Do you have water-conserving plumbing fixtures?

As temperatures here in San Diego reach their annual highs, water conservation is a hot topic on everyone's minds.  Particularly, if you are thinking of selling a property that receives water from the City of San Diego, you must ensure that water-conserving plumbing fixtures are in place.  This is considered a "point-of-sale requirement" as it must be complied with in order to successfully close the sale.  Note: The buyer and seller can mutually agree to transfer the responsibility of retrofitting the plumbing fixtures to the buyer.  However, this is typically taken care of by the seller prior to the close of escrow.

So what are these requirements?   They are as follows:

Plumbing Fixture Retrofit Requirements

• Toilets which are manufactured to use more than 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) must be replaced with Ultra-Low Flush Toilets (ULFTs) that use 1.6 gpf or less.  Modifications intended to reduce the flow of an existing toilet, such as the use of toilet bags, dams, bricks, or other alternative flushing devices, are not permissible and do not comply with the Code provisions. 
• Shower heads that emit more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm) must be replaced with a low-flow shower head that uses no more than 2.5 gpm.  Shower head flow restrictors are not acceptable.  The entire shower head must be replaced with a low-flow model. 
• Sink faucets (bathroom, bar, and kitchen sink faucets) that use more than 2.2 gpm must be retrofitted.  Faucet aerators may be installed to reduce the water flow. 
• Reverse Osmosis Systems require automatic shut-off valves. 
• Urinals that use more than 1.0 gpf must be replaced with low-flush models.  The entire fixture must be replaced, not just the flush valve.

How can you tell how many gallons per flush your toilet uses or how many gallons of water per minute your sink faucets use?  This can be easily measured and calculated if you don't know the brand and model of your fixtures.  To learn more, visit the following links:

1. Measure the flow rate of your shower heads
2. Measure the flow rate of your sinks
3. Determine the flow rate of your toilets

The seller of a property must also file a Water Conservation Certificate with the City of San Diego prior to a transfer of ownership.  Note: The filing of a Water Conservation Certificate is not necessary if the property already has a valid certificate on file with the City.  If you have any questions related to these matters, or you would like to receive a copy of this certificate, click here to e-mail me.