Aurora offers rebates for energy-efficient toilets

Thinking green can save you a little green in Aurora these days.

City officials announced Wednesday that $100 rebates will be issued to homeowners who install new, high-efficiency toilets that feature the "WaterSense" label.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a family of four can reduce its water bills by more than $90 a year by switching to toilets that flush with different amounts of water depending on whether solid or liquid waste is being flushed.

"Ultimately the goal of the rebate program is to help Aurora residents save money on water utility bills," said Karen Lilly of the Neighborhood Redevelopment Division. "It's a bit of a different concept but everyone uses a toilet and this change is one that most residents can handle themselves without much hassle."

Zilly said it also is expected to reduce water and electrical energy consumption, and associated operating costs while conserving groundwater resources.

The rebates are part of Aurora's Water Saving Toilet Rebate Program and are funded through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants.

The program offers the rebates to residential property owners who replace older toilets requiring 1.6 gallons or more per flush. A maximum of 100 units will be eligible for the rebates, which are limited to one per city water billing account.

To be eligible, participants must be residential customers, the installation address must be located in the city limits, the toilet must be purchased from an Aurora business, and it must be properly installed. The rebate program runs from June 1 to Sept. 1, or until the funds run out.

Toilets purchased before June 1 are not eligible.

Complete details and application forms are on the city's website at aurora-il.org, under the "Quick Links" heading on the homepage.