The Complete Guide to LADWP’s Free Toilet Replacement Program

What Is the LADWP Toilet Rebate Program?

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) funds a program that replaces outdated, high-flow toilets in apartment buildings with ultra-high-efficiency models, at zero cost to the property owner.

LADWP covers everything: the toilet, professional installation, new supply lines and hardware, and haul-away of old fixtures. No rebate paperwork where you pay first and wait for reimbursement. No capital outlay. The utility pays for the entire project.

Why does LADWP pay for this?

Los Angeles imports 85% of its water from hundreds of miles away. Toilets account for roughly 30% of indoor water use in multifamily buildings. For LADWP, funding toilet replacements is cheaper than building new water infrastructure or purchasing additional water rights.

The math works for the utility: replacing a single 3.5 GPF (gallons per flush) toilet with a 0.9 GPF model saves approximately 9,500 gallons per year per unit. Multiply that across thousands of apartments, and the conservation impact is massive.

What "no cost" actually means

This is not a traditional rebate where you purchase equipment and wait for reimbursement. LADWP directly funds the project through the SoCal Water$mart platform. You do not purchase toilets, hire installers, or file for reimbursement. The entire project, from fixtures to labor to disposal, is covered.

Current status: the program is active for qualifying multifamily properties. Funding is allocated annually on a first-come, first-served basis. With LADWP sewer rates increasing through 2028, the savings value grows every month you wait.

LADWP Toilet Rebate Eligibility: Who Qualifies?

The primary program targets multifamily apartment buildings. Here are the specific requirements.

Understanding the GPF requirement

Many property owners think their buildings already have "low-flow" toilets. But 1.6 GPF models, which became the federal standard in 1994, still use 44% more water per flush than today’s ultra-high-efficiency 0.9 GPF models. If your building was built or last renovated before 2014, most toilets likely qualify.

Not sure what is in your building? Check the toilet tank. The GPF rating is stamped between the seat hinges. Or skip the detective work entirely: a building inspection takes less than an hour and tells you exactly how many units qualify.

Condos, HOAs, and commercial properties

Condominium associations may qualify if the building meets the unit count threshold and the HOA authorizes the replacement. Commercial properties have a separate rebate structure, approximately $300 per toilet through the LADWP commercial program. Mixed-use buildings should contact an LADWP-approved provider to determine which program applies.

Prior participation

Buildings that previously participated may still qualify if units still have 1.6+ GPF toilets. If your building received replacements years ago but some units were not included, or if turnover brought old fixtures back, you can re-apply for the remaining eligible units.

Water Bill Savings: What to Expect After Upgrading

The savings are significant, and they grow every year as LADWP sewer rates continue rising. Here is the math.

The water savings math

An average resident flushes approximately 5 times per day. Replacing a 3.5 GPF toilet with a 0.9 GPF model saves 2.6 gallons per flush. That is 13 gallons per person, per day. In a 2-person unit, that is approximately 9,500 gallons saved per year.

Even replacing a 1.6 GPF toilet (the "low-flow" federal standard) with a 0.9 GPF model saves 0.7 gallons per flush, 3.5 gallons per person per day, roughly 2,500 gallons per unit per year.

Savings by building size

Why sewer rates make this urgent

LADWP sewer service charges have gone from $5.80/HCF in early 2024 to $10.13/HCF today, and the City’s approved schedule (Ordinance 188363) takes them to $11.01 in July 2027 and $11.96 in July 2028. By then a 100-unit building that does nothing pays roughly $45,000 more per year in sewer charges than it did in 2024. Reducing water usage before the last increases land is the single most effective way to contain operating costs.

The property value angle: at a 5% cap rate, for example, every $1 saved in annual operating expenses is worth about $20 in property value. On that basis a 100-unit building saving $25,000 a year adds roughly $500,000 in value. This is a free capital improvement that can improve your building’s sale price or refinancing position.

Hidden savings most owners miss

Water bills are just the headline number. Ultra-high-efficiency toilets also deliver:

• Reduced maintenance calls: Modern flush mechanisms have fewer moving parts and better performance
• Fewer clogs: Advanced flush technology moves waste more effectively than old 3.5 GPF models
• Tenant satisfaction: New fixtures are a tangible amenity improvement
• ESG/sustainability reporting: Measurable water conservation data for institutional owners
• EBEWE compliance: Better water benchmarking scores for buildings over 20,000 sq ft

What Toilets Does LADWP Provide?

Property managers worry about quality when they hear "no cost." Here is what is actually installed, and why these toilets outperform what is currently in most buildings.

The quality question, answered

"Free" does not mean cheap. These are the same name-brand, WaterSense-certified models sold at plumbing supply distributors. LADWP specifies quality standards because every toilet that fails becomes a warranty issue for the utility. They have a direct incentive to install fixtures that perform.

How the Rebate Process Works: Step by Step

The entire process, from first consultation to finished installation, typically takes 4 to 5 weeks. Here is exactly what happens at each stage.

