Rebate Listings and Updates

On July 1, 2010, Austin Water Conservation will launch a Landscape Conversion Incentive program to encourage homeowners to conserve water by converting turf areas to native beds and/or permeable hardscapes. Applications will be accepted twice a year; December through February for spring installations and June through August for fall installations. The amount rebated will be based on whether the area is automatically irrigated ($20 per 100 sq. feet converted) or whether there is no automatic irrigation system ($30 per 100 sq. feet converted). To qualify for a rebate, a minimum of 500 square feet of turf must be converted. Detailed program requirements and processes can be seen on the application which will be posted on July 1st, 2010.

The Toilet Rebate Program is ending on June 30, 2010. However the Free Toilet Program is still available for Single Family Residences and Multi-Family/Commercial Facilities. The Free Toilet program provides dual-flush high efficiency-toilets for eligible customers. Please click the Free Toilet Program to read about the Free Toilet program and download applications.

Rebates for high efficiency clothes washers are still available. However, starting July 1, 2010, the water portion of the Single-Family Residential rebate will be $50.00. Your rebate amount may include an additional rebate of $50.00 offered by Texas Gas Service or Austin Energy. Both rebates are processed through one application submitted to Austin Water. Please see the WashWise Program Guidelines for eligibility requirements and to download an application.

Beginning July 1, 2010 the existing Austin Water Utility rainwater harvesting and rain barrel rebate programs will be combined into one capacity-based incentive program. Current guidelines will apply to customers who purchase eligible rainwater harvesting equipment on or before June 30, 2010. Additional system and customer eligibility requirements will be detailed on the new application available on the website beginning July 1, 2010.

Rebate amounts will be calculated at $0.50 per gallon for non-pressurized systems and $1.00 per gallon for pressurized systems. The maximum rebate amount will be increased to $5000, not to exceed 50 percent of the project cost. Systems of more than 500 gallons will require approval prior to system installation. Participation will be limited to once every 12 months. Additionally, the minimum capacity of 75 gallons that is currently required for participation will be lifted, making all sizes of rain barrels eligible.

Austin Water announces modifications to the Irrigation Upgrade Rebate Program which will go into effect on July 1, 2010. Changes to this program focus on station and system-wide improvements such as station conversions from spray heads to drip or changing an entire station to pressure compensating heads. As always, an irrigation audit must be performed by Austin Water Conservation staff prior to beginning any work to be rebated. Customers who complete the recommended work prior to July 1st will be eligible for rebates under the current guidelines. Eligible irrigation modifications completed on July 1st or afterwards, will be rebated under the new program guidelines. Rebate amounts and program eligibility and requirements can be seen in their entirety on the new application which will be available on the website beginning July 1, 2010.