BURBANK FLUSH WITH LOW-FLOW TOILETS IN WEEKEND PROGRAM.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer

BURBANK - Hundreds of Burbank residents are expected to exchange their old toilets for new ones this weekend, part of a recycling program to encourage the installation of low-flow units.

The city is replacing 3.5-gallon toilets with 1.6-gallon models designed to save water. The program is funded in part by Burbank Water and Power, and by the Metropolitan Water District, from which the city purchases most of its water.

Mary Forrest, BWP's senior conservation adviser, said by reducing the amount of water homeowners use, the BWP reduces the amount it has to buy from the MWD and ultimately the water district can sell more to other agencies.

``These are water reducing and in that line of thinking, when (residents are) reducing water, they're also reducing the amount they're spending on water,'' she said.

Forrest said when the program began eight years ago it was primarily to save water and get the region through the drought. But it has continued largely because it is a highly successful fund-raiser for the Burbank High band and the Burroughs High football team.

In exchange for handing out information about the program, the groups get equal shares of $15 for each unit replaced and recycled.

Homeowners are limited to two new units each. Anyone in Burbank may participate, but arrangements have to be made by the homeowner, business owner or landlord for rental units.

Forrest said she expects to give away approximately 575 toilets this year, at a value of about $120 each. The program has provided more than 4,500 units over the last eight years.

To learn the location of the recycling center, participants must preregister with the BWP Conservation Department by calling [phone].

Participants will receive the new toilets on Saturday but the old units may be returned to the center on Sunday or on March 24.

Forrest said the porcelain from recycled toilets is used for paving roads.