A DeKalb county ordinance mandates the installation of water-conserving fixtures before new homeowners can obtain municipal water.

Home sellers are buyers are scrambling to comply with Georgia’s DeKalb County ordinance that mandates the installation of low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures.

As of June 1, any homes built before 1993 “must have low-flow toilet and plumbing fixtures installed before the new homeowner can obtain water from the county.” According to the ordinance, new homeowners cannot obtain water service until they produce written proof from a home inspector, licensed plumber or a Department of Watershed inspector. Single-family homes and condos must meet the following standards:

• Toilets can have a maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush
• Showerheads can put out a max of 2.5 gallons per minute
• Lavatory faucets can put out a maximum of 2 gallons per minute
• Kitchen faucets can put out a maximum of 2.2 gallons per minute

The law has four exemptions: homes sold via forclosure; homes sold to family members; specifically spouse-to-spouse and parents-to-children sales; homes that will be demolished after the sale; and special circumstances where the cost of the toilet will be more than $1,000 per toilet replacement.

Penalties for violating the laws include a warning for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, and $500 for the third offense.

The Dunwoody Crier reports that DeKalb County is offering a rebate for replacing up to three toilets. Consumers must buy approved toilets from a county-generated list.

More information can be found at www.dekalbwatershed.com.