What is the current status of the SoCal Water$mart rebate program?

The region-wide program re-launched on September 21, 2009, at 9:00 a.m.  Rebates are available to residential customers of participating water agencies within Metropolitan Water District’s (MWD) service area through May 31, 2010, or until funds are depleted (whichever comes first).

Funding is limited and submitting a rebate application does not guarantee you will receive payment.  Rebates will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted.  Please check our website homepage for status of available funding.
 

Who is eligible to receive rebates?

Only residential water customers of participating MWD member water agencies are eligible for SoCal Water$mart rebates.  Residential water customers are those living in houses or apartments, townhomes, condominiums or mobile home complexes with four or less dwellings that are NOT represented by a homeowners association or property management company.

Contractors or other third parties are ineligible for rebates.
 

What is required to receive a rebate?

As of September 21, 2009, the program resumed an application-based system that does not require a rebate reservation prior to purchase.  You can download a rebate form or submit your application online, click on “Get Your Rebate.”

Once completed, mail the following within 45 days of purchase:

1. A signed, completed rebate form (or a printout of the confirmation page if submitting online)
2. An original sales receipt or original invoice from your contractor that includes brand, model and price of the qualifying rebate device
3. A copy of your water bill

Mail to:
SoCal Water$mart Rebate Program
3800 Watt Ave., Suite 105
Sacramento, CA 95821

How much is my rebate?

Baseline product requirements and rebate amounts are as follows:

• High-efficiency clothes washers (4.0 Water Factor or less): $50
• High-efficiency toilets (WaterSense qualified, 1.28 gallons per flush [gpf] or less): $50
• Rotating nozzles: $4/nozzle
  • *Note new requirement -- must install each with matching pressure regulating device to qualify.
• Weather-based irrigation controllers (models tested under the Irrigation Association’s Smart Water Application Technology [SWAT] protocols)
  • Less than 1 acre: $80
  • 1+ acre: $25/station
• Synthetic turf: $0.60/sq ft
  • Not available in all areas; retrofitted area must be less than ½ acre
  • Requiring minimum local agency match funding of $0.30 sq ft. to qualify.

Note: not all qualifying products may be clearly marked in stores.  Please use Qualifying Products to find the most recent lists of qualifying models.  Also, some participating member water agencies may add funding to the baseline rebate amount.  To see details on your water agency’s offerings, visit on Estimate Your Rebate.

 
I made a qualifying product purchase before September 21st.  Can I still receive a rebate?

No.  All purchases made prior to September 21, 2009, are ineligible for rebate funding.

 
I made a reservation for my qualifying product purchase before September 21st but have not claimed my rebate yet.  Can I still receive a rebate?

You have 30 days from the date of reservation to submit the required documentation.  Mail the following to the address above:

1. An original sales receipt or invoice from your contractor indicating the purchase date
2. A copy of your water bill
3. Reservation number and date of issue
4. A copy of the landscape contractor C-27 license if applicable

 
 What is the status of my rebate?

Call the hotline for an update at: (888) 376-3314.  Please have your application number ready.

Why do you need a copy of my water bill?

A copy of your water bill will help verify that you are a customer of a participating water agency and eligibility.  In addition, some agencies provide higher rebate amounts.  By verifying your water provider, we can be sure to issue the correct amount.

 
My water agency only bills every three months, and I don’t have my current bill.  Can I still receive a rebate?

You do not have to submit a current bill.  A recent water bill that shows your name, address, and account number will be acceptable.  If you do not have any copies of your earlier water bills, we can accept a letter from your water agency verifying your status and account number.
 

I’m part of a homeowners association that pays my water bill.  Can I still receive a rebate?

No.  If you are not the account holder on the water bill, you are ineligible.  However, you may be eligible by applying through the Commercial rebate program at www.mwdsaveabuck.com.
 

I want to keep my product receipt in case I need it in the future.  Can I provide a copy of my receipt?

No.  We need an original receipt to verify that this was a valid purchase submitted only one time for a rebate.  Many retailers will provide two receipts at the time of purchase.
 

Can I still receive a rebate if my model is not listed on your website?

No.  Only products that meet the stated eligibility criteria qualify for a rebate.  Many products have similar model numbers, but only the exact models on the list will qualify.  There are instances where new products are not yet on our list; those models may qualify, but there will likely be a delay in processing until the product list is updated (typically monthly).  We recommend that applicants visit the Qualifying Products page to verify eligibility prior to or at the time of purchase.
 

Can I receive a rebate if I purchase qualified products through a contractor?

Yes.  If your contractor purchases devices for you, be sure to get a paid-in-full invoice that you can use as your receipt to accompany the rebate application.  Please note that your contractor is not eligible to receive rebates.