The Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority (WSA) has received $300,000 in federal stimulus money to continue its already popular rebate program for water efficient toilets.

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue earlier this week announced the awarding of $5.6 million funding for five state projects, including the WSA program.

The WSA funding includes a $120,000 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and a $180,000 CWSRF grant. The program is administered by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA).

Under the terms of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for green projects, up to 60 percent of the loan principal will be forgiven. WSA will pay 3 percent interest on the loan portion.

Barbara Williams, WSA spokesperson, said Friday that WSA began the rebate program on Oct. 15 when stimulus funding was still unsure.

“On the first day of the program, customers were lined up outside Lowe’s when it opened at 6 a.m.,” Williams said. “WSA has given out rebates for about 400 toilets, for a total of approximately $34,000.”

The rebate program applies only to WSA customers, in good financial standing with WSA, who live in homes constructed prior to 1994. They can earn up to $200 rebates per household. The toilets must have been purchased on or after Oct. 15 and be on a list of approved toilets.

Rebates include $50 for an ultra low-flow toilet (1.6 gallons per flush) and $100 per high efficiency toilet (1.28 gallons per flush).

With the additional $300,000, Williams said WSA will now be able to expand its rebate program beyond the current single-family residential customers.

“After the first of the year, when we decide we’ve reached as many of the single-family customers as we can, we’ll make a decision to move on to another group,” she said. “The more water-guzzling toilets we can get out of service, the more the demand on the system will be reduced, which helps reduce the need for future expansion of the water treatment plant and reservoir.”