COUNTYWIDE : Toilet Exchange Tested in 2 Cities

A toilet exchange program designed to save water is being tested in Stanton and Placentia, and it could be expanded to other parts of the county, according the Municipal Water District of Orange County.

The pilot program is distributing 2,500 toilets, for free, that use just 1.6 gallons per flush.

The program is intended for low-income residents, said Joe Berg, conservation coordinator for the Municipal Water District.

A family of four that uses the new toilet could save more than $16,000 gallons of water a year and also $15 on their water bill, according to Berg.

Older toilets may use up to seven gallons per flush, Berg said.

Water utilities will save too, as they will not have to purchase as much water from suppliers outside the county, Berg said. Some county water comes from as far away as Arizona.

The exchange program could save a total of more than 20 million gallons of water annually in Placentia and Stanton.

More than 250 new toilets were distributed Oct. 16 at the Stanton Boys & Girls Club, club director Neal Hopkins said.

Recipients are asked to turn in their old toilets, which will be crushed and used in road base material. The Boys and Girls Club will receive $15 for each toilet that is recycled.

The Orange County Community Development Council is planning to distribute free toilets Nov. 13 in Placentia. That group also will receive $15 for each old toilet it collects.

The new toilets are not difficult to install, said Keith Coolidge, a spokesman for the Municipal Water District. Participants will receive hold-down bolts and installation instructions with their new toilets.

Hopkins said those who got the toilets in Stanton were not daunted by the task of removing the old toilets and putting in the new ones.

“Most of the people who have picked them up seem to have somebody that can do it,” Hopkins said. “Even with the seniors, their sons or grandsons came down and helped them out.”

Hopkins said he also has a list of plumbers who have offered to do the work at reduced rates.

Low-income residents were targeted with the help of census data, Hopkins said. Volunteers went door-to-door in selected neighborhoods to announce the program.

The exchange program is sponsored by the Southern California Water/Energy Conservation Partnership, a coalition of 10 water and energy organizations. The goal is to distribute 1,500 toilets in Stanton and 1,000 in Placentia.

When people turn in their old toilets, they receive free low-flow shower heads, a shower bucket and light bulbs, Hopkins said.

Those who want the free toilets should call the Boys & Girls Club or the development council. The program will continue until 2,500 toilets are given out.

The Boys & Girls Club phone number is (714) 891-0740. The development council can be reached at (714) 897-6670.