If you are looking for a way to lower your water bill, replacing an old toilet may be the answer. As a way of helping residents conserve more water, Arlington Water Utilities is giving away 500 high-efficiency toilets through its popular "Go With the Flow' Free Toilet Program.

"A toilet replacement program is a proven strategy to save water at a reasonably low cost compared to developing a new water supply such as a lake,' said Dustan Compton, Conservation Program Coordinator.

To qualify, a resident must rent or own a home built before 1992, still have an old large capacity toilet (3.5 - 7 gallons per flush), and be in good standing with the Water Utilities billing department. Approved applicants can receive two free high-efficiency toilets (1.28 gallons per flush) from the Water Utilities. The resident must commit to installing the toilets by the end of the year.

"This high-efficiency toilet is a proven product that performs just as well as the old, water-wasting toilets, but uses less water to do so,' Compton explained. "By making the switch, a family of four will go from using 3,000 gallons per month to flush toilets to around 800 gallons per month. This move could generate a savings of $90 per year from water and sewer charges.'

When picking up their new toilets, approved applicants may exchange their old showerheads that use 2.5 - 4 gallons per minute for new high-efficiency showerheads that use 2.0 gallons per minute. "This is significant because a 20% savings in water from a shower is not just about water or sewer savings but also energy because you are using less hot water,' Compton said.

Applications can be found online at www.SaveArlingtonWater.com. Look for the link under "Conservation News.' If applicants do not have access to the internet, they can call Dustan Compton at 817-459-6628 for assistance with the application. There is no income requirement to receive a new toilet, which will available on a first-come, first served basis.

The "Go With the Flow' toilet program has been in place since 2009 and has provided over 2,000 high-efficiency toilets.