🎥 Money back rebates available in water conservation program

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

With the third wettest year just locked into the Hays record books, and the Kansas Water Office declaring the entire state drought free for the first time since June 2017, water conservation may be the furthest thing from your mind.

But smart water use is always at the forefront of daily life in western Kansas, where drought is a persistent threat.

Of the 34 Kansas counties that have a population of more than 15,000 people, 33 counties either sit atop a major aquifer or are east of Highway 81/Interstate 135 where there is reliable surface water flow.

Ellis County is that 34th county and does not have an adequate local water supply.

A conservation plan was implemented in 1992. In 1994, the R9 Ranch in Edwards County was purchased by the cities of Hays and Russell as a regional longterm water supply source. In 2015, Hays city commissioners voted to begin pursuing the regulatory process to move the water it owns, along with Russell, from the R9 north to the Schoenchen water wellfield south of Hays.

The city of Hays continues to offer water conservation rebates and giveaway programs for residents and businesses, as Holly Dickman, water conservation specialist, explains.

High Efficiency Toilet Rebate Program – Rebates from $50 to $150 are available for replacing an old inefficient toilet with a new high efficient model. The fewer gallons used per flush (GPF) the higher the rebate.
High Efficient Clothes Washer Rebate Program – $100 rebate available for replacing an old washing machine with a high efficiency model with an integrated water factor (IWF) of 3.7 or less to qualify.
Efficient Showerheads and Faucet Aerators – Available at City Hall Finance Office, 1507 Main; Aerators are free. Seven types of shower heads with 3 models free with exchange of old showerhead and 4 models can be purchased for $5 with exchange of old showerhead.
Turf Conversion Rebate – Up to $1,500 per property available for converting cool season turf (i.e. tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass) to warm season turf (i.e. buffalograss or bermudagrass) or water conserving landscaping; Pre- and post-inspections required to qualify.

“Don’t wait to the next drought,” Dickman encouraged property owners. “Take advantage of the good soil moisture we have now to convert to a more drought tolerant landscaping in the coming growing season.”

Rebate details and forms are available at www.watersmarthays.com.