You can get up to $4,800 to save water in Sacramento County. Here’s how to apply

Jacqueline Pinedo

The weather is warming up in the Sacramento area, which means thirstier plants and higher utility bills.

Sacramento County and the city of Sacramento both offer rebates to residents who take water-saving measures such as replacing their lawns with drought-resistant landscaping or upgrading their irrigation systems.

City water rebates can add up to $4,850, while county rebates can total $2,275.

Here’s a list of local water rebate programs and how much you can get.

Residents who receive water services from the city of Sacramento can qualify for rebates of up to $4,850.
Residents who receive water services from the city of Sacramento can qualify for rebates of up to $4,850.

What are Sacramento water rebates? How much can you get?

All residents who receive water services from the city of Sacramento can qualify for rebates for saving water. You can apply for most rebates via the city’s website.

Here are the outdoor water rebates you can apply for through the city website:

  • Grass conversion: Residents who convert grass lawns to drought-tolerant landscaping such as plants can receive up to $3,000 in rebates. The city offers $1.50 per square foot for the front, side and back yard of a home.

  • Irrigation upgrade: You can get up to $800 for upgrading your irrigation system. Rebates vary for single-family homes, duplexes and complexes.

  • Rain barrels: You can receive up to $150 for installing a rain barrel — 75 cents for each gallon of storage capacity.

  • Laundry-to-landscape system: You can get up to $100 for materials to install a laundry-to-landscape system that uses water from your washer to irrigate your outdoor plants.

Below are the indoor water rebates and deals you can access online:

  • Toilet upgrade: Residents who trade older toilets for newer high-efficiency models can receive up to $125.

  • Washing machine upgrade: You can get up to $125 for swapping your washing machine for a new high-efficiency washer.

  • New faucets and fixtures: You can purchase a discount faucet or fixture through the online Sacramento Municipal Utility District Energy Store. Some shower heads are as low as $6 on the website.

  • Fix leaks: You can get $250 to $500 in rebates for fixing a leaky faucet or hose. The dollar amount is determined by the amount of water that’s being leaked per hour. You can also get up to $150 per hour if you hire a licensed contractor.

How to apply for Sacramento County water rebates

Sacramento County offers rebates for homeowners and commercial businesses as it relates to grass conversions.

Applications can be found on the county website and must be mailed in.

Homeowners who replace their grass or turf with native and drought-tolerant landscaping. can receive up to $2,000 in rebates. You get $1 per square foot.

Commercial and industrial customers who convert their lawns to native and drought-tolerant landscaping can receive up to $2,500, or, $1.50 per square foot.

The county is providing up to $275 in rebates for customers who replace their toilets and washers with high-efficiency units. To qualify, your new washing machine must use less than 3.7 gallons of water per washing cycle.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.

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