Illegal immigration and low-flow toilets have met at Denver Water – which now requires proof of legal U.S. residency before issuing rebates on the water-saving devices.
Denver Water wants affidavits declaring citizenship and valid identification before sending out rebates to people who buy water-saving toilets, clothes washers or irrigation devices.
In the first seven months of 2006, the utility had issued more than $700,000 in rebates on 3,420 washers and 198 toilets.
On Aug. 1, Gov. Bill Owens signed a package of bills designed to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining state benefits that range from public assistance to state contracts.
Rebates are individual contracts, said Patricia Wells, attorney for Denver Water.
The rebates encourage water conservation. Buying an efficient washer nets a $200 rebate; new toilets get rebates of up to $125. Rain sensors receive between $25 and $50 in rebates.
No payments have been sent since July 28, while the legalities are worked out, said Liz Gardener, the utility’s conservation program manager.
The program is $251,475 over budget, Gardener said.
“I underestimated,” Gardener said. “But it’s a good thing. It means we’re saving water.”
