Watersmart Indoors

Residential Toilet Replacement Program

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the Region of Peel introducing a Toilet Replacement Program?
2. Who is eligible to participate in the Residential Toilet Replacement Program?
3. What is Peel-Approved?
4. What is WaterSense?
5. Why is the Region of Peel adopting WaterSense specifications for its Residential Toilet Replacement Program?
6. What is UNAR Testing?
7. What are SPS Requirements?
8. How do I apply for a rebate?
9. How long will it take to receive my rebate?
10. What if I want to keep my original receipt?
11. Can I install my new toilet myself?
12. Do plumbing contractors have to be licensed with the area municipalities?
13. Do I have to be on the municipal water system to participate?
14. How long are the rebates available?
15. Is there a toilet replacement program for businesses?
16. Are there other rebate and incentive programs for homeowners?

1. Why is the Region of Peel introducing a Toilet Replacement Program?

In most Peel households, the toilet is the biggest water consumer, using approximately 30 per cent of the water used in the home each day. Inefficient toilets can waste thousands of litres of water a year. By switching to a Peel-Approved water-efficient toilet (4.8 L average flush volume) you will effectively reduce water in your home, minimize the impact you make on the environment and save money on your water bill.

2. Who is eligible to participate in the Residential Toilet Replacement Program?

To be eligible for the program you must own or rent a single or multi-family dwelling in the Region of Peel and meet the following eligibility requirements:

Single-Family Applicants

• Single-detached houses
• Semi-detached houses
• Multiplex units (duplex, triplex, four-plex, five-plex, six-plex)
• Individual townhouses and condominium units

Multi-Family Applicants

• Condominium buildings
• Apartment buildings
• Condominium townhouse complexes
• Co-operative townhouse complexes or apartment buildings

All eligible toilets purchased must be selected from the Peel-Approved list for single-family applicants or multi-family applicants and installed in residences located in the Region of Peel.

All eligible toilets must have been purchased on or after September 1, 2005.

3. What is Peel-Approved?

Peel-Approved gives residents peace of mind in knowing that water fixtures labelled Peel-Approved follow strict efficiency guidelines and qualify for rebates that offset the purchase price.

4. What is WaterSense?

Similar to appliances that carry an Energy Star label for energy efficiency, water fixtures that carry the WaterSense label meet stringent water efficiency and performance criteria set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency.

WaterSense is backed by independent testing and certification, where companies using this label must sign a WaterSense partnership agreement. The agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of WaterSense.
For consumers, this means WaterSense labelled products:

• Perform as well or better than less efficient counterparts; and
• Be about 20 percent more water-efficient than average products in that category.”

For more on WaterSense, visit www.epa.gov/watersense

5. Why is the Region of Peel adopting WaterSense specifications for its Residential Toilet Replacement Program?

With the wide array of toilets on the market, the Region of Peel encourages Peel residents to choose water efficient products that maintain high performance and quality.

6. What is UNAR testing?

UNAR (Uniform North American Requirements) is a qualification system that tests a High Efficiency Toilet (HET). This testing combines Maximum Performance (MaP) testing and the Los Angeles Supplementary Purchase Specification (SPS) requirements. Adopting Uniform North American Requirement (UNAR) criteria will improve the Region of Peel's ability to achieve increased sustainable water savings.

For a toilet model to be considered for qualification as UNAR compliant it must satisfy the following criteria:

• Remove a minimum of 350 grams of test material (MaP testing)
• A maximum flush volume of 4.8 litres for HET models, under maximum adjustment conditions (SPS requirement)
• A mandated chemical resistant flapper (SPS requirement)

To learn more about UNAR testing, please see UNAR Guidelines and Specifications.

7. What are SPS Requirements?

The Los Angeles SPS Requirements are applicable to tank-type gravity fed toilets, tank-type flushometer (pressure-assist) and tank-type electrohydraulic toilets.

For more detailed information, please see SPS Requirements for Ultra-Low-Flush Toilets.

8. How do I apply for a rebate?

• Select the water-efficient toilet(s) from the appropriate Peel-Approved list
• Purchase and install the new toilet(s)
• Complete the appropriate Residential Toilet Replacement Program Application Form for Single or Multi-Family

Single-Family Applicants

• The Single Family Toilet Replacement Program Application Form is available online or by calling the Region of Peel at
  905-791-7800, extension 4409
• Attach the original sales receipt showing the make and model of the newly purchased toilet(s)

Multi-Family Applicants

• The Multi-Family Toilet Replacement Program Application Form is available online or by calling the Region of Peel at 905-791-7800, extension 4409.
• Complete the Toilet Installation List showing the building address, water service account number, toilet installation location (floor and unit number), toilet description (make and model), along with the number of toilets installed.
• Attach the original sales receipt showing the make and model of the newly purchased toilets
• Attach weigh-scale bills confirming the disposal of old toilets at any licensed municipal or provincial waste disposal facility
  
• Mail or drop the application package to:

Region of Peel
Water Smart Peel
2 Copper Road
Brampton, ON L6T 4W5

We recommend keeping a copy of the completed application form and sales receipt for your records.

9. How long will it take to receive my rebate?

As soon as the application form and required documentation is received, the Region will verify and process the application information. Once the application is approved, you should receive a rebate cheque within six to eight weeks.

10. What if I want to keep my original receipt?

You may decide that you need your original receipt for warranty purposes.  We still require that you mail in your original receipt, however, we will return your original receipt upon request.  Simply indicate on your application that you would like your original receipt returned to you, and we will do so in 1-2 weeks upon processing your application.  Please note that your receipt and rebate will be mailed separately.

11. Can I install my new toilet myself?

Single-Family Applicants

You may install the new toilet yourself or you can hire a licensed plumber/contractor to perform the work. If you rent a unit within a single-family dwelling, you must obtain approval from the property owner before proceeding with the installation.

Multi-Family Applicants

You may have in-house staff (e.g. superintendents) or a hired licensed plumber perform the work.

 

12. Do plumbing contractors have to be licensed with the area municipalities?

The area municipalities that comprise the Region of Peel (Cities of Brampton and Mississauga, and Town of Caledon) each have their own licensing requirements related to plumbing contractors.

The City of Brampton and Town of Caledon do not require plumbing contractors to apply for an operating licence to perform work in the respective municipality.

The City of Mississauga requires plumbing contractors to apply for an operating licence if performing work in the City of Mississauga. An application form (available on-line at www.mississauga.ca or by fax) must be completed, along with a copy of Articles of Incorporation or Business Regulation, provincial qualifications, and copies of any other municipal licences in possession. The City also requires a Certificate of Insurance addressed to the City of Mississauga showing general liability insurance for a minimum of $1,000,000.

13. Do I have to be on the municipal water system to be eligible to participate?

No. Residents on municipal or private water systems are eligible. All Peel residents are eligible for the rebate. The water bill account information will be used by the Region as a way to monitor and evaluate the water savings realized as a result of this program.

14. How long are the rebates available?

There is no deadline to apply for a rebate, although there is a finite number of rebates available for single and multi-family applicants each year. Toilet rebates will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

15. Is there a toilet replacement program for business?

Yes

16. Are there other rebate and incentive programs for homeowners?

Yes.

The Region of Peel offers rebates on humidifiers.

The Federal Government has created a database of available rebate and incentive programs for homeowners.

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Revised: Friday December 23 2011

www.peelregion.ca