The first step to conserving water and saving money on water and wastewater bills is making sure you have efficient plumbing fixtures.  With toilets accounting for about one-third of indoor water use, replacing older, high water use toilets with high-efficiency models is one of the best ways to save water.

Upgrading to a high-efficiency toilet can reduce your total indoor water use by roughly 16%. That's an annual water savings of 20,000 gallons per year for a family of four! Whether you're looking for ways to save money in your home or business, or are managing a multi-family property, high-efficiency toilets can help achieve significant water savings.

ULFT vs. HET?

It has been more than a decade since Federal laws mandated that the toilet flush volume for models sold in the United States could not exceed 1.6 gallons per flush. These models are called Ultra-Low Flush toilets and they are the highest flow models available on the market today. Prior to this standard, toilets flushed at 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush (gpf).

High-Efficiency Toilets (HETs) are defined as fixtures that flush at 20 percent below the 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) U.S. maximum or less, equating to a maximum of 1.28 gpf. The HET category includes dual-flush toilets which have two separate flush volume options. By the year 2014, high-efficiency toilets will be the standard. The SFPUC provides rebates for only 1.28 gpf and lower models on our approved list and no longer rebates 1.6 gpf toilets.

You are eligible for a rebate if:

• The property where the toilet installed has a SFPUC service address.
• You are a SFPUC residential single-family or multi-family account holder or live in multi-family housing (i.e. townhouse, condominium) and pay your water bill through rental costs or home owner association dues.
• You are replacing a toilet flushing at 3.5 gallons per flush or more with a 1.28 gpf toilet. The SFPUC does not provide rebates for 1.6 gpf toilets.
• You have scheduled a pre-purchase inspection for any site where 10 or more toilets are being replaced, have previously received toilet replacement incentives or are planning on remodeling entire building.

To Apply
Download the SFPUC Water Conservation Residential HET Rebate Application and List of Approved Toilets below and complete the application, tracking sheet, W-9 and return with the original receipts, original UPC barcode labels and copy of current water bill to the mailing address listed on the form. An on-site inspection may be required to receive approval. The name and address you provide on the rebate application must match the name and address you provide on your W-9 form. If you apply for more than one rebate in a calendar year, you must use the same name and address on each rebate application and this information must match your W-9.

Funding is limited and rebates are available on a first come, first served basis. Toilets must be installed and rebate applications must be postmarked within 60 days of the purchase date. The SFPUC reserves the right to inspect the installations. It generally takes up to 12 weeks for processing after all applicant requirements have been met. 

Only SFPUC Water Conservation Program-approved toilets qualify for rebates.  To obtain a current list of qualifying models and their rebate amounts, please review the SFPUC List of Qualifying High-Efficiency Toilets (HETs) below.

For questions or guidance on rebate application procedures, call (415) 551-4730 or e-mail waterconservation@sfwater.org.