City of Bend helps Housing Works install over 100 high-efficiency toilets at NE Bend apartments
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The City of Bend and Housing Works said Friday they have partnered to replace more than 100 high-volume toilets at Summit Park Apartments with high-efficiency models, aiming to save water and reduce utility bills.
The retrofit is expected to save Housing Works approximately $10,600 annually, or $105 per toilet.
The outdated toilets, more than 30 years old and using 3.5 gallons per flush, were replaced with new EPA WaterSense-certified toilets that use only 1.28 gallons per flush. The city rebate program offset $80 of the cost for each toilet, amounting to a total rebate of $8,080, which covered about 34% of the project costs.
Housing Works, the largest provider of affordable housing in Central Oregon, serves about 1% of the population, with 1,400 homes and apartments.
Both parties said the partnership not only enhances water efficiency but also allows Housing Works to allocate savings toward improving their services and reducing rental costs.
"Creating efficiency across our buildings makes sense in so many ways," said Lynne McConnell, executive director of Housing Works. She emphasized that upgrading these facilities helps fulfill their mission of fostering dignity through housing while benefiting the community at large.
The anticipated return on investment for the upgrades is just under 1.5 years, according to Dan Denning, manager of Bend's Water Conservation Program.
"Based on the expected annual water and sewer savings, this project's return on investment was expedited to a little under 1.5 years with rebate funds," Denning explained, indicating that these savings could significantly benefit property owners.
Further discussing the partnership, Denning stated, "We value partnerships like this one with Housing Works and are so grateful to be able to help improve this property's sustainability and reduce ongoing operational costs through water savings."
He highlighted that other multi-family and commercial properties are also eligible for similar rebate programs, promoting water conservation citywide.
For each project, the city offers a complimentary preliminary evaluation to identify potential savings and help plan implementation. Denning noted, "We realize no two projects are exactly alike. Our goal is to foster a successful venture that generates the most savings on each property."
The new toilets' water savings will begin to reflect in Housing Works' budget starting next year. City representatives encourage other multi-family and commercial property owners to explore available rebates for improving water efficiency.
Other city water customers with multi-family buildings, multiplexes with five or more units and commercial properties are eligible for rebates on indoor and outdoor water-efficient devices and projects too.
Visit Multi-Family and Commercial Rebates and WaterWise Communities for more information, or contact Bend’s Water Conservation staff at 541-317-3000, ext. 2, or conservation@bendoregon.gov.
