RAINWATER HARVESTING
RESIDENTIAL / COMMERCIAL REBATE
Austin Water’s Rainwater Harvesting Rebate* can help you buy equipment for capturing rain water.
* For tanks 500 gallons and up, you must get pre-approval before you buy and install any equipment.
WATER SAVINGS
Using a rainwater harvesting system can reduce the amount of paid water you use.
REBATE AMOUNT
Up to $5,000 per site (lifetime limit)
o Non-pressurized (no pump): $0.50 per gallon up to half of the equipment cost
o Pressurized (has a pump): $1.00 per gallon up to half of the equipment cost
o May apply every 12 months for system expansions until you reach $5,000
Includes costs (materials and labor) for tank, pad, screens, filters, first-flush, and selected
piping installation. Gutters, irrigation system, shipping or delivery, and auxiliary water source
requirements are not included
ELIGIBILITY
Applicant:
o Must be a customer of Austin Water or a qualifying water provider
o Must be the property owner or utility account holder
o May not have applied in the past 12 months or reached the $5,000 limit for the site
o Must intend to keep a system under 500 gallons in service for five years and a
system 500 gallons and up in service for ten years
o Agrees to any needed pre- and post-installation inspections by Austin Water
o Willing to let Austin Water reference the project in outreach materials
Rainwater Harvesting System:
o Must be a new system or an expansion of an existing system
o Must meet City subdivision and zoning requirements, including setback and impervious
cover limits (contact Development Assistance Center at 512-978-4000) and any
homeowners association regulations
o Systems with a pump and at least 500 gallons of capacity (including combined capacity
if multiple tanks are connected) must meet auxiliary water requirements, including cross
connection testing, backflow prevention, and permits. (contact Special Services at 512-
972-1060)
o Collected rainwater may not be used for drinking
o Equipment must be new and intended for rainwater harvesting
o Metal tanks must be lined. Transparent tanks/pipe must be painted or enclosed
o Tanks that are 500 gallons or larger must have a first-flush diversion system and a level
base made of gravel, sand, or concrete
CHECKLIST IF ALL TANKS ARE LESS THAN 500 GALLONS EACH
Meet all eligibility requirements above
Install the system
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Revised: 17-May-2017
RAINWATER HARVESTING REBATE
Submit the application within 30 days of installing equipment and include:
An itemized, dated, paid-in-full receipt with vendor contact and payment information
IRS W-9 form (commercial & multi-family accounts only)
Send application and receipts to:
Mail: Austin Water Conservation, PO Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767
Email: watercon@austintexas.gov
Fax: 512-974-3504
Wait 6 to 8 weeks for your Austin Water rebate check
CHECKLIST FOR TANKS THAT ARE 500 GALLONS AND UP
Meet all eligibility requirements on previous page
Submit application for pre-approval before you buy and install any equipment and include:
Site Drawing: show locations of buildings, streets, existing/proposed tank(s), water
meter, and piping from the tank to the landscaped areas. Identify the size of the
catchment area (usually the roof) and the area you will water with rainwater
System Drawing: sketch plans for the system, include piping, first-flush diversion
sy
stem, pump location (if applicable), tank material, dimensions, placement, pad
materials (must be gravel, sand, or concrete) and construction
Operation & Maintenance Guide: describe how the system will function and how you
will m
aintain it
IRS W-9 form (commercial & multi-family accounts only)
Send application materials to:
Mail: Austin Water Conservation, PO Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767
Email: watercon@austintexas.gov
Fax: 512-974-3504
Schedule and complete a pre-installation inspection
Receive a pre-approval letter from Austin Water
Within 90 days after Austin Water issues the pre-approval letter:
Buy materials, get any required permits, and install the system
Submit the rebate calculation worksheet, photos of the installed tanks, and
itemized, dated, paid-in-full receipts with vendor contact and payment information to
Austin Water
Complete a post-installation inspection (if required)
Wait 6 to 8 week
s for your Austin Water rebate check
QUESTIONS?
Rainwater Harvesting Frequently Asked Questions
Examples of Site and System Drawings
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Austin Water Rebate Request ID Number:
RAINWATER HARVESTING REBATE APPLICATION
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Austin Water Account # (leave blank if unavailable)
Or
Qualifying Water Provider Name:
Name of Applicant
(property owner or account holder):
Property Address:
City: State: Zip:
Phone: Email:
Mailing Address:
(if different from above)
City: State: Zip:
REBATE INFORMATION
Type of Property? Single-family Multi-family Commercial
Total New Storage Capacity:
Is a Pump Included?
Yes No Are Multiple Tanks Connected Together? Yes No
(You must meet auxiliary water requirements if your system has a pump and the tank or connected tanks have
a capacity of 500 gallons or greater. Contact Special Services at 512-972-1060 for information.)
Installation Date (systems under 500 gallons only):
REBATE AGREEMENT
I certify that all statements and representations contained in this application are true, correct and
complete. I have read and understand the rebate eligibility on page one. I have completed each of the
required items on the rebate checklist and submitted all required items. I understand that incomplete
applications will not be processed. Austin Water reserves the right to cancel or modify the program
without notice. Rebates are subject to funding availability.
Signature
Date
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CITY OF AUSTIN USE ONLY:
Pre-Inspection Date: Inspected By: Pass/ Fail
Post-Inspection Date: Inspected By: Pass/ Fail
Rebate Amount: Approved By: Approval Date: