Water Conservation Programs ( continued )
TOILET REPLACEMENT PROGRAM ( MUNICIPAL )
In August 2015 , the Water Conservation Section launched a new program to replace inefficient plumbing fixtures throughout city-owned buildings and schools . The new Water-Efficient Fixture Improvement Program ( WeFix ) offers free replacement of qualifying toilets and urinals with high-efficiency models . The SFPUC partnered with San Francisco Public Works to replace 173 inefficient toilets and 66 inefficient urinals .
TOILET AND URINAL REBATES
The SFPUC provided 3,608 rebates to customers who replaced old , inefficient toilets that used 3.5 gallons per flush ( gpf ) or more with new HETs that have a maximum flush volume of 1.28 gpf . Toilet rebates ranged from $ 125 for tank toilet models to up to $ 500 for flushometer toilet models . In addition , 114 urinal rebates were provided to customers of up to $ 500 for each replacement of urinals flushing 1.5 gpf or more with qualifying high-efficiency urinals that use 0.5 gpf or less . The toilet and urinal rebate programs will end on December 31 , 2016 .
COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT RETROFIT GRANT PROGRAM
The Commercial Equipment Retrofit Grant Program provides businesses funding to implement on-site equipment efficiency upgrades . In FY 2015-16 , the program provided incentives for a medical facility cold room efficiency project , a university laboratory steam sterilizer replacement , and a dental office dry vacuum pump retrofit . The combined estimated water savings of these three projects is 3.3 million gallons of water per year .
FREE HIGH-EFFICIENCY PLUMBING DEVICES
The SFPUC provided 20,632 water-efficient showerheads , faucet aerators , garden spray hose nozzles , and toilet leak repair parts to help residential and commercial properties achieve immediate water savings . All retail customers are eligible to receive free plumbing devices during a Water-Wise Evaluation . Single family and multi-family customers under 10 units can also pick up select devices from SFPUC ’ s headquarters located at 525 Golden Gate Avenue , 1st floor in San Francisco .
CLOTHES WASHER REBATES
The SFPUC continued to partner with Bay Area water agencies and Pacific Gas and Electric Company ( PG & E ) to provide a combined rebate of $ 150 per washer for the purchase and installation of 1,571 qualifying Energy Star Most Efficient clothes washers in SFPUC ’ s retail service area . The SFPUC also provided 211 rebates of up to $ 500 per washer to customers installing qualifying coin-operated , high-efficiency , commercial-style clothes washers .
SFPUC retail customers are eligible to receive free EPA WaterSense ® labeled devices . WaterSense ® devices are tested for quality performance and have lower flow rates than the federal standards .
10