Sacramento could give you money back on these water saving measures. Here’s how it works

Setting up water-saving systems in your home can get pricey, so Sacramento water providers want to help you.

The city of Sacramento is in a water alert, asking individuals to reduce water use by 20%.

As severe drought conditions continue to bake California, water providers are pushing for water conservation by incentivizing customers with rebates.

Essentially, these rebates are partial refunds for the cost of installations and upgrades. Customers will generally have to provide receipt or invoice to receive the funds. Some rebates are first-come-first-serve based on when you submit your application.

Here are some ways you can get paid for saving water:

Upgrade your outdoor water usage

The city has several outdoor water rebate programs.

• Grass conversion: Replace your grass with drought-tolerant landscaping for up to $3,000.
• Irrigation upgrade: Install drip irrigation or rotary sprinkler nozzles for up to $800.
• Smart controllers: Use EPA WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers for up to $400.
• Rain barrels: Set up rain barrels to store water for later use for up to $150 per barrel.
• Laundry-to-landscape: Install a graywater system — a system that filters water from laundry machines for reuse.
• Repair leaks: Get reimbursed for fixing water leaks.

The general requirements include:

• Be a city of Sacramento water customer
• Be a property owner or tenant that pays bills with the written consent of the owner
• Some programs will require a pre-qualification visit and approval from water conservation staff
• The installation must be finished within a determined timeline
• Water conservation staff will visit to verify installation

Afterwards, you’ll receive a check by 90 days from the day the installation was approved. You can find more information about each of the rebate programs and how to apply on the city’s website.

Upgrade your indoor water usage

The city also has indoor water rebates.

• High-efficiency toilets: Replace older toilets from before 1992 with high-efficiency toilets for up to $125. You must get an inspection before you remove your old toilet by calling 311 or (916) 264-5011. You can replace multiple toilets, but funds might not always be available. You can apply for this rebate online.
• High-efficiency laundry machine: Upgrade your washer for up to $125. You must choose an approved machine from the city’s list and apply for the rebate online.

Other water providers

Other water providers in the Sacramento region offer rebate programs to customers too.

The city of West Sacramento is accepting applications for a $150 rebate for replacing an irrigation controller with a WaterSense labeled one.

The Sacramento County Water Agency, which services areas such as Arden Park-Sierra Oaks and Northgate, has rebate applications for upgrading laundry machines and toilets. It also has programs for replacing grass and sprinkler systems to drip irrigation and drought-tolerant landscaping for up to $2,000 per household.

You can find your water provider and their respective incentive programs with the Regional Water Authority’s online list.