CAMARILLO : Rebates Considered for Low-Flow Toilets

The Camarillo City Council is expected to approve a second low-flow toilet rebate program for city residents tonight.

“Conserved water is the cheapest water,” said John W. Elwell, director of community service.

If the program is approved at the City Council meeting, Camarillo will have enough money to offer a $100 rebate for 1,500 toilets that are converted to low-flow.

Last year, more than 1,000 of Camarillo’s 8,600 water customers took advantage of the program, Elwell said.

“Just because the drought is over doesn’t mean we want to stop conserving,” said Tom Smith, the city’s water manager. “It’s a simple thing for people to do. Imported water is expensive.”

The Metropolitan Water District and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will pay for most of the rebate program. Camarillo will have to contribute $18,000.

The city will also waive the $25 fee usually required when plumbing improvements are made. Elwell said low-flush toilets range in price from $75 to $400. The new toilets use about 1 1/2 gallons per flush, while the regular ones use five gallons each time.

Customers will receive a $50 rebate for the second and subsequent low-flush toilets installed.

The city, which will pick up and recycle the discarded toilets, hopes to save more than 1 million gallons of water a year through the program.

The council will consider the issue at its 5 p.m. meeting today at Camarillo City Hall, 601 Carmen Drive.