Tampa Bay Region - Southwest Florida Water Management District

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
FY2014 COOPERATIVE FUNDING INITIATIVE APPLICATION FORM
Project Name
FGUA Toilet Rebate Program -- Phase IV
Project Number N567
Cooperator
Florida Governmental Utility Authority
Department
Contact Person Matthew Rihs
Address
6915 Perrine Ranch Road
City Sate Zip New Port Richey, FL 34655
Phone #
727-372-0115 ext330
Email
mrihs@govmserv.com
Project Type:
X Water Supply Water Quality Flood Protection Natural Systems
Strategic Initiatives:
Water Quality Maintenance and Improvement Water Quality Monitoring
Alternative Water Supply
X Conservation
Reclaimed Water Regional Water Supply Planning
Emergency Flood Response Floodplain Management
Minimum Flows and Level Establishment and Monitoring Minimum Flows and Levels Recovery
Natural Systems Conservation and Restoration Natural Systems Identification and Monitoring
Indicate All Counties to Benefit From Project:
Charlotte Citrus Desoto Hardee Hernando Highlands Hillsborough Lake
Levy Manatee Marion X Pasco Pinellas Sarasota Sumter Polk
Project Description:
The Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) proposes a fourth phase of its Water Conservation Incentive Program for
continued consideration of funding in the Coastal Rivers, Pinellas-Anclote, and Hillsborough River Basins for FY 2014. The fourth
annual program will provide account credits for the purchase and installation of Water Sense-certified low-flow, ultra-low flow, and
high efficiency toilets to residential customers replacing conventional toilet fixtures designed and installed prior to 1995. The FGUA
will provide up to a $100 account credit for the purchase of a Water Sense-certified low-flow toilet and a $60 credit for the purchase
of a second Water Sense-certified low flow toilet. The program will cover the replacement of up to 200 toilets, with a maximum of
two rebates per customer account.
According to an opinion poll conducted by Tampa Bay Water in 2005, nearly 60 percent of Pasco County Residents signified they
would participated in a low-flow toilet rebate program if it was offered. The purpose of the program continues its aim to decrease
the amount of water consumed during toilet flushing in residential communities in its Pasco Systems service areas by encouraging
customers to purchase Water Sense-certified low-flow (LFT), ultra-low flow (ULFT) or high efficiency (HET) toilets. The program
also would provide water conservation informational materials and educational flyers, including education on maintaining toilet
flapper valves, checking for toilet leaks and other ways the FGUA customers may save water expended from their bathroom
fixtures. A third-party contractor, Demetri's Solutions, will review applications, inspect, authorize, dispose of old toilet and report
participants and FGUA customers to the FGUA that have successfully installed LFTs, ULFTs, and HETs. Another third-party
contractor, Lithohaus (Mailhaus) Printers will print educational and outreach material drafted by the FGUA for the program,
including the program tri-fold to be placed with customers' bills prior to the start of the program. The FGUA will purchase paper and
supplies from a third-party vendor for printing and mailing of program surveys to participants receiving account credits. The FGUA,
through its its management contractor, Government Services Group, will be tasked with developing and maintaining records of
program participants, providing credits to customers and reporting project milestones to SWFWMD.
Additional information, including the Project Scope, and the spreadsheets for estimated savings, program costs, and cost benefit
are available in the "documents" section.
Describe your organizations efforts in developing, implementing and enforcing water conservation and flood protection
ordinances.
The FGUA follows, notified, and encourages its customers to adhere to existing and any future revisions for SWFWMD-regulated
water restrictions through billing notices on billing statements, press releases to local media as well as on the FGUA web site. The
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