Property owners could soon be flushing money down the toilet if they don't comply with San Francisco's 2009 conservation ordinance requiring water-efficient fixtures. Violations could mean a fine of $48/month, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Owners will also be on the hook for hearing costs to resolve the matter. To show compliance, owners must submit an affidavit to the city.

Effective Jan. 1, commercial toilets must have a maximum of 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Almost 30% of the 160,000 commercial toilets in San Francisco are not in compliance with a city law requiring water-efficient toilets and faucets by year’s end.

Urinals can use no more than one gallon of water per flush while showerheads can’t use more than 2.5 gallons per minute. Faucets must also use no more than 2.2 gallons per minute. About 86% of urinals and 20% of showerheads don’t meet this requirement.

To help property owners, the Public Utilities Commission has been handing out rebates of up to $125 for a tank toilet, up to $500 for a high-pressure commercial flushometer toilet, and up to $500 per urinal. The PUC is also giving out water-efficient showerheads and offers free installation at commercial properties for a 1.2-gallon basic toilet.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's Julie Ortiz told the Chronicle upgraded fixtures can use up to 50% less water and are one of the biggest ways for the city to lower its water usage. [SFC]