Washington Water Rebates
Seattle, Washington Water Rebates
RainWise is a Seattle Public Utilities and King County rebate that pays residents to install rain gardens and cisterns that capture rooftop runoff. It pays up to $13.12 per square foot of rooftop runoff controlled, which often covers most of the project cost. Two rules shape who can take part. Your property has to sit in an eligible combined sewer overflow basin, and the work has to be done by a RainWise-trained contractor.
Up to $13.12 / sq ft · Verified July 2026
RainWise Rain Garden & Cistern Rebate
Open the official program site (opens in new tab)How to apply
- Use the RainWise eligibility checker to confirm your property is in a qualifying CSO basin
- Find a RainWise-trained contractor with the program locator
- Have the contractor design the rain garden or cistern to control your rooftop runoff
- Complete the installation through the trained contractor
- Maintain the project for five years to keep the rebate in good standing
What you'll need
- Proof the property is in an eligible CSO basin
- RainWise-trained contractor agreement
- Project design controlling rooftop runoff
- Completed installation records
Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Seattle-appropriate native plants for the rain garden, designs an HOA-friendly layout that handles your rooftop runoff, and assembles a plant list you can share with your RainWise-trained contractor.
Avoid these mistakes
- Don't skip the eligibility check. The rebate only applies inside qualifying combined sewer overflow basins.
- Don't hire a contractor who is not RainWise-trained. The program only pays for work done by trained contractors.
- Don't neglect the five-year maintenance. The rebate requires you to keep the project working for five years.
Seattle Water Rebate FAQs
How much does Seattle RainWise pay?
How do I know if I am eligible?
Can I use any contractor?
Do I have to maintain the rain garden?
Rebate Concierge
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.
Get started
Plan a native yard with Pollinator Patch.
Pick the right native plants for your region, design an HOA-friendly layout, and generate documentation that supports your rebate application.
