How to Get the Irrigation Zone Conversion or Removal Rebate
SMTX Utilities (City of San Marcos) · Central Texas, TX
What you get
SMTX Utilities pays 50% of project cost up to $100 per zone for converting a spray zone to drip irrigation or point-source drip emitters, up to $200 per zone for capping and removing an entire zone, and up to $500 for capping and removing an entire irrigation system including the controller. Removed components must be saved and turned over to SMTXU at the follow-up inspection, and the rebate is issued as a credit on the utility bill (SMTX Utilities Irrigation Zone Conversion or Removal Rebate flyer dated May 2025, last verified August 2026).
- Residential: 50% of cost: up to $100 per zone converted to drip, $200 per zone removed, $500 for removing the entire system
Are you eligible?
- Be a SMTX Utilities (City of San Marcos) customer
- Property located in: San Marcos
- Pre-approval is required to qualify: contact the SMTXU Conservation Department to schedule an evaluation before starting work
- Existing residential or commercial SMTXU water utility customer with an account in good standing
- Work performed by a Texas Licensed Irrigator or by the property owner
- Irrigation system must have a working rain shutoff device and backflow prevention device, current on backflow test submittals
- Submit the completed application with dated, itemized receipts within 90 days after project completion; receipts must show which zone numbers were converted or removed
- Removed components must be retained and turned over to SMTXU at inspection
Before you start
Do not remove turf or begin work before you have written approval. This program requires pre-approval. Starting early can disqualify the project even if everything else is correct.
A natural companion to turf conversion: removing or downsizing irrigation zones as lawn areas become native beds. Rebates are first come, first served and subject to availability of funds.
Full San Marcos guide
San Marcos has a complete rebate guide with every local program, qualifying plants, and a step-by-step application walkthrough.
San Marcos water rebates: full guideThe application checklist
How to apply for the Irrigation Zone Conversion or Removal Rebate
These are the steps this application actually takes.
- 1
Schedule the evaluation
Pre-approval is required. Before any work, contact the SMTXU Conservation Department at 512-393-8310 or jdelacruz3@sanmarcostx.gov to schedule an evaluation of your existing irrigation system and talk
- 2
Convert or remove the zones
Hire a Texas Licensed Irrigator or do the work yourself. Converting a zone to drip: the entire zone must be converted, with pressure regulation and filtration at the zone valve. Removing a zone: remov
- 3
Submit within 90 days
No more than 90 days after the project is complete, fill in the fields below, export your packet, and email the completed application with dated, itemized receipts to jdelacruz3@sanmarcostx.gov. Recei
- 4
Follow-up inspection and bill credit
Conservation staff schedule a follow-up inspection to verify the work and collect the removed parts. Have every removed component ready to hand over. The rebate is then issued as a credit on your util
The call below also unlocks the ready-to-file packet for this program in the app.
Get help applying
Want a hand with the application?
A 30-minute call with Stephen, the founder. He reads the Irrigation Zone Conversion or Removal Rebate rules with you, tells you what to photograph and file first, and answers anything this page does not cover.
Confirm your project ZIP first. If this program does not serve your address, do not buy; check your city or utility on the rebates page instead.
One-time $29.99. Guidance, not filing: you submit to the program yourself. Not legal or financial advice. Rebate amounts and approval are decided by the program.
Every program listed cites its official source, and each program page shows the date we last verified it against that source. Program details change throughout the year, so always confirm requirements, amounts, and eligibility directly with the program before starting work. Pollinator Patch is not affiliated with any rebate program and does not guarantee approval.
See a problem with a program? Report it
Programs change throughout the year. If something here is out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll check it against the provider.