Definition of “Water Conservation Retrofit Devices”
Why would I want to replace a perfectly good toilet?
How do I know if the County Ordinance applies to my property?
What if I have my own well or I receive water from one of the private water systems, Mutual Water Companies, Water Districts, City of Capitola, Scotts Valley or Watsonville. Do I still have to retrofit per County Code 7.69?
Do I have to retrofit my mobile home?
Who is responsible for retrofitting the property?
What if I want to transfer responsibility for the retrofit to the buyer?
What is required if the property is being sold “For Sale By Owner”?
What are the low consumption standards for showerheads and toilets?
How do I know if I have low consumption showerheads?
I don’t know how much water my toilet flushes. How do I find out?
What do I do with the old toilets?
What toilets should I buy?
Can I get a toilet rebate when I replace my showerhead or toilet?
My home already has all low consumption fixtures. What do I do?
Where do I get the “Water Conservation Certification” form?
Where do I get the “Disclosure” form?
I cannot download an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file. How do I get a copy of the “Disclosure” and/or “Certification” forms?
How do I get more information?
Definition of “Water Conservation Retrofit Devices”
Revised section 7.69.020 of the County Code specifically defines “water conservation retrofit devices” as low-flow showerheads (max. 2.5gpm) and ultra-low-flush toilets (max. 1.6gpf). Installing a showerhead flow restrictor (washer) or toilet tank displacement bag, dam, brick etc., does NOT qualify.
Why would I want to replace a perfectly good toilet?
The installation of water-saving low-flow showerheads and ultra-low-flush toilets will result in substantial conservation of water and energy and reduce the burden on septic tank and sewer systems. A recent study conducted in Seattle measured water use in single-family homes before and after installation of high efficiency toilets (DeOreo, et. al. 2001). The study found that when a family of four replaces all of their toilets with new high efficiency models, one family would save more than 14,000 gallons of water per year by installing 1.6 gpf toilets and more than 17,000 gallons of water per year by installing dual flush toilets!
Toilets and showers account for a combined 43.5% of the annual total water consumption per household.
How much water do indoor fixtures use?
How do I know if the County Ordinance applies to my property?
The County of Santa Cruz “Installation of Water Conservation Devices” Code, Chapter 7.69, applies to all residential, commercial and industrial properties located in the UNincorporated area of Santa Cruz County, outside the cities of Capitola, Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Santa Cruz, and the Santa Cruz City water service areas.
If your property is located in the UNincorporated areas of the county but you receive water from the Santa Cruz City Water Department, (such as in the Live Oak area) your are still required to retrofit under County Code 7.74. For more information about Chapter 7.74 compliance requirements, please contact the City of Santa Cruz Water Conservation Office at (831) 420-5230 or go to the City’s Water Department, Water Conservation Office web site at www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/wt/conservation/index.html
What if I have my own well or I receive water from one of the private water systems, Mutual Water Companies, Water Districts, City of Capitola, Scotts Valley or Watsonville. Do I still have to retrofit per County Code 7.69?
Yes, if the residential, commercial, or industrial property you are selling is located in the UNincorporated area of the County of Santa Cruz.
No, if your property is located in the INcorporated areas of Capitola, Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Santa Cruz or within the City of Santa Cruz water service areas.
Do I have to retrofit my mobile home?
Yes, if the mobile home is owned along with the underlying parcel. No, if the mobile home is located on leased land.
Who is responsible for retrofitting the property?
The County regulations make the seller responsible for retrofitting. The seller may do the work him/herself or may hire someone to complete the retrofit. The County of Santa Cruz does not arrange for the retrofit fixtures or pay for the work to be completed.
Before hiring a professional check out What to Know, Before You Go, Low Flow
Do-It-Yourselfers click on Installation Tips
Santa Cruz County does not arrange for the retrofit fixtures, nor pay for the work to be completed.
What if I want to transfer responsibility for the retrofit to the buyer?
