Water Conservation - Low Flush Toilets

I've noticed many people had to flush the toilets twice to achieve their desired task. So your savings may be less that you estimate.

I think your estimate of $75 to change a toilet is too low. May be more like $400 to hire a licensed plumber and costs associated with disposal of the old toilet. May cost even more if there is rot under the toilet. Just bringing up a few things you may not have considered.

This could require a special assessment by all the members to participate. The logic being that if they pay a special $100 assessment that the dues would be reduced after the work is done by a certain percentage. Otherwise there would be no encouragement to invest in this option. Plus as the other poster pointed out, who would be responsible for the cost of the replacement? Toilets may be cheap but the installation falls on who's hands?

There are other options instead of new toilets. You can modify existing toilets to meet the low flush standard with kits. They can be about $10 to $20 a piece. Even putting a brick or bottle of water can lower the use of water in a toilet. I would put the word out on this program and encourage people to take advantage of this option. Don't think I would put the burden on the HOA to pay for it unless it's cheaper for everyone to divide up the costs as a group.

We also tried the kits (converion) on regular, but it just not work very well. "Vortens" is manufacturer who we choose to go with and they are definately flush demons. They work great. Used Elongated regular height and comfort height. You'll have to find a dealer on their website and they should be less than $200.

Lots of information to consider. How old is you resident population? Someone, in one of the posts, mentions "comfort height" vs "regular height". If you have an older population then the "comfort height" is something that should be included. The extra 2 inches (17" vs 15") is a big help for older residents and even younger people appreciate it. (The only problem I know of is my 5 year old gradaughter who can't get up there without some help but that will change soon enough.)

Another low cost item to consider is a grab bar. A selling point for the HOA. "We will not only save $ on H2O but add to your comfort and safety as you/we grow older" It is also a selling/renting plus (bathrooms have 17" height toilets and grab bars).

Melissa, With regard to special assessments I do not believe in them. To me they usually indicate poor financial management. The HOAs we manage never has had one. Also, the townhome owner is responsible for toilets, not the HOA.

Sorry I left out the critical word "REBATE" in my first post. The City will provide a REBATE of $75/toilet. The installed toilet total cost is $200. This cost is for an American Standard round 2" extended lip low flush; with options of $10 less for a round bowl and $17 more for a handicapped (ADA) elongated 2”&2”higher bowl. These toilets do not have the problems encountered by low flush toilets in past years of a plugged sewer line or requiring a second flush. The total installed cost would be paid by: $75 city rebate + $75 HOA rebate + $50 owner payment. The incentive for the owners to spend $50/toilet would be that all owners assessments could be reduced $75/year beginning in year three.

This seems like a big WIN-WIN for the city and the homeowners. The City conserves water and owner has less expenses after the 2+ year payout. Since my initial post I have talked to an HOA where 96% installed low flush toilets. They estimated their cost savings at about 20%. I followed up by calculating their savings was 16% in July 2012 compared to July 2011 based on info provided by the City Water Conservation Department. In addition, this summer was dryer than last year so it could be off due to irrigation water which was included in the calculation. My calculation of a savings of $75/unit/year is based on a 14% savings in 2012.