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Arizona Water Rebates

Tucson, Arizona Water Rebates

Tucson Water offers a rebate for residential customers who install rainwater harvesting systems — cisterns and tanks that collect and store roof runoff for landscape irrigation. The rebate is $0.25 per gallon of storage capacity for systems between 50 and 799 gallons, and $1.00 per gallon for systems of 800 gallons or more, up to a maximum of $2,000 per property. You must attend a class and submit an application before purchasing or installing the system.

Common steps for every program in this guide

  1. Attend a required Tucson Water rainwater harvesting class. Complete a qualifying class through Tucson Water or the Watershed Management Group before applying. Classes cover system sizing, design, first-flush diverters, and code requirements. Check watershedmg.org/rebate-classes for the current schedule.
  2. Submit your online application and project plan to Tucson Water. After completing the class, submit the online rebate application and a project plan at the Tucson Water rebate page. Do not purchase equipment or begin installation until Tucson Water reviews your application. Your property must have active Tucson Water service.
  3. Purchase and install the rainwater harvesting system. After receiving application approval, purchase and install the cistern or tank as described in your approved project plan. Systems must be 50 gallons or larger. First-flush diverters are recommended and may be required by local code for in-ground tanks.
  4. Submit completion documentation and receive your rebate. After installation, submit proof of purchase (receipts) and photographs of the completed system to Tucson Water. The rebate is calculated at $0.25/gallon for 50–799 gallon systems or $1.00/gallon for 800+ gallon systems, with a $2,000 maximum.

Full application guide for Tucson: required documents and how to avoid rejection

Rebates available

Tucson Water Rebate FAQs

Does the Tucson rebate cover rain barrels or only large cisterns?
The rebate covers any system 50 gallons or larger. Smaller rain barrels under 50 gallons do not qualify. Above-ground polyethylene tanks, corrugated metal cisterns, and in-ground ferro-cement tanks all qualify as long as they are used for landscape irrigation.
Do I need a permit for my rainwater harvesting tank in Tucson?
Permit requirements depend on tank size and placement. Tucson Water and City code generally require a permit for in-ground tanks and for above-ground tanks above certain heights. The class covers local permit requirements. Check with Tucson Development Services before installing.
Can I get the rebate for a system I already installed?
No. The rebate is not retroactive. Your property must have active Tucson Water service before you purchase the system, and you must submit an application and receive approval before installation.
Does Tucson offer a separate turf removal or xeriscape rebate?
Tucson Water focuses its residential rebate program on rainwater harvesting. For turf-to-xeriscape conversion rebates in southern Arizona, the closest equivalent is the Pima County Sustainable Landscape Program. Albuquerque (ABCWUA) is one of the larger regional xeriscape rebate programs in the Southwest.

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Programs change throughout the year. If something here is out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll check it against the provider.

We compile these programs from utility and city pages, and not every amount here has been independently confirmed. Program details also change throughout the year. Always verify requirements, amounts, and eligibility directly with your water utility before starting work. Pollinator Patch is not affiliated with any rebate program and does not guarantee approval.