3. RATIFY ELIMINATION OF WATER CREDIT FOR ½
GALLON TOILETS
Meeting Date: August 28, 2003 Budgeted: NA
Program/Line
Item No.: NA
Staff Contact: Stephanie Pintar Cost
Estimate: NA
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Water Demand Committee considered the
item on August 21, 2003 and recommended approval.
SUMMARY: On August 21, 2003, the Board Chairman, Director Henson, directed staff to immediately suspend water credits for ½ gallon per flush toilets due to the negative feedback received from users of these fixtures. Staff was directed to continue processing complete water permit applications that had been received prior to August 22, 2003, but to refuse any future applications that propose the ½ gallon fixtures to offset new water uses. Applicants still have the option of installing a one-gallon per flush toilet for a slightly lower water credit value.
Feedback from a recent survey conducted by the District to determine the effectiveness and overall satisfaction with the ½ gallon toilets was resoundingly negative. Complaints ranged from performance to repair issues. Specifically, there are problems with “splash back” of toilet contents, repair costs and unfamiliarity of plumbers with the ½ gallon toilets, air compressor noise and the inability to use the toilet during electrical outages. Although responses to the survey are still being received and compiled, the District provided the preliminary results to the Water Demand Committee on August 21, 2003.
RECOMMENDATION: If adopted with the Consent Calendar, this item will ratify action of the Board Chairman to delete the water credit for ½ gallon toilets from the list of water use credits available to offset new water fixtures. The Water Demand Committee recommended support of this action.
BACKGROUND: The Board originally approved a list of water credits in October 1992. Staff was given the discretion to amend the list from time to time after reviewing new products. The ½ gallon toilet was added to the list in 1994, but was not widely used until the jurisdictions’ water accounts dwindled.
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