Retrofitting / Replacing Old Fixtures

Local water providers are required to implement a program to speed the conversion of older, inefficient plumbing fixtures to current code low-flow models. Toilet replacement must be specifically addressed in the program. Local water providers may choose the type of program that best fits their system such as direct installs, rebate incentives or any other program that provides at least the same rate of replacement.

This water conservation measure will be enhanced in the future, as the technology for high efficiency toilets (HETs) matures. HETs are a relatively new technology and are not as widely available as 1.6 gpf toilets. By 2014 the technology is expected to be widely available to the Metro Water District and local water providers will be required to provide only 1.28 gpf toilet rebates, either through the Metro Water District rebate program or their own local program.

Older fixtures use more water than new, efficient fixtures. Homes built in or prior to 1993 may contain inefficient fixtures. Toilets are targeted because toilets are the largest consumers of water in the home with 15 percent of total use. Although there is some natural replacement through remodeling, retrofit programs will speed up the natural rate of fixture replacement.

Before the 1950s, toilets typically used 7 gallons or more for each flush. By the end of the 1960s, toilets were designed to flush with only 5.5 gallons, and in the 1980s the new toilets being installed were using only 3.5 gallons. Today, a new toilet uses no more than 1.6 gallons of water and high efficiency toilets (HETs) use no more than 1.28 gallons of water per flush. Replacing an inefficient toilet with a low flow model will conserve water.