Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish a rebate program in Minnesota to encourage the replacement of time-based ion exchange water softeners with more efficient demand-based systems. This initiative is intended to promote environmental sustainability and better water management.

Main Provisions

• Rebate Program: A program will be created to offer a $200 rebate for each eligible replacement of a water softener. The initiative is managed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for the rebate, the water softener replacement must:
  1. Upgrade from a time-based to a demand-based ion exchange water softener.
  2. Reduce water hardness from more than ten US grains per gallon to less than one.
  3. Achieve a salt efficiency of over 3500 grains per pound.
  4. Be installed by a licensed contractor between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2027.
• Application Details: Rebate applications must include detailed specifications of the equipment being replaced and installed, as well as estimates of the new equipment's annual salt use. Both the building owner (or lessee) and contractor must sign the application.
• Limitations: A contractor can sign a maximum of 30 rebate applications over the life of the program.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill introduces a new rebate system specifically promoting the transition to demand-based water softeners, encouraging more efficient use of resources and reducing salt usage in water treatment systems.

Relevant Terms

• Rebate program
• Time-based ion exchange water softeners
• Demand-based ion exchange water softeners
• Water hardness
• Salt efficiency
• Pollution Control Agency