Ultra-High Efficiency Toilet Rebate Program
Save water and money by increasing your water efficiency. All SFPUC customers with qualifying toilets can receive a rebate of up to $200 per toilet to replace toilets with new, ultra-high efficiency tank toilets.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The property where the new toilet(s) will be installed has an SFPUC water service account.
- The existing toilet(s) use 1.6 GPF (gallons per flush) or greater. More details about how to check the flush rate is linked below in the FAQ.
- The new toilet must be on the program’s Qualified Product List. No exceptions.
- Flushometer and dual flush type toilets are not eligible.
- Customers must purchase and install their toilet(s).
- If you are not the property owner or the water account holder, you will need to provide their written approval:
How to Participate:
Step 1: Review the Program Terms & Conditions and Release of Liability
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Terms and Conditions
- Qualifying toilets have a maximum flush volume of no more than 1.1 gallons per flush (gpf) and are U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense, Maximum Performance tested (MaP) Premium certified.
- The rebate is up to $100 per qualifying toilet with a maximum flush volume of up to 1.1gpf, or up to $200 per qualifying toilet with a maximum flush volume of 0.8 gpf.
- Applicant must submit an itemized proof of purchase that clearly shows the date of purchase, invoice/receipt number, make/model, quantity, cost per toilet, and total dollar amount of purchase. Receipts and/or invoices that do not include this information will be rejected.
- The rebate is limited to no more than two qualifying toilets per single-family properties or per multi-family dwelling unit.
- Commercial properties and common areas of multi-family properties may replace all qualifying toilets.
- The rebate amount for each toilet shall not exceed 100% of the toilet purchase price (not including sales tax, shipping, and/or installation costs).
- Toilet installations must meet all applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances.
- The SFPUC reserves the right to conduct post-project inspections or request visual proof of installation of new toilets to ensure program compliance.
- Applicants seeking a rebate to replace one (1) to four (4) toilets at one property must submit an application that includes proof of purchase documentation within 90 days of purchase to be considered eligible for the rebate.
- Applicants seeking a rebate to replace five (5) or more toilets at one property must submit initial application and then have an onsite pre-project and post-project inspection.
- Existing 1.6 gpf or higher toilets must be operable at the time of the pre-inspection.
- Upon successful completion of the pre- inspection, SFPUC staff will confirm program eligibility.
- The applicant must then complete their online application and provide proof of purchase and installation within 90 days of the pre-inspection.
- The SFPUC endeavors to issue a rebate check within 8 weeks of final approval of an eligible rebate.
- Submission of an application constitutes an applicant’s acknowledgment and agreement that the applicant shall comply with these Terms and Conditions.
Rebate Agreement – Release of Liability
The SFPUC may deny any application that does not meet the requirements. The applicant agrees to allow the SFPUC to inspect new toilet installations as a potential condition to obtain a rebate under this program. Funding for this program is limited to available resources. Rebates are processed on a first come, first serve basis. SFPUC shall bear no responsibility or liability for the cost, expense, operation, maintenance, or repair of a participant’s ultra-high efficiency toilet(s). SFPUC shall likewise bear no responsibility or liability for delay in accepting an application, rejection of an application, or termination of the program.
Step 2:
If you are replacing 1-4 toilets, you will have purchased and installed qualifying toilet(s) and gathered the below information before submitting your application:
- SFPUC Water Account Number, and name on the water account
- Installation Address
- Applicant Contact Information (name, phone, email)
- Itemized proof of payment documentation. Our system cannot accept HEIC file attachments.
- Toilet Purchase Information: Purchase Date, Installation Date, Price, Gallon per Flush (gpf), Manufacturer Name and Model Number
- Any required, signed release forms
If you want to replace 5 or more toilets, you will submit your application BEFORE you purchase and install your new toilets to confirm the eligibility of the existing toilets. You will need:
- SFPUC Water Account Number, and name on the water account
- Installation Address
- Applicant Contact Information (name, phone, email)
- Estimated quantity of toilets being replaced
- Any required, signed release forms
Step 3
- If you haven’t applied for any previous SFPUC conservation assistance, you’ll be prompted first to register for our application portal.
- Click APPLY NOW and complete the application. Partial applications cannot be saved in our system.
- After completing the online application, send a completed and signed IRS Form W-9 to the San Francisco Controller’s Office. You can email them to supplier.management@sfgov.org or you can mail a hard copy to: Supplier Management, 1 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place, Room 300, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Rebates cannot be issued without a W-9 form on file with the Controller’s Office. This is because some people receive $600 or more in rebates from the City of San Francisco in a year. These people will receive an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1099 and may have to pay federal taxes. The Social Security number you provide in the application will remain confidential. The SFPUC operates under the terms of the Privacy Act. Social Security numbers will not be shared with people or organizations outside the Controller's Office.
The SFPUC's request for Social Security or Tax ID numbers follows federal law. This law is the Federal Privacy Act of 1974, 42 UCS 405 (c) (2)(c).
For more information on this program, please email waterconservation@sfwater.org or call 415-551-4730.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out the flush volume of my existing toilet?
A toilet flush volume, by gallons per flush will be stamped or etched in one of three places on a toilet. Sometimes, a toilet has a date indicated instead of a flush volume. Toilets manufactured before 1994 have a flush volume of 1.6 gallons or more. To find a manufacture year or flush rate, try looking in the following areas:
- On the walls inside the toilet tank.
- The flat area behind the toilet seat hinge, where the bowl meets the tank.
- The underside of the tank lid.
What is an Ultra-High Efficiency toilet?
Toilets sold and installed in California cannot exceed 1.28 GPF. An ultra-high efficiency toilet uses 1.1 GPF or less. Some models use only 0.8 GPF, which is 37% less than the California standard.What do I do with my old toilets?
Toilets with flush rates that exceed the California Standard of 1.28 GPF cannot be reused and must be disposed of appropriately. Program participants or their installing plumber/contractor are responsible for proper disposal of old toilets removed from their property. San Francisco residents can schedule a free bulky item pickup which includes old toilets through Recology. A list of registered construction and demolition facilities is available on the San Francisco Environment Department website. Please contact these facilities directly to confirm that they accept old toilets.My toilet is less than 10 years and is leaking. Can I get a rebate to replace it?
No, but the SFPUC provides free devices and guidance that may help you check and fix some leaks. Our conservation technicians may also be able to help during a free water-wise evaluation.