About the Program
Kane County Residents who replaced a high-volume toilet (>1.6 gallon/flush) with a U.S. EPA WaterSense-labeled high efficiency toilet (1.28 gallon/flush) toilet were eligible to receive up to $200 per toilet plus installation costs for up to three toilets per household.
Toilet Flush Volume
1. Look for a Label or Stamp on the Toilet check the following locations:
- On the bowl near the seat hinge (where the lid meets the tank)
- Inside the tank (on the back wall or under the lid)
- Near the base of the toilet
Look for markings like: “1.6 GPF” (Gallons Per Flush); “1.28 GPF” or “WaterSense”; Older toilets might say “3.5 GPF” or a manufacture’s make and model might be sufficient to determine the GPF.
2. Check the Inside of the Tank Remove the lid and look for:
- A manufacturer’s stamp including GPF and date.
- GPF gallons/flush stamp molded into the porcelain.
3. Estimate Manually (If No Label is Found) You can do a basic test:
- Turn off the water supply to the toilet (valve near the base).
- Flush to empty the tank.
- Refill the tank with water and measure how many gallons it takes to reach the normal water line.
4. Search by Model Number Find the model number (inside the tank or under the lid), then:
- Search online (e.g., “[Toilet model number] GPF”)
- Still no luck? Check the manufacturer’s website
Frequently Asked Questions
Toilets with the EPA’s WaterSense label use just 1.28 gallons per flush – that’s 20% less than the current federal standard of 1.6 gallons and significantly less than older model toilets, which can use up to 6 gallons per flush. WaterSense-labeled toilets can be found at local hardware stores and home improvement stores.
Toilets are the main source of water use in the home, and replacing a less efficient toilet with a EPA’s WaterSense labeled toilet can save thousands of gallons of water each year. For example, replacing a 3.5 gallon toilet with a WaterSense-labeled model can save a household 12,000 gallons of water each year. An average family of four uses 881 gallons of water per week just by flushing the toilet.
If you applied for the rebate before the program closed, once your application is received and approved, you must submit a completed reimbursement form which requires your Social Security Number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). A rebate check will be mailed approximately 8 – 10 weeks your complete application is received. For questions about taxability of the payment, consult a tax professional.