The Water Authority's residential water conservation programs have been highly effective in achieving water conservation savings.  As a result, the residential water conservation programs were expanded to serve other markets, such as new residential construction and residential landscape.  The programs listed below are designed to achieve water savings in the single-family and multifamily residential sectors. Please click on any of the links below for more information.

High-Efficency Washer Voucher Program
Multifamily Toilet Voucher Program
Single-Family Landscape Surveys
Single-Family Smart Controllers (Pilot Program)
Single-Family and Multifamily Artificial Turf
Multifamily Large Landscape Audits
Multifamily Smart Landscape Grants
Multifamily Smart Controllers
Water Savings Performance Program
California-Friendly Home Incentives (New Construction)
Agricultural Water Management Program

High-Effiency Washer Voucher Program

This program provides a financial incentive to encourage customers to choose a high-efficiency clothes washer (HEW) instead of a standard top-loading model. HEWs use 65% less water, 55% less energy, and less detergent; clean better; and are gentler on clothes than standard clothes washers. Drying time can be cut in half.  This program generates both water and energy savings. HEWs must be from the list of Water Authority-approved models and have a water efficiency factor of 6.0 or less. The program offers a voucher worth a discount up to $175 at the time of purchase to eligible customers. After-purchase rebates are not available. Vouchers are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The Water Authority operates the program on behalf of its participating member agencies and San Diego Gas and Electric. For program information and eligibility requirements, please call (800) 986-4538.

Click here for detailed information.

Water Authority Contact: Jeff Stephenson
Phone Number: (858) 522-6750
Email: jstephenson@sdcwa.org

Multifamily Toilet Voucher Program

Through this program, apartment complexes town homes, condominiums, duplexes, triplexes, and mobile homes are offered a voucher for up to $200 off the price of a high-efficiency toilet (HET). HETs use less than 1.3 gallons of water per flush. Vouchers may only be applied to the cost of the toilet tank, bowl, and sales tax. The voucher is for a point-of-purchase discount only; after-purchase rebates are not available. HETs must be from the list of Water Authority-approved models and replace fixtures using at least 3.5 gallons per flush. Vouchers are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The Water Authority operates the program on behalf of its participating member agencies. For program information and eligibility requirements, please call (800) 986-4538.

Click here for detailed information.

Water Authority Contact: Jeff Stephenson
Phone Number: (858) 522-6750
Email: jstephenson@sdcwa.org

Single-Family Landscape Surveys

Residential surveys are available to single family customers looking for help in reducing outdoor water use. Surveys are designed to identify potential leaks, recommend water conserving devices, assess irrigation efficiency, and determine the proper landscape watering schedule. To request a survey please call (800) 986-4538 unless you are a customer of any of the agencies listed below. Customers of the agencies listed below should contact the number provided for their agency.

City of San Diego (619) 570-1999
City of Escondido (760) 839-4074
Helix Water District (619) 466-0585
Otay Water District (619) 670-2291
Rincon del Diablo MWD (760) 745-5522
Santa Fe Irrigation District (858) 756-2237 ext. 29
Vallecitos Water District (760) 744-0460

Water Authority Contact: Mayda Portillo
Phone Number: (858) 522-6762
Email: mportillo@sdcwa.org

Single-Family Smart Controller Rebate (Pilot Program)

A ‘Smart’ or Weather-based Irrigation Controller can be an effective technology for reducing water usage outdoors. Unlike a standard automatic timer that turns on the sprinklers at set intervals, a ‘Smart’ Controller uses weather data and site information such as plant type and sprinkler system output to adjust watering times and frequency. Because proper installation and initial set-up of these controllers generally requires an in-depth knowledge of soils, precipitation rates, slope measurements and related factors, professional installation is required for this program.

Click here for detailed information.

Water Authority Contact: Mayda Portillo
Phone Number: (858) 522-6762
Email: mportillo@sdcwa.org

Artificial Turf

Select agencies are offering incentives to single-family homeowners for the replacement of existing natural grass with artificial turf. The agencies listed below are currently offering incentives for single-family residents. For more information please contact your water agency. Click here for additional details and a list of participating agencies.

