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.
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.
