The Tweed Shire Council is keen to “flush out” the remaining older-style dual flush and single-flush toilets across the Tweed, by introducing a residential rebate.
From this week, households can receive a rebate of up to $200 per toilet suite to replace both the pan and the cistern with a whole new dual-flush unit.
“This rebate targets toilets in existing Tweed houses and could save a considerable amount of water, because many homes still have outdated and inefficient toilets,” Council’s Demand Management Program Leader, Elizabeth Seidl, said.
“These older-style toilets not only use more water, they are effectively flushing money down the drain.
“Replacing a typical single-flush unit with an efficient dual-flush alternative can save the average three-person household about 40,000 litres of water per year – which equates to an annual saving of $82.”
Single-flush toilets typically use about 12 litres per flush, compared to three litres per half flush and 4.5 litres per full flush for a new 4-star WELS rated dual flush suite.
“The annual saving will still be around 11,500 litres – or $25 – when switching from an outdated dual-flush toilet, which uses about 4.5 litres per half flush and nine litres per full flush,” Ms Seidl said.
She said a community survey conducted earlier this year – as part of a first year review of the Residential Water Saving Program – identified considerable support for a rebate or discount on dual-flush toilets.
Feedback from businesses and other non-residential water users participating in Council’s Top 20 and Top 100 water saving programs, as well as frequent customer enquiries, also suggested many water users still had outdated and inefficient single-flush and old-style dual-flush toilets.
“This new round of rebates is responding to the community’s considerable support for assistance to install dual-flush toilets, and implements another key part of Council’s Demand Management Strategy,” Ms Seidl said.
“We have backdated the rebate offer to July 1, 2012, so people who have purchased and installed an eligible toilet since then can submit an application to receive the assistance.”
There are a few criteria to qualify for the rebate, including the type of toilet installed, where it is purchased and who installs the suite.
They can be purchased from any plumber or plumbing/hardware retailer, as long as they are new and four-star WELS rated, and the plumber or retailer has provided a receipt or account/invoice for the purchase.
“A number of local retailers are offering the rebate at point of sale,” she said.
“Others will require payment up front, then the purchaser can lodge an application with Council for the rebate.”
For more information about rebate conditions, participating retailers and how to apply for the rebate, visit Council’s website www.tweed.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 6670 2400.
Council has also extended the existing Residential Water Saving Rebate for water-saving showers, aerators, spouts, mixers and flow controllers until June 30, 2013. Details are also available on Council’s website or by phoning council.
