Water Conservation
Water Conservation
Home inspectors do not do what we do. Metro Retrofitting will do a thorough compliance inspection and install required devices as needed. Impacted fixtures commonly include toilets, shower heads and faucets.
Local laws: Various water conservation measures are required by municipalities throughout California. Most require compliance as a condition of sale or transfer of properties.
Specified devices may include:
• Ultra Low Flow toilets — use 1.6 gallons or less per flush
• High Efficiency toilets — use 1.28 gallons or less per flush
• Ultra Low Flow urinals — use 1.0 gallons or less per flush
• Low Flow showerheads — use 2.5 gallons or less per minute
• Faucet Aerators, Flow Restrictors, or Low Flow faucets — typically use 2.5 gallons per minute; sometimes required to use as 2.2 gallons or less per minute
Various rebates are often available through local water providers for purchase of fixtures which meet or exceed compliance standards.
State law: SB 407, enacted October 11, 2009, mandates water conservation performance standards, and specific disclosure requirements at sale of properties. As of January 1, 2017, a seller or transferer of single-family residential real property, multifamily residential real property, or commercial real property must disclose, in writing, specified requirements for replacing plumbing fixtures. Disclosure must include:
• Water use standards for toilets (1.28 gpf), urinals (1.0 gpf), showers (2.5 gpm) and faucets (2.2 gpm); and,
• Whether the real property includes non-compliant plumbing.
(Existing 1.6 G.P.F. toilets are compliant at point of sale)
More stringent local ordinances or policies may be enacted. Exceptions: registered historical sites or where installation of water-conserving plumbing fixtures is not technically feasible.
ARTICLE 1.4. Installation of Water Use Efficiency Improvements [1101.1 – 1101.8] ( Article 1.4 added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 587, Sec. 1. )
Civil Code 1101.4
(a) On and after January 1, 2014, for all building alterations or improvements to single-family residential real property, as a condition for issuance of a certificate of final completion and occupancy or final permit approval by the local building department, the permit applicant shall replace all noncompliant plumbing fixtures with water-conserving plumbing fixtures.
(b) On or before January 1, 2017, noncompliant plumbing fixtures in any single-family residential real property shall be replaced by the property owner with water-conserving plumbing fixtures.
(c) On and after January 1, 2017, a seller or transferer of single-family residential real property shall disclose in writing to the prospective purchaser or transferee the requirements of subdivision (b) and whether the real property includes any noncompliant plumbing fixtures.
(Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 587, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2010.)
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