Water conservation rebate program

Smart watering system
Funds remaining:

$50,000

This dollar amount will be updated weekly.

Man Adjusting a sprinkler
The St. Johns River Water Management District rolled out a new rebate program in
October 2024 to encourage water conservation projects for non-agricultural use.

Through this program, local governments and small utilities can apply for cost-share rebates on the certain eligible outdoor water-saving items/services, specifically:

  • Florida Water StarSM certification for new residential construction
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense®-labelled smart irrigation controllers
  • Irrigation conversions (high-volume spray to a high-efficiency rotary nozzle or micro-irrigation in landscape beds)
  • Irrigation evaluations and timer modification
  • Landscape soil amendments (for new residential construction)

The cost-share rebate will be up to 50% of actual costs with a not-to-exceed designated maximum amount per item/service. (Note: Labor, installation and design costs from a third party or contractor are included as eligible expenses.) Applicants cannot receive more than $10,000 in rebates per year. Approved programs will be rebated on a “first-come, first-served” basis until program funds are depleted.

After downloading a copy of the Water Conservation Cost-Share Rebate Handbook, applicants should follow the steps below for their project to be considered:

Step 1: Qualification of applicants and projects

Step 2: Project approval / issuance of water conservation rebate cost-share agreement

  • Once the Qualification Application has been approved, the District will issue a water conservation rebate cost-share agreement to the applicant.
  • When the agreement is executed, the applicant may proceed with their project.

Step 3: Reimbursement though the rebate program

New Home with manicured lawn
smart watering system

FY 2024–25 key dates

  • October 1, 2024 – Start of fiscal year (FY) 2024–25 program; first day to submit Qualification Application; if qualified, eligible expenses may be incurred after this day.
  • September 30, 2025 – Last day of FY 2024–25 program; last day eligible expenses may be incurred; last day to submit a Request for Reimbursement.

Applicants may contact Kraig McLane at kmclane@sjrwmd.com or Gretchen Smith at gcsmith@sjrwmd.com with questions.