REPRESENTATIVE KARLA DRENNER PRE-FILES WATER SAVING LEGISLATION WITH A TAX CREDIT 

Measure Requires Water Saving Plumbing by 2014 

ATLANTA—Georgia State House Representative Karla Drenner (D-Dekalb) today pre-filed a water-saving measure that will tighten water flow requirements for toilets, shower heads, and faucets installed in commercial and residential buildings by 2014.  Drenner’s legislation also includes a tax credit  for the replacement of certain plumbing fixtures in existing residential and commercial buildings.

“As our drought continues to worsen in Georgia, we can no longer afford to merely give lip service to water conservation and water saving measures,” Drenner said.  “This new measure sets a reasonable time table for all of our plumbing fixtures in both commercial and residential buildings to meet a water saving standard.  Wishes and prayers are no longer enough, we must also take action as responsible citizens and do our part to conserve water where we are able to do so.”

This measure requires the installation of greater water saving fixtures in all commercial and residential new construction, renovations and replacement of existing plumbing fixtures by January 1, 2014.  The bill also includes a tax credit for the replacement of certain plumbing fixtures including shower heads, water closets, urinals, and faucets.  The proposed tax credits range from $10 to $100.

Co-sponsors on the legislation include Representatives Stephanie Benfield (D-Atlanta), John Lunsford (R-McDonough), Michele Henson (D-Stone Mountain), and Brian Thomas (D-Lilburn).

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