Media Corner

For Immediate Release
September 30, 2008

Central Basin's Recent Drought-Proofing Efforts a Success

COMMERCE, CA- Central Basin Municipal Water District hosted the final High-Efficiency Toilet (HET) distribution of the 3-part program on Saturday, September 27, in the City of Artesia. Nearly 500 residents from the District's 24-city service area lined up in the early morning hours Saturday to receive their FREE Caroma® dual-flush HET.

To qualify, residents had to replace water-wasting 3-5 gallon per flush (gpf) toilets with the newer, 1.3 gallon HETs. Additionally, residents agreed to return their old toilet within two weeks for recycling.

"This is just a great program all around. We get to help local community groups raise money, while working with residents to reduce their daily water use," said Central Basin Director Phil Hawkins, who represents Division V. "During dry times like these, programs like this one are critical to sustaining the local water supplies."

Installing a High Efficiency Toilet, which conserves 35 gallons a day for the average sized family, is one of the most effective ways to reduce water use in the home. The estimated 750 HETs distributed through this program will conserve more than 9 million gallons of water annually for the region.

"Now that we are in a drought, it is important that our residents realize the many simple, affordable ways they can reduce their water use and contribute to conservation on a bigger scale," said Central Basin Director Ed Vasquez, who represents Division I. "It is our goal to bring that information to residents, and support them in any way we can."

The program was made possible through partnerships with the Golden State Water Company and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Funds raised from the recycling of old toilets from each event will be donated to the participating community-based organizations (CBOs). A list of all CBOs is below.