City of San Luis Obispo Launches New Rebate Program for Water Conservation

City of San Luis Obispo water customers can now receive a rebate for upgrading to more water-efficient devices. The City of San Luis Obispo Water Conservation Rebate Program is designed to reduce water use City-wide by including rebates for all account types. The new incentive program is a part of the City's efforts to support the entire community's efforts to conserve water by equitably offering rebates across single-family residential, multi-family residential, and commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) account holders, ensuring the program does not favor one customer class.

The City of SLO Utilities Department used results from the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) water conservation tracking tool, which modeled the effectiveness of a variety of water-conservation rebates in San Luis Obispo, with input from a recent survey of local businesses to determine the devices offered.

"As the statewide drought continues, it is important that we make the most of the available funding for our water conservation program to support our entire community as we all work together to save water," said Water Resources Program Manager, Nick Teague. "Our hope is that the City's water conservation rebate program will provide equitable water conservation opportunities that result in measurable water savings."

The City of San Luis Obispo Water Conservation Rebate Program offers rebates for the following eligible items purchased on or after January 1, 2023. Funding has been allocated for Fiscal Years 2022 - 2023, and rebates will be offered until funding is exhausted.

High-Efficiency Toilets

Toilets are often the main source of water used in a home or business. By replacing old, inefficient toilets with WaterSense-labeled models, the average family is estimated to reduce water used for toilets by 20-60%. All City of San Luis Obispo water customers are eligible for up to four $100 rebates for replacing older, less-water-efficient toilets with 1.28 gallons per flush (GPF) WaterSense-certified toilets. Please note, toilets using 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF) will not qualify for a rebate.

Large Landscape Smart Irrigation Controllers

Multi-Family Residential properties can upgrade outdoor irrigation systems with WaterSense-certified weather-based or soil-moisture-sensing smart irrigation controllers. Rebates will be granted at $20 per station, up to $700, and controllers must have a minimum of 24 stations. There is a limit of 1 large landscape smart irrigation controller rebate per customer address.

Single-Family Residential water customers can also still receive discounts on 8-zone and 16-zone Rachio Smart Irrigation Controllers through the City's Partnership with Rachio. These weather-based devices automatically adjust irrigation schedules based on current local weather conditions. Click here to check your eligibility.

High-Efficiency Urinals

Did you know that a water-efficient urinal only uses about 9% of the water per flush than a high-efficiency toilet? Commercial, Industrial, or Institutional (CII) properties can flush with higher efficiency by replacing outdated urinals. CII properties that replace a less water-efficient urinal with a 0.125 gallon per flush (GPF) or less WaterSense certified model can receive a $100 rebate for up to four urinals.

Water-Efficient Restaurant Dipper Wells

A dipper well is a device often used in the food service industry to rinse utensils. Traditional dipper wells operate using a continuous flow of water whereas newer, water-efficient devices have automatic shutoffs and other features to dramatically reduce their water use. Commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) customers are eligible to receive up to four $150 rebates for upgrading to water-efficient dipper wells.

For details on the qualifications and requirements for each rebate device, please refer to the table below.

If a device you are interested in does not meet the above requirements, please email the make and model of the device to [email protected]. Staff will review your request and advise if a rebate would be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Ready to get started?

1. Review the above table to confirm the device(s) you are interested in are eligible for a rebate.
2. Photograph the devices you plan to replace prior to removal.
3. Purchase approved rebate devices.
4. Photograph replacement devices after installation.
5. Fill out the online application here.
6. City staff will review your application and notify you via email if your application has been approved.
7. Once your application has been approved, a check will be mailed to the mailing address on the application. Please allow 30 days after your application has been approved to receive the rebate check.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can apply for a rebate? City of San Luis Obispo water customers are eligible for devices based on customer type (single-family residential, multi-family residential, or commercial/industrial/institutional). If you are unsure of your customer class type, please call the City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department at (805) 781-7215. Please verify eligibility for each device in the above table.
2. How do I find out if my device is WaterSense certified? Visit https://lookforwatersense.epa.gov/products/ for a full list of WaterSense certified products.
3. I replaced my toilet with an approved model during 2022, can I still apply for a rebate? No, the City's Water Conservation Rebate Program is only available for devices purchased on or after January 1, 2023.
4. The device I purchased does not fall under the requirements listed in the table, can I still get a rebate? If a device you are interested in does not meet the above requirements, please email the make and model of the device to [email protected]. Staff will review your request and advise if a rebate would be approved on a case-by-case basis.
5. I own an apartment and would like to replace all of the toilets in the building, can I get a rebate for more than 4 toilets? Each applicant is limited to the maximum quantity allowed listed. During the application period, you can indicate if you would like to be contacted if additional funding is made available. If funds are available later in the Fiscal Year, staff will contact those who have indicated that they would like to be notified.
6. I rent my home, can I still get a rebate? Yes, renters may be eligible to participate if the individual or business receiving the rebate is the active account holder for water service through the City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department.
7. Can I still get a rebate if water service is under my tenant's name?Yes, a property owner is eligible to participate even if water service to the property is under a tenant's name. If this is the case, City of San Luis Obispo staff will verify that the applicant is the current property owner.

Other Complimentary Water Conservation Items!

Not interested in any of the devices eligible for rebates? Check out the complimentary water-conservation items the City of SLO provides on our Water Conservation homepage!

For questions and assistance with the rebate program, please contact the City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department by calling (805) 781-7215.

Media Contact: Water Resources Program Manager, Nick Teague, 805.781.7217, [email protected]

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