LCRA offering larger rebates for home water conservation projects
WaterSmart rebates now available for up to $3,000 per property
July 1, 2025
LCRA is increasing the annual total rebate amount available for residential properties from $600 to $3,000 per property and offering higher maximum rebates for these projects:
- Mechanical aeration – now $200, up from $100.
- Compost and mulch – now $1,000, up from $600.
- Converting turf grass to native garden beds or drought-tolerant landscapes – now $2,000, up from $600.
WaterSmart rebates also are available for irrigation system evaluations; pressure-reducing heads, nozzles, valves and in-line regulators; soil moisture and rain sensors; WaterSense smart controllers; pool filters and covers; and soil testing.
“Up to 70% of water used during the summer months is used outdoors, and that number needs to come down,” said John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of Water. “We hope these rebates encourage residents to use technology and take other measures to cut back on outdoor water use, which saves both water and money.”
Hofmann encouraged everyone to cut back on water waste and discretionary water use as the multi-year drought continues.
“This drought is serious, and we need to be thoughtful about how we use water,” he said. “Every bit of water we save helps preserve our water supply in lakes Buchanan and Travis.”
WaterSmart rebates also are available for businesses, industries, schools, hospitals, churches and other institutions that implement new water-saving equipment and practices. Commercial, industrial and institutional water users can receive rebates of 50% of the cost, up to $5,000, for irrigation system equipment upgrades, compost and mulch, aeration, pool filters, and turf grass conversion. LCRA also offers commercial customers rebates for water audits and provides up to $20,000 for water-savings technology such as rainwater harvesting, cooling tower recycling or commercial ice machines.
Most residents and businesses that receive water from an LCRA firm water customer and LCRA domestic use customers with contracts to draw water directly from the Highland Lakes are eligible for the rebates. City of Austin residents and businesses are eligible for rebates from Austin Water.
The rebates cover material costs, but not labor or taxes, unless otherwise specified. Visit www.WaterSmart.org/rebates for eligibility requirements and the online application.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations.
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