Residential Rebates

LCRA’s WaterSmart Rebates program can help offset the cost of upgrading irrigation systems, maintaining landscapes and pools, testing your soil, and converting turf to help you save water and money.
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APPLY FOR A REBATE

Eligibility

You qualify for an irrigation system evaluation and WaterSmart rebates if:

• You are an LCRA domestic use customer.

OR

• You are a resident who receives water from one of these LCRA water customers. City of Austin customers are eligible for rebates from Austin Water.

Available rebates

LCRA provides rebates of 50% of the total cost, up to $600 per residential property, for irrigation evaluations, retrofitting or replacing irrigation system equipment, new pool filters and covers, aeration, compost and mulch, soil testing, and turf conversion.

Irrigation system evaluations

An irrigation system evaluation will properly assess your sprinkler system’s needs, make you aware of any necessary repairs, and could help lower your water use by up to 30%.
Options for a free evaluation
1

Contact your water provider to schedule an irrigation evaluation:

2

Don’t see your water provider?

  • Step 1.
    Hire a licensed irrigator.
  • Step 2.
    Have the irrigator complete this checklist during their assessment, and upload the checklist and receipt when filling out the application.
  • Step 3.
    After verifying eligibility, we will mail you a check up to $100 for the cost of the inspection.
3

If you receive water directly from LCRA:

Contact LCRA staff at [email protected] to schedule a free irrigation evaluation.

Irrigation equipment rebates

Rebate Type Rebate Amount
Pressure-reducing heads and nozzles 50% of the cost of devices up to $5 per head or nozzle
Pressure-reducing valves and in-line regulators 50% of the cost of devices up to $100
Soil moisture sensors 50% of the cost of devices up to $250
Rain sensors 50% of the cost of devices up to $20
WaterSense smart controllers 50% of the cost of devices up to $100
Hose-end timers 50% of the cost of devices up to $40
How to apply for irrigation equipment rebates
  • Step 1.
    Purchase and install equipment. Keep your receipt.
  • Step 2.
    Take photo of installed equipment.
  • Step 3.
    Gather other needed information:
    • Your average monthly water usage (in gallons). (This can be found on your water bill.)
    • Information on rebate items:
      • Number of soil moisture sensors installed
      • Number of rain sensors installed
      • Type of WaterSense smart controller installed and the type and number of stations it controls
      • Number of pressure-regulating heads, in-line pressure regulators, nozzles or valves installed and operating pressure before
      • Brand and number of hose-end timers installed
  • Step 4.
    Complete online application within 90 days of installation.

Landscape rebates

Rebate Type Rebate Amount
Turf conversion (requires pre-approval) $0.50 per square foot up to $600 for converting a minimum of 200 square feet of healthy turf grass to native garden beds or drought-tolerant landscapes. Replacement landscapes may not include any turf grass or automatic irrigation.
Compost and mulch 50% of cost up to $600 per household. No Dillo Dirt™, rock or rubber.
Mechanical aeration 50% of equipment rental or contractor costs up to $100
Soil test Up to $50 for a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension test, or 50% of the cost up to $125 for a Texas Plant and Soil Lab test.
How to apply for rebates for converting grass turf to native garden beds or drought-tolerant landscapes
  • Step 1.
    Contact LCRA at [email protected] to schedule a pre-approval inspection to review your design and irrigation plans, the size of the area, and your timeline.
  • Step 2.
    LCRA staff will let you know if the project qualifies for the rebate.
  • Step 3.
    Replace turf. Keep your receipt(s).
  • Step 4.
    Take photo of completed work.
  • Step 5:
    Gather other needed information:

     

    • Your average monthly water usage (in gallons). (This can be found on your water bill.)
    • Area of landscape converted to native beds or drought-tolerant landscapes
  • Step 6.
    Complete online application within 90 days of installation.
How to apply for rebates for compost and mulch, mechanical aeration and soil testing
  • Step 1.
    Aerate landscape, purchase and install compost and mulch, or purchase and perform soil test. Keep your receipt(s).
  • Step 2.
    Take photo of completed work.
  • Step 3.
    Gather other needed information:
    • Your average monthly water usage (in gallons). (This can be found on your water bill.)
    • Information on rebate items:
      • Number of cubic yards of compost or mulch and percent of landscape and size of area treated with compost or mulch
      • Percent of landscape aerated
      • Type of soil test performed
  • Step 4:
    Complete online application within 90 days of installation.

Pool rebates

Rebate Type Rebate Amount
Pool filters Up to $250 per high-efficiency cartridge filter
Pool covers 50% of the purchase price up to $50 per manual or solar ring, and up to $200 for permanent mechanical cover
How to apply for pool rebates
  • Step 1.
    Purchase and install pool filter or cover. Keep your receipt(s).
  • Step 2.
    Take photo of installed equipment.
  • Step 3.
    Gather other needed information:

     

    • Your average monthly water usage (in gallons). (This can be found on your water bill.)
    • Information on rebate items:
      • Pool filter brand and model
      • Pool size in square feet
  • Step 4:
    Complete online application within 90 days of installation.

WaterSmart Rebates rules

  • Applicant must have a water account with LCRA or one of LCRA’s firm water customers.
  • Applicant must provide a copy of itemized receipts supporting this application.
  • Rebates are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. LCRA does not guarantee sufficient program funding or that all applicants will receive a rebate.
  • Applicant must submit this application within 90 calendar days of completing the work.
  • Rebates cover equipment costs, not labor or tax, unless otherwise specified.
  • Work on the irrigation system has to be done by the system’s owner or an irrigator licensed with the State of Texas.
  • LCRA and its firm water customers are in no way responsible for the installation or operation of the irrigation equipment.
  • All rebates are for non-potable uses and should not connect to local or potable water systems.
  • LCRA and its firm water customers have the right, but not the obligation, to inspect the equipment installed to verify installations meet manufacturer requirements.
  • LCRA and its firm customers have not made and do not make any representations, warranties or promises, either expressed or implied, with the respect to any irrigation equipment, including but not limited to any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, or quality, reliability, durability, water savings or compatibility with your existing irrigation system.
  • LCRA can terminate the WaterSmart Rebates program at any time. This rebate program is active as of 7/26/2024.

Contact

Jack Jones, water conservation coordinator
[email protected]​​​​​​​​​​