|
Toilet Rebate 2003: Frequently Asked Questions
Is DEP bringing back a toilet rebate program?
DEP expects to begin a limited Toilet Rebate Program during calendar year 2003. Participation will be limited to apartment buildings with six or more dwelling units that are applying for the Multifamily Conservation Program ("MCP"), but cannot currently qualify because they do not have low-consumption toilets installed.
What will rebate levels be?
Final decisions on exact rebate levels are still under review but they will be approximately as follows:
| Gravity-flush toilets | $75-80 |
| "Flushometer" toilets | $110-120 |
| Pressure and vacuum assisted | $175-200 |
DEP is giving some consideration to providing the $110-120 rebate level to a few gravity-flush products which have been shown to perform almost as well as pressurized tank models and which have features which prevent leaks and tampering. These are models which either do not have a flapper or have a flapper which cannot be replaced with an incorrect flapper, and which pass performance tests with scores similar to those of pressure-assisted models.
All products with flappers will be required to have flappers which carry a warranty of at least five years, or which meet any new ANSI/APMO standard for the flappers. Failing a new ANSI/APMO standard in the short term, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power maintains a list of flappers which resist chemical corrosion. (For Los Angeles Purchase Specification for flappers,
Click Here).
The different rebate levels are meant to reflect the additional water savings provided by high performance products. The generally lower rebate levels, compared to the original TRP. Reflect our experiences from the original program and reduced avoided costs. The rebates are designed to cover approximate material costs. A gravity-flush toilet model with a material cost significantly below the rebate amount will be awarded a rebate closer to its actual price. DEP will reserve the right to require submission of copies of invoices from suppliers and will monitor retail prices.
What will be different about the new TRP?
- Rebate checks will only be made out to the name on the water/sewer account. Two-payee checks will not be issued. Rebate checks will be sent by certified mail to the owner.
- Owners, agents and licensed plumbers will be able to track the status of a project on a web page or through an Interactive Voice Response telephone system.
- Pickup of checks and drop-off of submissions will not be permitted. The will not be a public office processing applications.
- Only properties which have applied for the Multifamily Conservation Program ("MCP"), qualify for the program - except for the toilet/showerhead requirement - and agree to remain on that rate for at least four years will be able to apply for this TRP.
- Application packages will not be distributed in bulk to anyone. Owners must make individual requests.
- When the toilets have been replaced, the licensed master plumber (or owner's agent) shall submit a package including: 1) Toilet Drop-off Recipient (similar to the last program), 2) a copy of the detailed licensed plumber's invoice to the owner, and 3), a list of the apartments where new toilets have been installed. This list shall be on the licensed plumber's letterhead and shall also list the name and social security numbers of the installers and a signed/sealed statement agreeing to provide copies of payroll records should DEP demand to see them.
- DEP may require submission of a copy of the owners's cancelled check, credit card statement or other proof of at least partial payment to the licensed plumber.
- Licensed plumbers who were removed from the last rebate program, in addition to those debarred from bidding on city, state or federal contracts will be prohibited from participating.
- All work must be completed within 180 days of the application approval letter, or the funds for the project may be reallocated to someone else, if demand is sufficiently high.
Most of the other procedures from the first TRP will be retained for the new program.
Sources of Information on Toilet Performance
The October 2002 issue of Consumer Reports includes a new review of mostly pressurized-tank and vacuum assisted toilets. Perhaps more importantly, the National Association of Home Builders Research Association has published its long-awaited testing results of a much wider range of toilet models. This work was performed in conjunction with several water utilities. The entire report can be downloaded from the web pages at www.nahbrc.org and www.savingwater.org.
|
