The Inland Empire Utility Agency (IEUA) has launched an automatic water softener rebate program. If you have an automatic water softener, you can get a rebate for the reasonable value of the unit - from $300 up to $2,000 - and free removal by a pre-qualified licensed plumber.
To apply for the rebate, residents must submit a one page rebate application to the IEUA. The IEUA will reply with an offer containing the rebate amount and your authorization letter to proceed. If you agree wtih the offer, you will then need to sign the authorization letter and schedule an appointment with a plumber on the approved list. Once the plumber removes your automatic water softener the IEUA will mail your rebate check.
The city's web site pointed out that water softeners leave a salty waste that harms our recycled water efforts aimed to ensure our community has a reliable water source for the future. In the Inland Empire, we turn all of our wastewater into recycled water - a guaranteed water source for parks, golf courses, lakes and more. By using recycled water for specific purposes, the IEUA helps our community preserve limited water supplies for drinking water and other household uses.
Automatic water softeners, the type to which you add rock salt or potassium chloride, leave a salty waste that travels down drains and through the sewer system and into one of four water recycling plants. Even though these facilities provide a high level of treatment and remove many impurities and pollutants from the wastewater, they are not designed to remove salts.
If salt levels discharged into the sewer system do not decrease, IEUA will need additional treatment equipment at each water recycling plant which is very costly and could significantly increase your sewer bills. To ensure a reliable recycled water supply, IEUA must reduce TDS levels in wastewater.
The IEUA offers alternative ideas for consumers on the IEUA web site. Rebate applications are available also.
If you have any further questions about the automatic water softener rebate program or want more information about recycled water, you may call the IEUA at 909-993-1550 or email at softenerrebate@ieua.org.