Multifamily Artificial Turf

Artificial Turf Incentives are available for mobile home parks, public and private schools, animal care facilities, multifamily units and commercial sites. A 50¢ per square foot incentive is available for sites looking to replace natural grass with artificial grass. Funding for the 50¢ incentive is limited and is provided on a first come, first served basis. A 30¢ incentive is provided year-round and is unlimited. Click here for additional details.

Water Authority Contact: Mayda Portillo
Phone Number: (858) 522-6762
Email: mportillo@sdcwa.org

Multifamily Large Landscape Audits

Landscape audits are available to over watered commercial, multi-family, or public sites in excess of 1 acre. The audit is designed to assess the efficiency of the irrigation system, identify potential leaks, and determine the proper watering schedule for the landscape based on existing plant material.

Audits are available to pre-approved customers. To request approval contact your local water district. To schedule an audit contact (800) 986-4538 unless you are a customer of any of the agencies listed below. Customers of the agencies listed below should contact the number provided for their agency.

City of San Diego (619) 570-1999
Helix Water District (619) 466-0585
Vallecitos Water District (760) 744-0460

Water Authority Contact: Mayda Portillo
Phone Number: (858) 522-6762
Email: mportillo@sdcwa.org

Multifamily Smart Landscape Grants
Grants for repairs/upgrades
Public, commercial and multifamily properties may qualify for grants of up to $2,500 per irrigated acre to replace or upgrade hardware and equipment that will stop leaks, reduce water use, or otherwise improve irrigation efficiency. Grants are limited to $5,000 total for commercial or multifamily properties and $10,000 for public sites.

The grant application and eligible smart controller product list is provided below.

Grant Information and Application
Approved Smart Controller Product List - Grant

Water Authority Contact: Mayda Portillo
Phone Number: (858) 522-6762
Email: mportillo@sdcwa.org

Multifamily Smart Controllers

Our discount voucher can reduce the cost of a 24-station controller by $600 . Vouchers can be redeemed by participating contractors or irrigation suppliers. Click here for additional details.

Your property may be eligible for discounts on weather-based irrigation controllers. These smart controllers can help maximize your landscape investments and reduce expenses. For an application and more information click here.

Water Authority Contact: Mayda Portillo
Phone Number: (858) 522-6762
Email: mportillo@sdcwa.org

Water Savings Performance Program (Residential Sites Over One Acre)

Metropolitan Water District provides $195 per acre foot of water saved or about $3 per 1,000 gallons saved to sites within San Diego County. Incentive is based on the potential for savings over 5 years. Eligible project costs include labor, hardware and up to 1 year of water management fees. To express interest please fill out the statement of interest. For more information contact: Deneice Cotton at (213) 217-6616 or dcotton@mwdh2o.com. For eligibility information click here.

Water Authority Contact: Mayda Portillo
Phone Number: (858) 522-6762
Email: mportillo@sdcwa.org

California-Friendly Home Incentives (New Construction)

Incentives are available for newly constructed single-family detached homes and multifamily common areas. Interested developers must contact Honeywell International at (800) 986-4538 to apply. Below is a list of incentives available:

Water Authority Contact: Mayda Portillo
Phone Number: (858) 522-6762
Email: mportillo@sdcwa.org

Agricultural Water Management Program

The Agricultural Water Management Program provides free irrigation system evaluations to agricultural properties with two or more acres of irrigated crop or grove. Emission uniformity and pressure readings are determined for the irrigation system and recommendations are given along with crop data and technical information about the particular type of irrigation equipment in use. The program is free to all agricultural irrigators in the Water Authority's service area. For additional program information or to schedule an agricultural survey, please call Mission Resource Conservation District at (760) 728-1332.

Water Authority Contact: Lori Swanson
Phone Number: (858) 522-6768
Email: lswanson@sdcwa.org