WaterSense Toilet Rebate Program

The program will run from July 1, 2011 to June 1, 2012 or until funds are exhausted.

All toilets must be installed and applications postmarked by the closing date of June 1, 2012.

Note: The toilet rebate program is subject to change or may terminate at any time without prior notice.  Any pending applications processed at the time funds are exhausted will be denied, and the applicant will not be entitled to reimbursement.

To qualify, applicants must:

1. Be a City of Raleigh water or sewer customer.  This includes residential and non-residential (commercial, industrial or institutional) customers of the following municipalities:  Raleigh, Wendell, Garner, Rolesville, Knightdale, Zebulon, or Wake Forest.
2. Be current in their utility bill and not owe any past due fees.
3. Record the measurements of their old toilet's tank; these must be included in the application.  More details are given further down this page.
4. Replace an old toilet with an EPA WaterSense labeled toilet.  The old toilet must have a flush volume of 1.6 gallons or higher.  New toilet installations are not covered in this rebate nor are replacements for current WaterSense toilets.  WaterSense toilets must be installed before submitting a toilet rebate application.
5. Include the original receipt(s) for the toilet(s) dated on or after April 4, 2009.
6. Agree to a post-installation inspection to verify the toilet's eligibility.  Details are given in subsequent sections.
7. Submit application, receipt(s) and documents to the City of Raleigh for processing.  ONLY ONE APPLICATION IS ALLOWED PER WATER ACCOUNT, SOME EXCEPTIONS MAY APPLY.

Rebates cover the full cost of the new WaterSense labeled toilet up to $100.  Costs include the toilet bowl, tank, seat and tax; installation fees are not included.

Only EPA WaterSense labeled toilets are eligible for a rebate as these toilets are independently certified to be High Efficiency Toilets, using 20 percent less than the current federal standard of 1.6 gallons/flush, and they have a high flushing performance.

The Wake County Tax Data is used to determine how many toilets a home will be eligible for.  If your tax data is not correct, you will need to contact the Revenue Department at RevHelp@wakegov.com or call 919-856-5400.

For verification of eligibility, and statistical and monitoring purposes, each applicant is required to provide the measurements of the old toilet's tank.

All measurements must be recorded on the application.

Lift the tank lid and take these three measurements, in inches, from inside the tank.

• Length (inside the tank, left to right).
• Width (inside the tank, front to back).
• Depth of the Water Level = amount of water used from one flush.  If all the water is emptied from the tank in one flush then measure from the bottom of the tank to the water line.  If not, then calculate the change in water levels before and after one flush.

You may determine your old toilet's volume of gallons per flush (GPF) with the following equation:

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

If you currently have a water-displacing item within your tank, measure the water level with the item in place and make a note of having a water displacer in the comment section of the rebate application.

WaterSense toilets come in many colors, heights, varieties and styles including:

• gravity flush
• dual-flush
• flapperless
• pressure assisted flush
• and more

WaterSense toilets can also be sold as either a one-piece toilet or a two-piece (tank and bowl); it is the responsibilty of the customer to ensure that they purchase eligible corresponding tank and bowl.

To find a list of qualifying WaterSense labeled toilets, along with more information about the WaterSense program, please visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense Product Search.  This product list is updated periodically so stay tuned as new toilets become available.

Remember to look for the WaterSense logo, pictured above, to ensure you are purchasing a toilet that qualifies for the City of Raleigh's toilet rebate program.  WaterSense toilets are available at many are retailers, including Raleigh's local Program Supporters.

Applicants must submit an eligible original receipt to qualify for the program.  The original receipt, showing the purchase of your WaterSense toilet, must be included in the application to process your rebate.  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
• No copies allowed
• Must be clear that the item has been paid; may not state "Quote" or "Balance Due"

If your receipt does not have the toilet model numbers you must save the model number and UPC code from the box - this act does not necessarily guarantee your application will be successful.

Several Toilet Rebate Applications are available. Which application should you use?

Is the applicant both the home owner and water account holder?

• YES.  Use the Home Owner Application
• NO, I rent or the water account is in the Home Owner Association's name.  Use the Owner/Renter/Home Owner's Association Application

Is the applicant a business owner or manager?

• YES.  Use the Business Application

Is the applicant a plumber who provided a direct rebate for the water account holder?

• YES.  Use the Plumber Application

Is the applicant a property manager?

• YES.  Please contact the Public Utilities Department for a custom application

Note: If there is any confusion about your eligibility, please contact the Public Utilities Department.

1. Obtain the program guidelines and application.
2. Take measurements of the old toilet and record these.
3. Ensure accounts remain current.
4. Obtain required written consents.  Written consents may be required when the applicant is not the water account holder, when the applicant is a renter or tenant and not the property owner, or when the applicant is a licensed plumber who is not the water account holder.
5. Purchase a WaterSense toilet(s) and keep the original receipt.
6. Install toilet.  INSTALLATION MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED.
7. Complete all information on the toilet rebate application and attach original/itemized receipt to the toilet rebate application.  Incomplete applications may not be processed.
8. Mail documents to Toilet Rebate Program address via First Class Mail to 
   City of Raleigh
   c/o Toilet Rebate Program
   One Exchange Plaza, Suite 620
   Raleigh, NC 276021
9. Dispose of old toilet properly.

The City of Raleigh reserves the right to inspect the installation of WaterSense labeled toilets submitted for rebates through this program.

If the installation is provided by a licensed plumber, and documentation provided, this inspection may not be necessary.  The applicant must include a copy of the receipt from the licensed plumber containing 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)

If you need an inspection, Public Utilities will contact you to schedule the inspection.  You must first submit an application.

Before removing your old toilets, you MUST take the measurements.  Measurements taken from toilets which have been removed are not vaild.

Once the new toilet has been installed and your completed application has been submitted, you may dispose of your old toilet properly.

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.

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.  DO NOT DONATE TOILETS THAT USE MORE THAN 1.6 gpf TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY- THESE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!

Upon the arrival of a completed application, it takes eight weeks for an application to be processed.  You will not be contacted unless information or an inspection is needed.

Rebates will be given as checks and not as credit on the water bill, unless the water accounts are not current.  If the water account is not current, the rebate may be denied or given as a credit towards the water account.

Once approved, rebate checks will be mailed to approved applicants using the mailing address listed on the rebate application.  After an application is approved, please allow eight weeks for the rebate check to be mailed.  Due to staff and resource constraints, not all applicants will be informed when their application is received or approved.

The City of Raleigh makes no warranties or representations that the EPA WaterSense labeled toilets selected by the applicant will perform as represented by its manufacturer or seller. The City of Raleigh is not responsible for the work of the installer, whether a licensed plumber or otherwise.