Waukesha board approves $100,000 softener-removal rebate to lower chloride discharges

The Waukesha City Board of Public Works on Dec. 5 approved a softener-removal rebate program that allocates $100,000 from the city's chloride reduction fund and uses an additional $30,000 in water-utility conservation grant money to offer homeowners a $200 rebate for permanently removing domestic water softeners.

Tim, a city water staff member, presented the proposal and said the city's optimization program, approved in 2018 and launched in 2019, has optimized about 2,800 softeners so far out of an estimated 15,000–16,000 units citywide. "So it seems like a lot, but it's only a portion of the amount that we are pretty certain are out there," Tim said, and he showed effluent chloride trends that have averaged around the mid-300s milligrams per liter recently.

Tim told the board the Root River effluent limit the Department of Natural Resources will require is 400 milligrams per liter and that limit will take effect three years after the final water-source transition. He said the proposed rebate is intended to accelerate removals and give the city more buffer against seasonal chloride spikes. "What we're proposing is a rebate program," Tim said, describing a $200 payment intended to cover roughly half the typical plumbing cost to remove a softener and cap the pipes.

Staff said the city has a standing $120,000-per-year chloride reduction fund; the proposal keeps $20,000 of that for ongoing optimization payments to vendors and allocates $100,000 for the rebate program, which staff estimated could cover about 1,200 softener removals at the $200 rebate level. The conservation grant offers an additional $30,000 to supplement the effort.

Board members asked detailed questions about program mechanics. Joe Piper moved to approve the item; Kevin Riley seconded. Tim said the application will mirror the city's existing toilet-rebate process: applicants must submit before-and-after photos showing plumbing before and after removal, the softener's brand, model and serial number, and a signed certification attesting to the removal. Staff said homeowners who remove softeners themselves are eligible; the city will request plumber receipts if provided and will perform on-site inspections where documentation is questionable.

Members also raised disposal concerns and program integrity. Eric Payne and others asked whether residents could drop units at the drop-off center or otherwise avoid disposal costs; staff said many plumbers include disposal but noted softeners are largely plastic and fiberglass with little scrap value and that appliances may not be accepted at the city's drop-off center. Staff also said curbside bulky-item pickup (John's Disposal) will be an option after March 31, and the program will include safeguards to prevent someone from claiming a rebate for a softener they did not remove.

The board voted unanimously (Cassens, Kevin Riley, Piper, O'Donnell, Payne recorded as aye) to approve the rebate program. Staff said outreach will begin in January and the program will be administered via an online application that requires photo documentation and the unit's identifying information.

The board did not set a new ordinance or regulatory language; the action allocates existing fund balances to create a time-limited rebate program and directs staff to implement the application and verification process. The city will monitor demand and return to the board if the program requires additional funding or adjustments.