By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The city of Hays is well-known as a leader in water conservation.
Part of the success in encouraging less water use is a combination of rebates available to water customers, both residential and commercial, encouraging installation of water-saving devices and appliances.
You can even get free low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators.
Water Conservation Specialist for the city of Hays, Holly Dickman, explains the incentives and how to qualify for the rebate programs.
“The faucet aerators are free in the City Finance Office in city hall to Hays water customers. Just walk in and pick them up any time,” Dickman said
Showerheads are also available with the exchange of your old showerheads.
“There are seven models. Three are free and the other four are just five dollars. They’re very good quality showerheads. We think you’ll be pleased with the choices.”
The washing machine rebate is $100 on the purchase of a new high-efficiency (HE) washing machine.
“The qualifying models must have an integrated water factor of 3.7 or below. To find a list of models, go to the city of Hays website, www.haysusa.com, under the Water Conservation tab where you’ll find all the details.
“Another popular rebate program is for low-flow toilets. If you replace a high water-using toilet with a water-efficient toilet, it must have a gallon-per-flush of 1.28 or less. You can receive $50 to $150 back depending on how low that gallon-per-flush is.” More detailed information is also available on the city’s website.
The urinal rebate program is primarily for commercial customers, including businesses, offices, restaurants, schools and churches.
“You can get $300 back on the cost of a new efficient urinal with a gallon-per-flush rate of 0.13 or less.”
Customers can receive more than one toilet or urinal rebate.
“As long as you have the qualifying information and the qualifying models, it’s only limited by the funds available in that rebate program,” explained Dickman.
“The Turf Conversion Rebate Program will also be offered again in 2018,” she added, “with the details still to be finalized.”
All of the rebate forms have been newly updated and are available online along with information about each program.
If you have any questions, call Dickman at 785-628-7350.