DWP Makes Home Deliveries of Free Water-saving Toilets to Customers in Hollywood and Southwest Los Angeles; Toilets Offered Through Door-to-door Canvassing on Aug. 28.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 1999--

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power residential customers in Hollywood and Southwest Los Angeles can expect knocks on their doors and offers to deliver free ultra-low flush toilets to their doorsteps, Saturday, Aug. 28.

This water conservation program is funded by DWP with neighborhood delivery services provided by KYCC (Korean Youth Community Center), AADAP (Asian American Drug Abuse Program) and WLCAC (Watts Labor Community Action Committee), three of six local community organizations involved in this effort.

Customers who have not previously received toilets or rebates for ultra-low flush toilets from DWP will be mailed a postcard explaining the program, followed by a door hanger announcing the day of the neighborhood delivery.

A representative from the DWP-approved community group will knock on the customer's door and offer to drop off the new toilets that day. Two weeks later, the community group will return to pick up the old toilets and will recycle them. This new program brings toilets directly to customers' homes rather than having them pick them up themselves.

"This program is important because it helps our customers and the city achieve our water conservation goals and save money," said David Freeman, DWP general manager. "By delivering toilets directly to the home, we can provide the best possible customer service."

According to the DWP, residential customers who exchange their old water-guzzling toilets for 1.6-gallon water-saving commodes can save up to $35 a year on their water bill and will conserve thousands of gallons of water a year.

Since the ultra-low flush toilet rebate and distribution programs began seven years ago, more than 850,000 toilets have been installed in the city of Los Angeles. As a result of this program, nine billion gallons of water are saved each year, enough water for 55,000 families of four.

The success of this program and other water conservation measures means that Los Angeles does not need to import new, expensive water supplies from outside sources, Freeman said.

The door-to-door community events will occur in various areas of Los Angeles throughout the year.

The three locations where toilets will be distributed on Aug. 28 and by which group are as follows. KYCC will serve the 90038 zip code in Hollywood -- bound by Sunset Boulevard to the north, La Brea to the west, Wilcox to the east and Melrose to the south. AADAP will serve 90247 zip code LADWP customers only. WLCAC will serve the 90044 zip code of Southwest Los Angeles.

Further information about the door-to-door water-saving toilet distribution program and other water conservation programs can be received by calling 800/544-4498.