Low-Flow Toilet Replacement Rebate Program

Effective May 28, 2012, the City of Peterborough is launching the Low-flow Toilet Replacement Rebate Program.

Program details are provided below:

• What is this Rebate Program about?
• Am I eligible for a rebate?
• What if I am on municipal water but have a septic bed? Can I get a rebate?
• How do I apply for the rebate?
• What types of toilets are eligible for the rebate?
• What are WaterSense labelled toilets?
• Where can I find a WaterSense labelled toilet?
• How will I receive my rebate?
• When will I receive my rebate cheque?
• How long does the program last?
• Can I participate if I already have a low-flow toilet?
• If I purchased a 6 litre toilet, am I eligible for a rebate?
• What if I do not have my original receipt or invoice?
• Can I apply for more than one toilet rebate?
• Do I have to have a plumber install the toilet?
• What is an inspection? Is there a fee?
• If I have already installed the toilet(s), can I get a rebate?
• I have not received my rebate cheque or confirmation that my application was approved.
• Warranties
• What do I do with my old toilet?
• What else can I do to conserve municipal water?

What is this Rebate Program about?

Toilets account for nearly 30% of residential indoor water consumption. Toilets are also a major source of wasted water due to leaks or inefficiency. The program is offering a $50.00 rebate per toilet for the purchase of up to two “WaterSense” labelled low-flow toilets that are replacing existing, less efficient toilets. The rebate is available exclusively for residential units located within the City of Peterborough that are connected to both the municipal water and the municipal sanitary sewer system.

A maximum of 2 rebates per residential unit is permitted. The program is open to all residential housing types including single family up to multi-residential units. Multi-unit residential/apartments must register with the City for eligibility before replacing their toilets. 

Am I eligible for a rebate?

To be eligible for the rebate, the Applicant must:

• Have purchased the toilet as of April 12, 2012 or later. Purchases prior to April 12, 2012 are not eligible for the rebate.
• Program available to household units located within the City of Peterborough.
• Residential unit must be connected to both the municipal water and municipal sewer system.
• Rebate of $50.00 per replacement WaterSense labelled low-flow toilet.
• Limit two rebates per residential address or unit.
• Applicant must provide the original sales receipt with the completed rebate application form.
• The toilet must be installed to claim the rebate.
• Toilets installed with new construction or renovations that require a plumbing permit are not eligible. Toilets must be replacement toilets.
• The City of Peterborough reserves the right to arrange an inspection of your newly installed toilet.
• Rebates will be available on a first come, first served basis until the budget allotment has been exhausted or the program ends on December 13, 2013. Submission of an application does not guarantee a rebate.
• The program does not apply to new construction, or new bathroom additions; it must be a replacement toilet.

What if I am on municipal water but have a septic bed? Can I get a rebate?

No, you may not get a rebate from the City of Peterborough; however with the installation of water meters, you may find it still beneficial to replace your old toilet with a WaterSense labelled toilet to save on water. 

How do I apply for the rebate?

• Prior to purchasing a replacement toilet, confirm that it is a WaterSense labelled toilet.
• Once you have purchased and installed the WaterSense toilet, print off a rebate application form.
• Completely fill in the form to ensure that the City may process your rebate application.
• Read the Terms and Conditions on page 2 of the application, then sign and date the application form.
• Mail or deliver the completed application with the original receipt to:

Contact Information

City of Peterborough Sustainability Office
500 George Street North,
Peterborough, ON K9H 3R9
Phone: 705- 742-7777 ext. 1441
Fax: 705-748-8824
Email: Mkawalec@peterborough.ca  
Web Site: www.peterborough.ca  

The application and issuance of a cheque will take six to eight weeks. The rebate cheque will be sent in the mail.

What types of toilets are eligible for the rebate?

Only WaterSense labelled toilets are eligible for a rebate under this program. To find a list of WaterSense approved toilets, click on any of the WaterSense links. It is up to the applicant to ensure they have purchased an eligible toilet.

Look for the WaterSense label on the box when you purchase your toilet to ensure you are purchasing a toilet that qualifies for the City’s rebate program. 

What are WaterSense labelled toilets?

WaterSense is a program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The WaterSense label is used on toilets that are certified by independent laboratory testing to meet rigorous criteria for both performance and efficiency. Only high-efficiency toilets that complete the third-party certification process can earn the WaterSense label. WaterSense labelled toilets combine high efficiency with high performance. Design advances enable WaterSense labelled toilets to save water with no trade-off in flushing power.