The County of Santa Cruz Code does NOT permit a transfer of responsibility from the seller to the buyer. The County regulations make the seller responsible for completing all of the retrofits prior to the date of sale.
NOTE: 7.69.060 Violation—Penalty: Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of an infraction and be fined in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.12.040 of the Santa Cruz County Code.
Each day such a violation is committed or permitted to continue shall be a separate offense and shall be punishable as such. (Ord. 4698 § 2 (part), 1/7/2003). There is also civil remedy (7.69.070) for buyers.
What is required if the property is being sold “For Sale by Owner”?
The seller is responsible for completing the “Disclosure” form, all of the retrofits, and filling out and mailing the “Water Conservation Certification” form to the County of Santa Cruz prior to the recording of any deed transferring title to the property to implement a sale of the property, or prior to the recording of a contract of sale pursuant to Section 2985 of the California Civil Code.
What are the low consumption standards for showerheads and toilets?
Plumbing Fixtures should be manufactured to meet the following standards:
Low-flow Showerheads maximum rating of 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm)
Ultra-low-flow Toilets maximum rating of 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf)
How do I know if I have low consumption showerheads?
First, check your showerhead for any labels that may say 2.5 gpm (gallons per minute). If you purchased and installed a new showerhead in the last ten years, it will be a 2.5 gpm model, since all showerheads sold in California were low consumption models beginning in 1992.
I don’t know how much water my toilet flushes. How do I find out?
Toilets that were manufactured in 1994 or later are stamped or marked (at the back of the seat) 1.6 gpf or 6.0 lpf (liter per flush).
If your toilet does not have a stamp or mark identifying is as a low consumption fixture, please check the County’s website at the link How Much Water Does Your Toilet Use? to help you determine the flush volume of your toilet.
What do I do with the old toilets?
Recycle them. For more information, call the County of Santa Cruz Recycle Hotline at 454-2333.
What toilets should I buy?
The Installation of Water Conservation Devices regulations do not require any specific brand of toilet, nor does the County recommend any particular model. The law simply requires that older higher volume toilets be replaced with ultra-low-flow toilets.
For more information see What to Know, Before You Go, Low Flow or Maximum Performance (MaP) Testing of Popular Toilet Models
Can I get a toilet rebate when I replace my showerhead or toilet?
Please check with your water purveyor.
My home already has all low consumption fixtures. What do I do?
Congratulations! You are already saving a lot of water. Just fill out, sign and mail in the “Water Conservation Certification” form to the County.
Once you have the form:
1. Fill in the basic information, items 1 through 4 on the top of the form.
2. If you have replaced any showerheads or toilets with fixtures that meet the low-flow standards, indicate the numbers in item a.
3. If you are claiming any exemptions, such as having fixtures that already meet the low flow standards, please check all that apply in item b.
4. Sign and date the “Water Conservation Certification” form, then send a copy to the buyer and mail the original form to:
Water Conservation Program, 701 Ocean St., Room 312, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Where do I get the “Water Conservation Certification” form?
At our County website, or at real estate offices and at the County of Santa Cruz Water Conservation Program office, located at 701 Ocean St., Room 312, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Where do I get the “Disclosure” form?
At our County website, or at real estate offices and at the County of Santa Cruz Water Conservation Program office, located at 701 Ocean St., Room 312, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
I cannot download an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file. How do I get a copy of the “Disclosure” and/or “Certification” forms?
If you cannot download an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file, the form is available at real estate offices and at the County of Santa Cruz Water Conservation Program office, located at 701 Ocean St., Room 312, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
How do I get more information?
For more information or copies of the forms, please contact:
The County of Santa Cruz Water Conservation Program Office 701 Ocean St., Room 312 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Phone: (831) 454-3133 Fax: (831) 454-3128Internet address:
http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/eh/Water_Resources/water_conservation.htm
OR E-mail:
Mike.Cloud@co.santa-cruz.ca.us
(For Subject type in: Low flow devices)