Water Conservation Rebate Program

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

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 help the entire community be more efficient with water use 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 San Luis Obispo Water Conservation Rebate Program offers rebates for 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.

For details on the qualifications and requirements for each rebate device, please refer to the table at the bottom of this page.

High-Efficiency Toilets

Photo of Toilet 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, the toilet replaced must be of greater gallons per flush (GPF) than 1.28 GPF or will not qualify for a rebate.

Small Landscape Smart Irrigation Controllers

Large Landscape Smart Irrigation Controllers

Photo of Landscape Controller Multi-Family Residential and Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional (CII) properties can upgrade outdoor irrigation systems with WaterSense-certified weather-based or soil-moisture-sensing smart irrigation controllers. Rebates will be granted for 25% of the cost of the controller, up to $1,000, and controllers must have a minimum of 24 stations. There is a limit of 1 large landscape smart irrigation controller rebate per customer address.

High-Efficiency Urinals

Photo of Urinal 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 Commercial, Industrial, or Institutional (CII) properties can flush with higher efficiency by replacing outdated urinals.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 urinal can receive a $100 rebate for up to four urinals.

Water-Efficient Restaurant Dipper Wells

Photo of Dipper Well 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 $300 rebates for upgrading to water-efficient dipper wells.

Why should I invest in a water-efficient dipper well?
Traditional dipper wells utilize a large amount of water due to the use of a perpetual flow of water. Updating to a water-efficient dipper is estimated to save up to 250,000 gallons of water a year. This would save your business over $3,000 on water each year and pay for the device within just 2 months.
Why should I upgrade to a smart irrigation controller?
The avg irrigation “zone” uses 15 GPM. Studies show using a smart irrigation controller, instead of a traditional controller, can save 30% more water! That means a landscape with 24 zones running for just 10 minutes 3 times a week, could save over $2,000 on water bills each year by installing a smart controller.

Ready to get started?

Review the below table to confirm the device(s) you are interested in are eligible for a rebate.
Prior to removal: Photograph the devices you plan to replace prior to removal, including an up-close photo of the make and model of the device. For toilets, the make and model are typically printed on the bowl between the bolts that attach the toilet seat or printed inside the toilet tank lid or tank itself.
Purchase approved rebate devices.
After installation: Photograph replacement devices after installation, including an up-close photo of the make and model of the device. For toilets, the make and model are typically printed on the bowl between the bolts that attach the toilet seat or printed inside the toilet tank lid or tank itself.
Fill out the online application here.
City staff will review your application and notify you via email if your application has been approved.
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.

Graphic showing the steps to receive a water rebate for select water conservation items.

DEVICE	QUALIFYING CUSTOMER TYPES	REQUIREMENTS	MAXIMUM REBATE AMOUNT	MAXIMUM QUANTITY ALLOWED
High-Efficiency Toilets	Single-Family Residential, Multi-Family Residential, and Commercial, Industrial, or Institutional (CII)	WaterSense-certified 1.28 gallon per flush (GPF) or less toilets.	$100	4
Large Landscape Smart Irrigation Controllers	Multi-Family Residential and Commercial, Industrial, or Institutional (CII)	WaterSense-certified weather-based irrigation controller OR WaterSense-certified soil moisture-based irrigation controllers with a minimum of 24 stations.	25% of the cost of the controller. Maximum rebate amount of $1,000.	1
High-Efficiency Urinals	Commercial, Industrial, or Institutional (CII)	WaterSense certified 0.125 gallon per flush (GPF) or less urinals.	$100	4
Water-Efficient Restaurant Dipper Wells	Commercial, Industrial, or Institutional (CII)	ConserveWell™. For alternate brands, please send the make and model to UT_Services@slocity.org for review.	$300	4

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

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

FAQ Box

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 provided table.
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.
I don’t have photos of the make/model of the device I replaced. Can I still apply for a rebate?

Unfortunately, no. The photos required are to confirm that the replacement is in fact more water-efficient and will lead to water savings. Without photos of the device that is replaced, that determination cannot be made.
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 UT_Services@slocity.org. Staff will review your request and advise if a rebate would be approved on a case-by-case basis.
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.
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.
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.
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 at the end of the Fiscal Year, staff will contact those who have indicated that they would like to be notified.

More FAQs

Complimentary Water Conservation Items

City of San Luis Obispo, CA

FIND A SERVICE

I WANT TO...

Water Conservation Rebate Program

Ready to get started?

FAQ Box