HONOLULU — The Honolulu Board of Water Supply has launched a new program that provides rebates for customers who install WaterSense toilets.

The rebate program is part of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply’s work to encourage water conservation. Oahu currently has a low water supply due to an ongoing drought and the closure of multiple wells, as officials are concerned about fuel contamination. 

Customers who replace an older toilet with an EPA WaterSense-labeled toilet can receive a $45 rebate. Homes can receive the rebate for up to two toilets. 

“Think about how many times a day the toilet in your home is flushed. With this new rebate, residents can save up to 13,000 gallons of water per year,” said Ernest Lau, BWS Manager and Chief Engineer, in a news release. “Over time, customers will be able to see long-term savings on their water bill while helping to preserve our limited yet precious water resources.” 

WaterSense toilets use about 1.28 gallons of water per flush, whereas standard toilets use 1.68 gallons of water per flush. 

To apply for the rebate, visit the Board of Water Supply’s website. Customers can also apply for rebates by installing water-efficient clothes washers, rain barrels and weather-based irrigation controllers.  

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii.