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One of the state’s first water conservation incentive programs has hit a major milestone. Madison Water Utility started its Toilet Rebate Program in 2009, offering people $100 rebates to replace old, water-wasting toilets with high-efficiency WaterSense models. Ten years later, the program has saved an estimated 1 billion gallons of water.

“That is a big number,” says Madison Water Utility customer service supervisor Marie Van Aartsen, who oversees the program. “We’re excited to save such a large amount of such a precious resource. It stays in our aquifer for future generations.”

Madison Water Utility has issued $1.7 million in rebates since the program started to help home and business owners replace more than 17,000 old toilets. The program has saved participants about $5.7 million in water and sewer costs over the years. But Van Aartsen points out that replacing old toilets is about more than conserving water.

“It’s not just the water, but the energy it takes to get the water out of the ground and pumped out to all the homes and businesses in our community. It’s a second resource that we’re also saving,” she says.

The program has saved 2.2 million kilowatt hours of electricity so far, equivalent to the amount of electricity needed to power 276 Madison homes for a year.

Toilet Rebate Program Highlights:

  • 1.09 billion gallons of water saved
  • 17,126 old toilets replaced
  • $1.7 million in rebates issued
  • $5.7 million in water and sewer costs saved
  • 2.2 million kilowatt hours of energy saved, equivalent to the amount of electricity needed to power 276 Madison homes for a year.

The Toilet Rebate Program can be used for homes, businesses, apartment buildings, schools and non-profits in Madison. $100 bill credits are first-come, first-served until funding is exhausted.

“If you haven’t replaced a toilet, definitely look at our program,” says Van Aartsen. “It’s a great time to add it to the home projects list.”

Madison Water Utility customers can find more information about the program here.

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Live & Work