“Replacing old toilets with high efficiency models can save a family of four up to 24,000 gallons of water and $140 each year,” says Seattle Public Utilities, pointedly.

But realizing that water-saving toilets don’t install themselves, the absurdly named Seattle Human Services Department’s Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens (or SHSDMOFSC) has partnered with Seattle Public Utilities and the Senior Services’ Minor Home Repair Program to offer low-income home owners free installation by a licensed plumber, in addition to the aforementioned toilet.

The basic criteria you need to meet are these: You are a homeowner with a Seattle Public Utilities account, currently live in the home you own, and meet income guidelines for your household size (see pdf); a single home owner can’t make more than $2,500 per month to qualify. For a household of four, it’s $4,800 per month. Also, the toilets you have must have been manufactured before 1994.

If you don’t qualify as low-income, your purchase of a high-efficiency WaterSense-labeled toilet may still make you eligible for a $30 rebate.

You may still have questions about the performance of your water-saving toilet. Seattle Public Utilities anticipates this–early low-flow toilet models earned a bad name for the wimpiness of their flush–and has a performance testing report for you to peruse.

To get started or ask for more details, call Minor Home Repair at (206) 448-5751 (TTY 206-448-5025) or email them at UDP@seattle.gov.