Retrofit Program

The Retrofit on Change of Service Program has been in place since 2004 and complements California Senate Bill 407.

This policy mandates that all plumbing fixtures, including toilets, showerheads, and sink faucets, be low-flow. Verification or replacement is required within 90 days upon a change in ownership or account holder.

Here is how it works:

• Upon a change of water service (when the account holder changes in the Department of Water and Power (DWP)’s records), the new property owner must file a Water Conservation Certificate with the DWP within 90 days of receipt of the certificate.
• If the DWP does not already have a certificate on file, a notification letter and certificate will be mailed to you.
• All plumbing fixtures must be inspected to ensure that they are low-flow/flush. Detailed instructionsare included in the letter. 
  • Toilets must have flush volumes of 1.6 Gallons Per Flush (GPF) or less.
  • Bathroom faucets must have flow rates of 1.2 gallons per minute or less.*
  • Kitchen faucets must have flow rates of 1.8 gallons per minute or less with a temporary ability to boost flow to 2.2 gallons per minute to fill pots and pans.*  
  • Showerheads must have flow rates of 1.8 gallons per minute or less.*

*Faucets and showerheads are held to the California standard because the BBLDWP provides these items free of charge. Pre-existing toilets must follow the Federal standard of 1.6 GPF maximum.

To ensure customer compliance, the DWP provides customers with free WaterSense Certified replacement faucet aerators & showerheads. We also offer a toilet rebate program. To participate in the the toilet rebate program, you must contact the Conservation Department before replacing your toilet.

• If the plumbing fixtures are not already low-flow/flush, all necessary retrofits need to be made within 90 days, and the certificate needs to be filled out, signed by the property owner, and returned to the DWP office. Replacement fixtures must follow current California state standards (including 1.28 GPF toilets). 
• If the plumbing fixtures are already low-flow/flush, the certificate needs to be filled out, signed by the property owner and returned to the DWP office within 90 days.

Mandatory January 1, 2016 for new fixtures in California

• Residential lavatory (bathroom) faucets shall not exceed 1.2 gallons per minute flow rate.
• Kitchen faucets shall not exceed 1.8 gallons per minute flow rate and may have the capability to increase to 2.2 gallons per minute momentarily for filling pots and pans.
• Public lavatory (bathroom) faucets shall not exceed 0.5 gallon per minute flow rate.
• Toilets shall not consume more than 1.28 GPF.

You can check the plumbing fixtures yourself using this Helpful Guide. We can also schedule a time to assist you remotely through this process using FaceTime.

*Normally DWP conservation staff can conduct a free indoor plumbing survey at your property, by appointment and during normal business hours, but this service has been put on hold due to COVID-19 precautions.

To ensure compliance, the DWP conducts random inspections on 20% of all properties certified.

Documents 

• Print a copy of the Water Conservation Certificate.
• Download the DWP’s Water Conservation Policy. Section 1.7 is the Retrofit on Change of Service Program.
• This Helpful Guide  provides instructions on how to find and/or measure the water volumes of your plumbing fixtures.

Instructions for Checking Plumbing Fixtures

Remember, if you have questions, please contact the Conservation Department or schedule a free indoor plumbing survey. We would be happy to assist you!

Toilets - As a general rule, toilets manufactured before 1994 are high-flush with volumes of 3.5-7 GPF and most toilets manufactured in the United States from 1994 to present are low-flush with volumes of 1.6 GPF or 1.28 GPF. Toilets manufactured in Mexico or elsewhere do not follow these same standards (Example: Lamosa) . 

For most toilet models, the date or flush volume is typically imprinted under the lid of the tank or on the inside walls of the tank. For some models, the flush volume is stamped on the toilet between the bowl and the tank.

The use of displacement devices such as bottles or bricks, or the installation/ adjustment of flush valves or alternative flushing devices is prohibited.

Showerheads - The flow rate is typically stamped somewhere on the outside of the showerhead or on the face where the spray comes out. Showerhead flow restrictors are not acceptable.

Sink Faucets -  The flow rate is typically stamped somewhere on the faucet aerator, which is the tip of the faucet.