34.1 Water Program Rebates Dispersed

This indicator is part of Active citizen conservation.

Indicator description:

Residents are encouraged to conserve water by making one-time modifications to plumbing fixtures and appliances and behaviorally, by changing water use habits. This indicator reports the number of water rebates residents have received from the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Authority (ABCWUA) water rebate program. The water rebate program offers residential financial incentives for replacing high water use fixtures, such as toilets, washing machines, and shower heads, as well as converting water-heavy lawns into xeriscape landscapes. The chart below represents the four highest rebate categories. Hot water recirculation systems, sprinkler timers, and rainwater harvesting rebates are also offered. Although many peer communities have been or currently are engaged in water rebate programs, participation rates are not available and thus comparisons to other cities are not listed.

Why is this indicator relevant?

As population increases, residents’ wise water use can preserve the environment, save energy, and save money. It will help protect the future of Albuquerque’s water supply. Since 1995, the population served by ABCWUA has increased 22% from 450,856 to 548,035 in 2006. Residential accounts comprise about 62% of total water used by customers. Since 1995, over 67,000 toilet rebates have been approved. Toilets are responsible for over 30% of indoor residential water use. High flow toilets flush up to 5 gallons per flush versus the more efficient 1.6 gallon per flush low flow toilets. It is estimated that there are about 150,000 high flow toilets that have not been replaced with low flow toilets in the Albuquerque metropolitan service area. If each of those toilets were to be converted, approximately 1 billion gallons of water would be saved annually in our community.

Data Source:
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA), 2008

What can we tell from the data?

• Since the Albuquerque water rebate program began in 1995, an average of 9 billion annual gallons has been saved and over 11 million dollars spent in rebates to residents.
• Residents have two years left to receive a rebate on a low flow toilet replacement. Rebates for toilets will cease after FY/09 while rebates for other fixtures and outdoor irrigation alterations will continue.
• In 2009, the rebate amount for toilets will decrease to $100 per replacement. In 2008 the amount is $125 and record replacements in FY/08 represent residents taking advantage of the higher rebate amount.

For Help in understanding this page, see Understanding Indicators.