The Village of Sussex Sewer Utility is working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in reducing the amount of chlorides (salt) that enter the Wastewater Treatment Plant. One way we are trying to accomplish this is by offering an incentive to improve water softener regeneration efficiencies.

Water softeners that use a timer setting to determine when the softener regenerates (washes salt brine through the softening unit to remove the captured hardness ions) use more salt than their newer counterparts. This is because the softener resin may not be completely filled with hardness ions when the timer says it is time to regenerate. An on-demand regeneration water softener meters the amount of water passing through the softening resin, and regenerates when the capacity to hold hardness ions is nearly full. This reduces the number of times a water softener regenerates, and thus, lessens the overall salt used. The meter settings are based upon water hardness, and the number of persons in the household.

Starting January 1, 2024, the Village of Sussex is offering an incentive to replace timer-based regeneration water softeners, with a new on-demand regeneration water softener. A $200 rebate check will be sent to Village of Sussex residential homeowners upon completion of the replacement and filling out and returning the necessary form. All work must be performed by a licensed plumber or certified water softener installer, and must meet all Village of Sussex and Wisconsin state plumbing  codes. 

If you currently have an on-demand regeneration water softener, an incentive of $75 is offered to have a plumber or water softener installer visit your residence to optimize the regeneration settings to ensure it is operating correctly. This incentive is only available for Village of Sussex residential homeowners who have completed and submitted the necessary form. 

Work performed prior to January 1, 2024, is not eligible for the rebates.

Water Softener Rebate Form

Questions?  Call Jon Baumann, Assistant Director of Public Works, at (262) 246-5200.