Ultra-Low Flush Toilet Distribution Program
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Ultra-Low Flush Toilet Distribution Program

The connection between Mono Lake and Los Angeles necessitates intelligent water use in Southern California.

The Ultra-Low Flush Toilet Distribution Program in Los Angeles allowed Los Angeles residents an opportunity to receive free low-flush toilets, which help them conserve water and money while they help protect Mono Lake by limiting their water consumption.free toilets sign

The program was sponsored by the Metropolitan Water District and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (DWP). The program distributed free 1.6-gallon-per-flush toilets to DWP customers. Community-based organizations in Los Angeles handled the actual distribution of toilets to DWP customers throughout the inner city of Los Angeles.

The program began in 1990 and was discontinued in 2006 after 90% of the toilets were replaced. The remaining wasteful toilets will be replaced over time as properties change hands. The city has a "retrofit on resale" ordinance requiring ultra-low flush toilets and low-flow showerheads in all residential properties prior to resale.

 
 
1.3 million toilets replaced

This program was discontinued in December 2006 after converting 90% of the single-family residential toilets in DWP's service area. The rebate and exchange programs replaced nearly 1.3 million water-wasting toilets with ultra-low flush toilets, making the city's conservation effort one of the most successful in the nation. Now water conservation is part of the city's infrastructure, saving over 43,000 acre-feet annually from this program alone!