News Release
San Diego County Water Authority
News Release: May 23, 2008 |
Contact:
John Liarakos
Office (858) 522-6703
Mobile (858) 761-2544 |
or
Craig Balben
Office (858) 522-6726 |
Saving water and money
Last chance for point-of-purchase voucher discounts
Water Authority announces shift to rebates July 1
Point-of-purchase vouchers currently offered by the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies to reduce out-of-pocket cost when purchasing water-efficient equipment will only be honored until June 30. Beginning July 1, customers will use rebate applications to receive incentive discounts.
The change applies to single-family, multifamily, commercial, industrial, and institutional properties that purchase authorized indoor water-saving products, ranging from toilets and urinals to HVAC system pH conductivity controllers and clothes washers.
Single-family homeowners who purchase irrigation efficiency with smart controllers, rotating irrigation nozzles, and artificial turf are also affected.
“We’re continuing our commitment to help residents and businesses increase their water efficiency,” says Toby Roy, Water Resources Manager of the Water Authority. “We’ll be joining the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s rebate programs on July 1, which will increase the amount of funding available in San Diego County.”
An exception to the June 30 deadline is the Water Authority’s vouchers for smart irrigation controllers offered to multifamily, commercial, industrial, and institutional properties. These water customers may continue to request and use the point-of-purchase voucher discount.
Additional information is available by calling 1-800-986-4538, or online at
www.20gallonchallenge.com.
Qualifying Devices
Restrooms, commercial kitchens, and HVAC systems are prime candidates for reducing
water-related expenses through the installation of water-saving technologies
and equipment.
Toilets and urinals that reduce water use by more than 60 % qualify for incentives ranging from $135 to $400 per fixture, says Roy.
Cooling tower conductivity controllers that automate and maintain pH levels can save thousands of dollars per year in reduced water and energy expenses with incentives worth up to $1,900 to help offset the purchase price.
In commercial kitchens, pre-rinse spray valves used in dishwashing are a great source of energy and water savings. According to the Water Authority, the $60 incentive should cover the full cost of new, water-efficient models.
Conservation Works
Conservation efforts at homes and businesses provide the region’s least expensive
source of additional water supply. The Water Authority is counting on conservation
to significantly reduce imported water demand by approximately 108,000 acre-feet
in 2008. The goal includes savings from its 20 Gallon Challenge campaign.
Currently, conservation accounts for 7 percent of the Water Authority’s water
supply, and it is expected to increase to 11 percent by 2020. The Water Authority’s
20 Gallon Challenge campaign is helping reach the goal.
“Using water efficiently must be a permanent and increasing way of life for
everyone in the San Diego region,” said Roy. “Last year, conservation savings
in the Water Authority’s service area totaled over 17 billion gallons,” she
adds.
The Water Authority has offered conservation incentives for 16 years and counts
more than 526,200 acre-feet of water saved. It credits the replacement of water-guzzling
fixtures like toilets, urinals, and clothes washers with the year-to-year savings
critical to the region.
Water Supply Challenges
Up to ninety percent of San Diego County’s water supply is imported either from
the Colorado River or from the Bay-Delta through the State Water Project. These
supplies have been cut.
Court-ordered restrictions on pumping operations in the Bay-Delta in Northern
California have reduced water deliveries to Southern California and are rapidly
depleting storage reserves across the state.
These restrictions, coupled with continuing dry conditions this year on the
State Water Project, as well as reduced storage levels on the Colorado River
caused by eight years of drought; make it imperative for all of us to save water.
To learn more about the region’s water supply challenges, visit www.20gallonchallenge.com.
Irrigation Incentives
The region’s irrigation appetite accounts for more than 60% of water use and
is a focus for efficiency improvements.
To tally up irrigation savings, residential property owners are encouraged
take advantage of incentives for smart controllers, rotating nozzles, and artificial
turf. Commercial and multifamily sites are also eligible for artificial turf
incentives.
Ongoing maintenance and water expense savings are significant when properties
trade turf for more water-efficient landscapes or artificial turf. And rebates
starting at $.50 per square foot of artificial turf are on the Water Authority’s
incentives list.
Are you eligible?
Although some restrictions and limitations may apply, incentives are generally
available for customers of the following participating water agencies: Carlsbad
Municipal Water District, City of Del Mar, City of Escondido, Fallbrook Public
Utility District , Helix Water District, Lakeside Water District, City of Oceanside,
Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Otay Water District, Padre Dam Municipal
Water District, City of Poway, Rainbow Municipal Water District, Ramona Municipal
Water District, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District, City of San Diego,
San Dieguito Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District, Sweetwater Authority,
Vallecitos Water District, Valley Center Municipal Water District, Vista Irrigation
District, and Yuima Municipal Water District.
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The San Diego County Water Authority is a public agency serving the San Diego region as a wholesale supplier of water from the Colorado River and Northern California. The Water Authority works through its 24 member agencies to provide a safe, reliable water supply to support the region’s $157 billion economy and the quality of life of 3 million residents.
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