Step 1: Consultation and building assessment

Fill out the form to get started. Have this information ready:

• Building address
• Total number of units
• Approximate building age or last renovation
• Whether you are the owner or authorized property manager

You will receive a preliminary eligibility assessment, an estimated savings projection, and a scheduled date for the pre-inspection.

Step 2: Pre-inspection

An inspector visits your property to verify current toilet GPF ratings across units. They check the stamp between the seat hinges on a sample of toilets, count eligible units, note any ADA requirements, and assess plumbing compatibility (supply line sizes, flange condition, rough-in dimensions).

If some units do not qualify (already have efficient toilets), those are excluded. The rest move forward. You receive a final count of eligible units and the total savings projection.

Step 3: LADWP approval

The application is submitted through SoCal Water$mart, LADWP’s official rebate platform. Approval typically takes about 10 business days.

What can cause delays: incomplete building information, buildings under ownership dispute, or high-volume application periods. Having accurate unit counts and clear ownership documentation accelerates the process.

Step 4: Installation

This is where the experience from 500,000+ installations matters. Professional teams handle:

• Scheduling: Coordinated with property management to minimize disruption
• Tenant notice: At least 24 hours’ written notice, as California Civil Code 1954 requires; in practice 48 hours
• Speed: 50 toilets per day, 20 minutes per unit. A 100-unit building is done in 1 to 2 days
• Hardware: New supply lines, wax rings, and mounting bolts, all included
• Testing: Every toilet tested before the team leaves the unit
• Haul-away: Old toilets removed and recycled. Nothing left behind

Step 5: Post-inspection and sign-off

A final inspection verifies every installation meets LADWP program standards. You receive completion documentation for your records. Water savings begin immediately. You will see the reduction reflected on your next billing cycle.

What you actually do: sign one authorization form. That is it. We handle 100% of the process: eligibility verification, LADWP application, tenant coordination, installation, inspection, and documentation. One form from you. We do the rest.

What Property Managers Need to Know Before Applying

The most common reasons property managers hesitate, and the facts behind each concern.

"This sounds too good to be true."

It is funded by ratepayer conservation dollars. For LADWP, paying $300 per toilet is cheaper than building new water infrastructure or purchasing additional imported water rights. The utility saves money by reducing demand, which is why it covers 100% of the cost. This is public utility economics, not a sales gimmick.

"My tenants won’t cooperate."

Tenants receive at least 24 hours’ written notice, as California Civil Code 1954 requires, and usually 48 hours. Each installation takes 20 minutes, less disruptive than routine maintenance. Tenants do not need to be home. Across 500,000+ installations, tenant cooperation is rarely an issue. New fixtures are a tangible upgrade most tenants appreciate.

"I don’t want contractors in my building for weeks."

A 100-unit building is completed in 1 to 2 days. 50 toilets per day, 20 minutes per unit. Professional crews coordinate through property management, work floor by floor, and leave each unit clean and functional. This is not a weeks-long construction project.

"What if there’s water damage?"

Licensed, insured installation teams with hundreds of thousands of completed installs. New supply lines, wax rings, and mounting hardware are standard on every unit. Each toilet is tested before the team leaves. The risk of damage from professional installation is lower than the ongoing risk from aging fixtures and deteriorating components.

"We already did low-flow toilets."

If your "low-flow" toilets are 1.6 GPF, the federal standard since 1994, they still use 44% more water per flush than today’s 0.9 GPF models. You likely still qualify. Only buildings with toilets already at 1.28 GPF or below are ineligible. Check the GPF stamp between the seat hinges.

"Tenants pay water. I don’t benefit."

Even when tenants pay the water bill, owners benefit five ways: (1) regulatory compliance with EBEWE, SB 407, and the LA Plumbing Ordinance, (2) reduced maintenance calls and fewer plumbing issues, (3) lower tenant turnover, because lower utility costs reduce effective rent and turnover costs $3K to $5K per unit, (4) higher property value from free fixtures worth $200 to $400 per toilet, and (5) better water benchmarking scores.

How the LADWP Program Compares to Other LA Water Rebates

Several water conservation programs operate in the Los Angeles area. Here is how they compare, and when each applies.

Can you combine programs?

Not for the same fixtures. Under LADWP’s terms for TAP (the Technical Assistance Program), a customer who takes a TAP incentive for toilets or other fixtures cannot also use the menu-based rebates for them. TAP pays $7 per 1,000 gallons saved, up to $2 million per project, and it suits measures the standard rebates do not cover, such as submeters, cooling tower upgrades and water recycling systems.

Outside LADWP territory?

If your building receives water from a different utility (LADBS, Glendale Water, Burbank Water), the LADWP program does not apply. However, the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) offers separate rebates through participating member agencies. Check with your local water provider or SoCal Water$mart to find programs in your service area.

Frequently Asked Questions