Planet Optima
Coldwater Contessa, a three-story brick and stucco apartment building behind palms

Case Study · Water Conservation

Coldwater Contessa

A LADWP-funded retrofit at a 37-unit Sherman Oaks building, 59 high-efficiency toilets replaced, 32% water reduction, 551,028 gallons saved every year. Zero cost to the property.

LADWP / MWD High-Efficiency Toilet Rebate

Project Overview

37-unit multifamily retrofit in Sherman Oaks

Planet Optima replaced every low-efficiency toilet at 5036 Coldwater Canyon Ave, a 59-fixture retrofit under the LADWP / MWD High-Efficiency Toilet Rebate program. 1.6 GPF fixtures were swapped for 0.9 GPF WaterSense-certified units. The work was completed with no disruption to residents.

LADWP covered 100% of equipment, installation, and removal. The property owner signed a single authorization form; Planet Optima handled eligibility, paperwork, scheduling, and rebate processing.

See how the LADWP toilet rebate program works →

32%
Water Savings
551,028
Gallons Saved Annually
59
Fixtures Replaced
$0
Cost to Property

Project Details

Client
Coldwater Contessa
Location
5036 Coldwater Canyon Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Units
37
Fixtures replaced
59
Before
1.6 GPF
After
0.9 GPF (WaterSense-certified)
Program
LADWP / MWD High-Efficiency Toilet Rebate
Coldwater Contessa at 5036 Coldwater Canyon Ave, Sherman Oaks

Verified Measurement

Monthly Usage, Before vs. After

Every figure pulled from actual LADWP billing data. No estimates, no projections.

146,483
Before
gallons/month avg. (1.6 GPF · 19-month baseline)
100,564
After
gallons/month avg. (0.9 GPF WaterSense)
−32%
Sustained reduction
45,919 gal/month saved
Monthly water usage chart for Coldwater Contessa showing pre-retrofit average of 146,483 gallons/month, the retrofit date, and post-retrofit average of 100,564 gallons/month, a 32% reduction.
Most significant water savings occurred in the winter months as cold-weather base loads dropped.

What 551,028 Gallons Means

The same water saved each year, put in everyday terms.

Render of a glass shower stall, the water saved shown as showers taken
32,000
eight-minute showers avoided per year
Render of a swimming pool, the water saved shown as pools filled
27.6
backyard swimming pools worth of water saved
Render of a single-family house, the water saved shown as homes supplied for a year
4.7
households of four supplied for an entire year

Scope of Work

Turnkey installation, zero out-of-pocket

Planet Optima handled every step of the retrofit, from LADWP application to final rebate processing. The property owner approved the scope and signed one form. No plumbing coordination, no tenant letters, no invoices.

Work Performed
  • Toilet fixture replacement (59 units)
  • Angle stops and supply lines replaced as needed
  • Flange repair where needed
  • Removal and disposal of old fixtures
  • LADWP rebate paperwork, submission, and follow-up
  • Tenant notification and installation coordination

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Royal Garden Apartments, Van Nuys
Royal Garden Apartments at 7350 Kester Ave, Van Nuys

Van Nuys

Royal Garden Apartments

84-fixture retrofit across 56 units, 34% water reduction, 1,026,888 gallons saved annually.

Read case study →
Chandler Court, Valley Village
Chandler Court at 12245 Chandler Blvd, Valley Village

Valley Village

Chandler Court

46-fixture retrofit across 34 units, 34% water reduction, 438,577 gallons saved annually.

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Prefer to read this as a PDF? Download our full case study file (10 pages)

Does Your Building Qualify for the LADWP Program?

LADWP funds the whole toilet replacement for buildings that meet four conditions. After 500,000 fixtures we know exactly what decides it.

  • Inside LADWP service territory The building takes its water from LADWP, not a neighboring city utility. The water bill settles it in a minute.
  • 5 or more residential units Multifamily and commercial properties with 5 or more units. Portfolios are checked building by building.
  • Toilets at 1.6 GPF or higher Fixtures on the old standard, typical for buildings completed before 2014. LADWP pays up to $300 per qualifying toilet.
  • An owner or manager who can sign One authorization form is the whole ask. Planet Optima files everything after that.

What Our Clients Say

“Working with Planet Optima is like a breath of fresh air! Professional and thorough, the team has navigated multiple large scale and complex projects for HDS with ease. Timely communication and a true professional partner. I recommend highly and will be partnering with them again without hesitation!”
Steve Christman
Sales Manager, HD Supply
“Once I completed the walk with Planet Optima I felt at ease and confident this project would be handled professionally. They did a complete and thorough job, were very attentive to all the residents, and kept their area clean and neat throughout the project.”
Kerwyn
Decron Properties
“Planet Optima made the entire process seamless. From the initial assessment to the final installation, they handled everything professionally and on schedule. Our tenants experienced minimal disruption, and the savings on our water bill were immediate.”
Conor O.
MDT Properties

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