Boston Stormwater Grant and Credit Program 2026

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Boston, Massachusetts Water Rebates

Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) runs a Stormwater Grant and Credit Program for customers who reduce runoff from their property. Grants help offset the cost of green stormwater infrastructure like rain gardens, and credits lower your ongoing stormwater charge. Rain gardens planted with native plants qualify. The program expanded in April 2024.

Up to $4,000 grant + up to 40% credit · Verified June 2026

Stormwater Grant and Credit Program

Open the official program site

How to apply

Confirm you are a BWSC stormwater customer in Boston
Review the sample applications to understand requirements
Obtain any local, state, and federal permits the project needs
Submit the DocuSign application for a grant or a credit
Build the approved practice and submit documentation to receive the grant and ongoing credit

What you'll need

BWSC account information
Project plans for the green stormwater practice
Required local, state, and federal permits
Completed DocuSign grant or credit application
Supporting documentation and receipts

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Boston-area natives suited to a rain garden, designs an HOA-friendly layout that supports stormwater management, and assembles the plant list and project documentation for your BWSC application.

Avoid these mistakes

Don't build before you submit the application and secure required permits. BWSC reviews projects against its stormwater goals.
Don't use the wrong form. New and existing practices have separate applications.
Don't skip the planting plan. Rain gardens qualify when they use native plants that support stormwater management.

Boston Water Rebate FAQs

How much does the Boston stormwater program pay?

BWSC offers grants to offset green stormwater infrastructure costs (our records show up to $4,000) plus credits of up to 40% off your stormwater charge, which is up to 30% for an approved practice plus 5% for education (Boston Water and Sewer Commission, verified June 2026).

Do rain gardens qualify?

Yes. Rain gardens are eligible green stormwater infrastructure, and rain gardens planted with native plants qualify for both the grant and the stormwater credit.

Who is eligible?

BWSC stormwater customers in the City of Boston. The credit reduces your ongoing stormwater charge, and the grant helps offset project costs.

Do I need permits before I build?

Yes. You must obtain all local, state, and federal permits required for the activity, and there are separate applications for new and existing practices.

Free step-by-step help with every rebate above

Every program above comes with a free guided checklist in the Pollinator Patch app: the steps in order, warnings before the mistakes that disqualify applications, and a photo locker that keeps your before and after photos and receipts together. A few high-value programs also offer an optional ready-to-file application packet for a one-time $29.99.