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Waukesha City Water Utility approves payments; staff flags low toilet-rebate uptake
Summary
The Water Utility Commission approved routine payments and discussed low participation in the toilet-rebate program, with staff saying they will target multifamily properties and consider using conservation funds for other rebates (washing machines, dishwashers, ice machines) to use available PSC conservation dollars.
The Waukesha City Water Utility Commission on Aug. 15 approved payments from the general and improvement funds and discussed low uptake of the toilet-rebate program.
President Joe Piatt opened the meeting and the board voted to approve the vouchers. Utility staff told commissioners that the number of toilet-rebate claims is much lower this year than in prior years and that staff will step up outreach to multifamily housing and businesses to encourage participation. "We're really down this year with regards to toilet rebates," a staff member said, and encouraged commissioners to refer potential participants.
Staff noted the utility has an annual conservation allocation from the Public Service Commission (PSC) that has not been fully spent and is exploring other eligible conservation measures to use the funds, including rebates for washing machines, dishwashers and ice machines if toilet-rebate participation remains low. The utility also said free low-flow shower heads and other efficiency measures have been part of past outreach.
The commission approved the payments unanimously. Staff said additional conservation-program proposals will appear in utility business items later in the year.
