LCRA offers larger rebates for home water-saving projects
Getting rid of turf grass in favor of native plants is one way homeowners can save money with WaterSmart rebates from the LCRA. Adobe Stock image for illustrative purposes only
The Lower Colorado River Authority is increasing the amount of WaterSmart rebates available to eligible households for water-saving projects such as upgrading irrigation systems, maintaining landscapes and pools, testing soil, and converting turf grass to landscaping that uses less water.
The LCRA is raising the annual total rebate amount available to residential properties from $600 to $3,000 per property and offering higher maximum rebates for the following projects:
- Mechanical aeration is now $200, up from $100.
- Compost and mulch are now $1,000, up from $600.
- Converting turf grass to native garden beds or drought-tolerant landscapes is now $2,000, up from $600.
WaterSmart rebates are also available for:
- irrigation system evaluations;
- pressure-reducing heads, nozzles, valves, and in-line regulators;
- oil moisture and rain sensors;
- WaterSense smart controllers;
- pool filters and covers;
- and soil testing.
“Up to 70 percent of water used during the summer months is used outdoors, and that number needs to come down,” said LCRA Executive Vice President of Water John Hofmann in a media release announcing the increased rebates. “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 are also 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 percent of the cost, up to $5,000, for irrigation system equipment upgrades, compost and mulch, aeration, pool filters, and turf grass conversion. The LCRA also offers commercial customers rebates for water audits and provides up to $20,000 for water-saving 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.
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.