City of Wichita may extend water rebate program, fund conservation studies

Wichitans who buy water-efficient dishwashers, clothes washers, toilets and other appliances may be able to get rebates from the city if the City Council extends its water rebate program Tuesday.

The city offered a rebate program in 2013 and 2014 as an incentive for residents to use more efficient appliances. Past rebates have been credited to water bills.

So far, more than 7,000 items have been rebated through the program.

In 2013 and 2014, a total of 175 million gallons of water was reduced through the program, city officials estimate.

In 2013, the program had a budget of $1 million, and $243,744 is still unspent, according to city documents.

The city proposes to use $150,000 of that money to fund two studies aimed at long-term conservation.

“These studies would provide an understanding of future conservation strategies related to industrial water re-use and landscaping alternatives,” city documents say.

The rest of the money would be used for rebates.

A list of approved fixtures and specifications for the 2014 program can be found at www.wichita.gov/Government/Departments/PWU/Pages/RebateProgram.aspx.

The website also includes instructions on how to apply for the rebate.

This story was originally published April 6, 2015 at 12:16 PM with the headline "City of Wichita may extend water rebate program, fund conservation studies."