Frequently Asked Questions Print

 

Starting April 22, 2010, you may be able to combine SoCal Water$mart rebates with statewide appliance rebates! Read the California Cash for Appliances FAQs for more information about how to participate.


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

The region-wide program began the new fiscal year of funding on June 1, 2010 at 8:00 a.m.  Rebates are available to residential customers of participating water agencies within Metropolitan Water District’s (MWD) service area through April 30, 2011, 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.

Limit one rebate application per product category, per address. If you have already received a rebate through this program for a qualifying device, you may not apply again for the same product category.

Multifamily customers are eligible to receive clothes washer rebates through this program. These include apartments, condominiums, townhomes, and mobile homes with five dwellings or more, as well as properties that are represented by a homeowners association or a property management company. Multifamily landscape product rebates must be processed through the Save Water Save a Buck commercial rebate program at www.mwdsaveabuck.com.

 

Contractors or other third parties are not eligible for rebates.

 

What is required to receive a rebate?

As of June 1, 2010, the program offers applications only online via this website on the "Get Your Rebate" page.

Once completed, mail the following within 60 days of online application confirmation:

  1. A copy of the printout of the rebate application confirmation page
  2. Sales receipt or 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

If you are a multifamily customer and your name is not on the water bill, please call our hotline at: 1-888-376-3314.

 


How much is my rebate?

Baseline product requirements and rebate amounts are as follows:

  • High-efficiency clothes washers (4.0 Water Factor or less): $135
  • Rotating nozzles: $3/nozzle, minimum of 25
  • 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

High-efficiency toilet rebates are no longer offered through the program. Currently only LADWP offers local HET rebates, which may be submitted via the standard online program application located on Get Your Rebate. Other local agencies may offer HET rebates at a future time; check the website periodically or call your local water agency for more information.

 

Note: not all qualifying products may be clearly marked in stores.  Please consult the Qualifying Products lists 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 Estimate Your Rebate.


I made a qualifying product purchase before June 1st but have not submitted my rebate application.  Can I still receive a rebate?

No.  All purchases made prior to June 1, 2010 and applications with supporting documentation that was not postmarked by May 31, 2010 are ineligible for rebate funding.

 

What is the status of my rebate?

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

 

What are the hotline's hours?

The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm PT.


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. A letter from the retail water agency is acceptable as an alternative to a copy of the water bill if you do not have one available.

Renters may be eligible to participate with written consent of property owner, however the renter’s name must be on the water bill. An explanation is required if the rebate check is to be issued to a different name. Call the program hotline if you have questions: 1-888-376-3314.



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?

You are eligible to receive rebates through this program if you are part of a homeowners association and your name is on the water bill. However, if you are part of a homeowner’s association but your name is not on the water bill, please contact the program to determine your eligibility.

 


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.