jessica Woods said. “It’s the easiest thing to do and the most cost-effective thing to do.”

A resident can receive a rebate of up to $100 per toilet for replacing up to two toilets in their home, which must have been built prior to Jan. 1, 1996.

“In 1992, a national standard became effective saying all toilets have to use 1.6 gallons per flush or less, but all the manufacturers did was put less water in the tank so those early ’90s toilets were just awful,” Woods said. “By 1995, the industry had reconfigured how the toilets actually worked so anything built since 1996 has those second generation toilets that are better. That’s why I chose that as the cutoff date.”

To qualify for the efficient irrigation program, residents must also be City of Round Rock water customers—residential or commercial—and have an existing irrigation system.

“I’ll come out to the property and conduct an irrigation evaluation on their system to see how much water it’s using now and give my recommendations on what could help that system be more efficient,” Woods said. “If there’s anything I recommend that is on our rebate list, then they could get that work done and apply for a rebate.”

Residential customers can receive up to $300 in rebates, while the maximum for commercial and multifamily customers is $600.

Woods said both programs run through Sept. 30 or until funding—which comes from revenue generated by the city’s peak usage water rates—runs out. Applications are available at www.roundrocktexas.gov.

Pflugerville

The city’s Drop by Drop program, which has been in place for several years, offers City of Pflugerville water customers a rebate for landscaping their lawns with approved plants, trees, shrubs and grasses.

After filling out an application including a sketch of the current landscape and a list of planned improvements, applicants have until the end of June each year to implement the plan once it is approved by the city.

“Not only would you be reducing water, but ideally you would be reducing maintenance time in your yard so you wouldn’t be producing as many carbon dioxide emissions from lawnmowers and that kind of thing,” City Forester April Rose said. “Native plants usually need much less in the way of fertilizer so you’d be reducing not only the demand for fertilizer but the potential runoff into storm water. They also provide better habitats for birds and other wildlife.”

Participants can receive a rebate for half of their expenses, up to $500. As part of the Drop by Drop program, the city also sells rain barrels and composters to residents at cost—$40 for a rain barrel and $60 for a composter.

A demonstration garden showing some of the plants and grasses that qualify under the program is located at the Pflugerville Recreation Center, and applications are available at www.cityofpflugerville.com

College Station, TX COMMERCIAL / MULTIFAMILY toilet rebate program

http://www.cstx.gov/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=7821