Where can I find a WaterSense labelled toilet?

WaterSense labelled toilets are available at many area retailers. Look for the WaterSense label on the box. 

How will I receive my rebate?

Rebates are given to approved applicants as cheques and not as a credit to a water bill. Cheques will be made payable to the person on the application. Allow six to eight weeks for your rebate cheque to be mailed. 

When will I receive my rebate cheque?

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

How long does the program last?

The Low-flow Toilet Replacement Rebate Program started on May 28, 2012. The program lasts until December 13, 2013 or until the approved funds are exhausted. The City of Peterborough reserves the right to alter or discontinue the program at any time. Submission of an application does not guarantee a rebate.

Can I participate if I already have a low-flow toilet?

Yes. Low flow toilets are not necessarily WaterSense labelled toilets. If your low-flow toilet is not a WaterSense labelled toilet then you may participate by replacing your low-flow toilet with a water efficient WaterSense toilet.

If I purchased a 6 litre toilet, am I eligible for a rebate?

You are eligible for a rebate if the toilet is a WaterSense labelled toilets. In Ontario, only 6 litre toilets are allowed to be sold for residential use, however, not all 6 litre toilets are water efficient. Only WaterSense approved toilets are eligible for the $50.00 rebate. If the toilet is not a WaterSense labelled toilet, you are not eligible for the rebate. 

What if I do not have my original receipt or invoice?

The original receipt or invoice is required to process your application. No copies or exceptions will be applied. The original receipt or invoice will not be returned to you.

For invoices to be classified as an original receipt it must have the following:

• Company’s letterhead
• Invoice number
• Purchase date
• Toilet brand name, model name, and model number
• Purchase price

Can I apply for more than one toilet rebate?

Yes, you may apply for a maximum of two toilet rebates per residential unit. The application has space for two units.

Do I have to have a plumber install the toilet?

No, you may choose to replace the toilet yourself. If the installation is provided by a licensed plumber, an inspection may not be necessary; however, the applicant must include a copy of the receipt from the licensed plumber containing the following information:

• Plumber’s contact details
• Company name
• Installation date & location
• Toilet’s brand, model name, model numbers

What is an inspection? Is there a fee?

The City of Peterborough reserves the right to inspect the installation of WaterSense labelled 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.

If I have already installed the toilet(s), can I get a rebate?

Possibly. Toilets purchased on or after April 12, 2012 may be eligible for a rebate if the applicant meets all of the eligibility criteria.

I have not received my rebate cheque or confirmation that my application was approved.

Due to staff constraints, it may not be possible to notify all applicants when their rebate application has 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 on the status of your rebate by emailing Mkawalec@peterborough.ca or calling the Sustainability Office at 705-742-7777 ext. 1441.

Warranties

That the City of Peterborough does not guarantee or warranty (i) the performance of any toilet; (ii) that its installation will be free of defects; (iii) the quality of workmanship.

What do I do with my old toilet?

All applicants must dispose of their old toilets properly. You have two options:

• You can self haul your toilet to the Peterborough Landfill Site located at 1260 Bensfort Road for recycling as a construction and demolition material. A small fee will apply. Check out the landfill web site for details.
• If possible, separate the tank from the base of the toilet. Set the toilet fixtures out to the curb on your regular collection day. The tank and the base will each be counted as a garbage unit. Remember you are only entitled to two garbage bags/garbage units per week, so plan not to go over your 2 bag/unit weekly limit. You may need to spread out the disposal of your toilet over two weeks, if you are also setting out one bag of garbage.

What else can I do to conserve municipal water?

In order to save additional water:

• Use a wastebasket for tissues and trash instead of flushing them down the toilet.
• Keep your toilet in top running condition. If you touch the flapper and get black ‘goo’ on your hand, the flapper needs to be replaced.
• Test for leaks by putting a few drops of some coloured liquid (such as coffee or tea) in your tank and wait ten minutes. If, without flushing, the colour begins to appear in the bowl, you have a leak, which should be repaired immediately.
• Look for the EPA’s new WaterSense label and visit their website when shopping for high-efficiency toilets, landscape irrigation services, irrigation control technologies, showerheads, and more!
• Install a rain sensor for your home irrigation system if you do not have one. This is probably the easiest action you can take to save the most water.

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