LVMWD lowers water rebates

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District announced a revised rebate schedule for customers who purchase qualifying high-efficiency clothes washers, high efficiency toilets, weather-based irrigation controllers and watersaving sprinkler heads.

For a new qualifying washing machine, the buyer may now receive a $135 refund against their purchase.

"Our previous program of $300 washer rebates relied on supplemental state grant funding," said Randal Orton, resource conservation administrator for the water district. "Unfortunately, the state budget crisis has brought an end to that program. However, we have recently seen a decrease in prices on some qualifying models, which may serve to offset the change in the rebate amount."

Homes and businesses that replace older high-flow toilets with specified high efficiency (1.28 gallons per flush) models will receive $100 each, or up to $140 per unit replaced if changing all the units in a home or business at one time.

Rebates on new "smart" weather-based irrigation controllers begin at $80 and increase depending on the number of stations controlled.

Property owners can claim $4 for each sprinkler that is replaced with a qualifying head.

Older toilets, washing machines, irrigation controllers and sprinkler heads are a significant drain on water resources. Newer units can dramatically reduce water consumption, yet be fully effective in their respective functions.

A new clothes washer can save up to 30 or more gallons per load. Besides using less water, it also requires reduced amounts of detergent and up to 50 percent less energy. In addition, clothes washed in a high efficiency washer require less time in a dryer, saving additional energy.

Prior to making a purchase, customers should examine the details of the offer, which can be found at the websites www.LVMWD.com and www.bewaterwise.com.

Consumers may also call Customer Service at (818) 251-2200 during regular business hours.

Only certain models or types of water-saving equipment qualify for the district's rebates, so customers are encouraged to research models before making a purchase.

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District serves some 22,000 customers in the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village and adjacent unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.