Quick answer
Start with toilets: EPA says they use nearly 30 percent of indoor water, and WaterSense models at 1.28 gallons per flush can save a family nearly 13,000 gallons a year. SoCal Water$mart pays at least $40 per qualifying 1.1 gallon per flush toilet and at least $100 for flow monitors. California law also requires replacing older noncompliant fixtures in single-family homes.
Updated · By the San Diego Plumber Pros editorial team · How we research
Why do water savings matter so much in San Diego?
Water in San Diego County is billed by the unit, and the City of San Diego's water billing rates charge single-family homes a higher price per unit as monthly use climbs. Other water districts in the county set their own rates, but the principle is the same: every gallon you avoid saves money. In the city, single-family sewer charges are also based on winter water use, so indoor savings can count twice. Our water bill guide walks through the current rate tiers and how the sewer charge is set.
Does California require low-flow fixtures?
Yes, for older fixtures. California Civil Code 1101.3 defines a noncompliant plumbing fixture as a toilet made to use more than 1.6 gallons per flush, a showerhead with a flow capacity over 2.5 gallons per minute, or an interior faucet that emits more than 2.2 gallons per minute. Under Civil Code 1101.4, owners of single-family homes had to replace noncompliant fixtures by January 1, 2017, permit applicants must replace them as a condition of final approval for alterations or improvements, and sellers must disclose in writing whether the home has any.
Which upgrades save the most water?
| Upgrade | EPA WaterSense figure | Rebate (SoCal Water$mart base) |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet | Toilets use nearly 30% of indoor water; labeled models use 1.28 gpf or less and can save nearly 13,000 gallons a year | From $40 for qualifying 1.1 gpf or less toilets replacing 1.6 gpf or more |
| Showerhead | Showers are nearly 17% of indoor use; labeled showerheads can save a family 2,700 gallons a year | Not listed as a base rebate; some districts give them free |
| Bathroom faucet or aerator | Older faucets above 2.2 gpm are noncompliant in California (Civil Code 1101.3); a WaterSense aerator is the cheapest fix | Not listed as a base rebate |
| Clothes washer | High efficiency washers use 55% less water than standard washers (SoCal Water$mart) | From $85 |
| Flow monitor or leak detector | Tracks household use and flags leaks | From $100; not all models qualify in all areas |
Toilet and showerhead figures come from EPA's WaterSense toilet and showerhead pages; EPA also has a guide to WaterSense bathroom faucets. Rebate figures are Metropolitan Water District base amounts from the SoCal Water$mart rebate overview; the program says amounts can vary by local water agency.
How do the toilet rebates work?
SoCal Water$mart's toilet rebate page says rebates of $40 per toilet are available for premium high-efficiency toilets using 1.1 gallons per flush or less, the new toilet must replace one using 1.6 gallons per flush or more, and the model must be on the program's qualifying product list. Check the list before you buy, and keep the receipt.
Are smart leak monitors worth it?
They can be, because a hidden leak runs around the clock. SoCal Water$mart says flow monitor and leak detection devices track household water use, some models can shut off the water remotely, and rebates start at $100 for qualifying models, though not every model qualifies in every area. Its flow monitor program page explains that some devices clip onto the utility meter and only fit certain meter types, while others are installed on the home's supply line, which is plumbing work. Check eligibility with the program's rebate estimator before buying.
What about outdoor water?
SoCal Water$mart says up to 70 percent of California's residential water supply is applied to home landscapes, and that many are overwatered because controllers are not programmed properly. Weather-based irrigation controllers qualify for rebates starting at $80 per controller for landscapes under one acre. Irrigation is usually not plumbing work in the narrow sense, but a leaking valve or broken lateral line on an irrigation system shows up on the same water bill.
Do I need a plumber or a permit?
Swapping a showerhead or aerator is a homeowner task. A toilet swap usually is too. Moving drain lines, adding fixtures or installing a whole-house shutoff valve is plumbing work; anything that needs a permit must be done by a CSLB licensed contractor if you hire it out, because the $1,000 minor work exemption does not cover permitted work, according to CSLB's AB 2622 bulletin. Our hiring guide explains how to check a license.
How does this site fit in?
This site is an independent homeowner guide operated by SWKM GmbH. We are not a contractor, we hold no license and we do not perform plumbing work. If you want help, email us your city or ZIP, what is happening and a few photos. We reply by email with practical next steps and, where we know a licensed contractor for your area, an introduction. Run the license checks above on anyone you hire.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a noncompliant fixture in California?
Civil Code 1101.3 defines it as a toilet made to use more than 1.6 gallons per flush, a urinal over one gallon per flush, a showerhead with a flow capacity over 2.5 gallons per minute, or an interior faucet emitting more than 2.2 gallons per minute. Single-family homes were required to replace these by January 1, 2017.
How much is the toilet rebate in San Diego County?
SoCal Water$mart lists a base rebate of $40 per toilet for qualifying premium high-efficiency models using 1.1 gallons per flush or less that replace toilets using 1.6 gallons per flush or more. The program says local water agencies may offer different amounts, so use its Estimate Your Rebate tool for your address.
Which water-saving upgrade should I do first?
Usually the toilets, especially if any use more than 1.6 gallons per flush. EPA says toilets are nearly 30 percent of indoor water use and that WaterSense models can save a family nearly 13,000 gallons a year. Aerators and showerheads are the cheapest next step, and fixing leaks comes before all of them.
Do I have to replace old fixtures before selling my home?
Civil Code 1101.4 already required single-family owners to replace noncompliant fixtures by 2017. When selling, you must disclose in writing to the buyer the replacement requirement and whether the home has any noncompliant fixtures, so it is simpler to replace them beforehand.
Sources
Independent homeowner guide operated by SWKM GmbH. Not a licensed contractor. We do not perform plumbing work. More about this site.