Three Million Gallons Per Year Saved
More than 350 high-efficiency toilets have been installed in October through SCWA's Sanitation District High-Efficiency Fixture Direct-Install Program saving nearly 3 million gallons of water per year from being flushed down the drain and into county sanitation systems. Eligible homes and businesses in participating sanitation zones and districts receive free high-efficiency toilets and urinals with free, professional installation and recycling of the old fixtures, plus free low-flow showerheads and aerators through the program.

These new high-efficiency toilets use at least 63 percent less water than the original 3.5 gallon per flush low-flow toilets from the early 1980's and at least 20 percent less than the 1.6 gallon per flush ultra-low flow toilets from the 1990's.

All toilets installed through the program must be listed on SCWA's List of Qualifying Toilet Models. Currently, the toilets on the list must meet or exceed U.S. EPA WaterSense specifications for performance and water efficiency. Beginning January 1, 2010, SCWA will limit the list to only include toilets with a maximum of 1.1 gallons per flush in addition to meeting WaterSense specifications. Although the change from 1.28 to 1.1 gallons per flush may seem trivial, that fraction of a gallon adds up as SCWA's goal is to change out every toilet in sanitation district service areas.

In addition to the Direct-Install Program, SCWA also offers $150 high-efficiency toilet rebates for the do-it-yourselfers and $125 high-efficiency clothes washer rebates to select sanitation zones and districts. A new high-efficiency clothes washer uses 40 to 60 percent less water and energy per load than a standard, top-load clothes washer. Other rebates are available for businesses including a sustained reduction rebate for installing any fixture or technology that will permanently reduce the amount of water going down the drain.

Visit SCWA's Web site for more rebate information.