WaterSense Toilet Rebate Program FAQ

All City of Raleigh water and sewer customers are eligible to receive rebates on WaterSense toilets.

This includes all residential, business, commercial and institutional water/sewer customers located in Raleigh, Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell and Zebulon.

Note: If you do not get your water or sewer from the City of Raleigh then you are not eligible to receive a rebate.

No, you may not get a rebate from the City of Raleigh; however, you may find it is still beneficial it to replace your old toilet with a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense labeled toilet due to the potential water savings.

Contact your water service providers to find out what programs they offer.

Only EPA WaterSense labeled toilets are eligible for a rebate under this program.

To find a list of eligible toilets please review the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense Product Search for eligible model numbers.

When referring to the list of eligible toilets, use the Model # as the EPA # and not the Model Name on the Toilet Rebate Application. It is up to the applicant to ensure they have purchased an eligible toilet.

Most importantly look for the WaterSense label when you purchase your toilet. The label should be on the box.

WaterSense these toilets can be purchased through any of our local supporters:

Home Depot
Ferguson Bath, Lighting and Kitchen Gallery
Carolina Decorative Plumbing
Streamline Plumbing & Electric, Inc

Rebates are given to the applicants as checks and not as credits to the water bill. Checks are made payable to the designated party on the application. Business applications will be made to the business name unless otherwise specified.

Upon approval of your application you should allow six to eight weeks for your rebate check to be mailed.

The City's WaterSense Toilet Rebate Program started April 7, 2009 when Council approved $500,000 to be placed in an incentive fund available for toilet rebates. The program will last until funds are exhausted.

Sometimes you can tell by the age of your toilet. Toilets installed after 1994 are all low-flow toilets and use 1.6 gallons per flush.

To check the date of your toilet, remove the lid on the tank and look for the date stamp on the inside back wall of the tank or you can measure and calculate the size of your tank. Follow these steps (measure in inches):

To calculate your flush volume, use the following formula:

Gallons per Flush = (Length x Width x Water Depth)/231

1. Measure the inside length of the tank. This is "Length" in the calculation.
2. Measure the inside width of the tank. This is "Width" in the calculation.
3. Place a ruler in the tank and measure the water depth when the toilet is full; flush the toilet, and measure the tank level at its lowest. The difference between these two levels is "Water Depth" in the calculation.

For example, if Length = 19 inches, Width = 7.25 inches, and Water Depth = 6 inches, the toilet volume is 19 x 7.25 x 6 = 826.5 cubic inches per flush.

Then divide the number of cubic inches by 231 to get the volume in gallons. 826.5 cubic inches divided by 231 = 3.57 gallons per flush.

Maybe. Low flow toilets are not necessarily WaterSense labeled toilets. If your low-flow toilet is not a WaterSense labeled toilet (you would know if it is) then you may participate by replacing your low-flow toilet with a WaterSense toilet. However, the City suggests you refer to the potential savings guide within the Toilet Rebate Brochure (pdf) to see if the savings are worthwhile.

No, only EPA WaterSense Labeled toilets are eligible for a rebate.

WaterSense labeled toilets are independently certified to use 20 percent less water than the current Federal standard and have a high flushing power. WaterSense labeled toilets use approximately 1.28 gallons per flush or less; the current Federal standard is 1.6 gallons per flush.

The original receipt is required to process your application. No copies or exceptions will be accepted.

If you are planning to purchase several items, it would be best to purchase the toilet separately because the original receipt submitted with your application will not be returned to you.

To be classified as an original receipt the invoice must include the following:

• Company's letterhead
• Invoice number
• Purchase Date
• Toilet brand name, model name, model number
• Purchase price

Yes, if you replace multiple toilets within your home, you may apply for a rebate for each toilet.

However, you are only allowed one application per water account. Therefore, all toilets must be replaced before you submitt your application or subsequent applications will be denied.

Exceptions may apply to property managers and individuals with low incomes. Program Guidelines may change at any time so please stay tuned to the website for more information.

Yes, however you must provide consent from the water account customer to use their consumption data for program monitoring.

There are several different applications that allow various types of applicants to receive the rebate check, including if the applicant is not on the water and sewer account. Please ensure you submit the correct application to meet your needs.

No. You may choose to replace the toilet yourself.

However, if you have a licensed plumber complete the installation and you include the proper documentation with your Toilet Rebate Application, you may not need an inspection.

Proper documentation for installation by a licensed plumber includes the following information.

• Plumber's contact information
• Plumbing company name
• NC license number
• Installation date & location
• The WaterSense toilet's brand and model numbers (must match the those on the application)

The City of Raleigh reserves the right to inspect the installation of WaterSense labeled toilets submitted for this rebate program to verify their installation and the toilet's eligibility.

There is no fee for the inspection and they generally take less than ten minutes.

Possibly. Toilets purchased on or after April 7th, 2009 may be eligible for a rebate, provided that the applicant meets the other criteria listed in the Program Guidelines.

Measurements of the old toilet's tank are required for the application. If you are unable to provide these measurements, please call the Public Utilities Department for additional options.

No. You do not need a permit to change only your toilet even if this is for a large property changing multiple toilets.

A high-efficiency toilet (HET) is defined as a fixture that flushes 20 percent less water than the current Federal standard of 1.6 gallons per flush. A high-efficiency toilet uses 1.28 gallons per flush or less.

No. All of the High Efficiency Toilets on the approved list have been performance tested to help eliminate this problem. However, the City recommends that each customer do the proper research before purchasing their toilet to insure they get the best toilet to meet their needs.

Due to staff constraints, it is not possible to notify all applicants when they have been approved.

However, if your application is missing information or not approved, you will be notified.

If you have not received any form of notification after six to eight weeks from submitting your application you may check the status of your rebate by emailing Cinnamon Black or calling the Public Utilities Department.

Please have the following information ready when checking on the status of your rebate.

• Your name
• Your address
• Your phone number
• The date you submitted your application

The City is currently searching for a company to recycle the old toilets but a program has not yet been created.

Some 1.6 gallon flush toilets may be accepted by Habitat for Humanity on an individual basis; please contact Habitat for Humanity before delivering any toilets.

All applicants must dispose of their old toilets properly.

Toilets from Raleigh residents may be picked up for free as part of the City's Bulky Load Pick-Up Service. Leaving the old toilet at the curb without calling for a Bulky Load Pick-up may result in a fine by the City.

Applicants not eligible for this Bulky Load Pick-Up service will need to make other disposal arrangements.

This program is currently being created by our Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) volunteer, Evan Keto. Please contact Evan Keto for more information on how you can help with this program.