Residential Rebates
Indoor
– High-Efficiency Washers (HEW) | $145
– High-Efficiency Toilets (PHET) | $40 (1.1gpf or less)
Outdoor
– Rain Barrel | $50/barrel (maximum of 2)
– Cistern | $300 (200-500 gallon capacity) (maximum of 1)
– Cistern | $375 (501-999 gallon capacity) (maximum of 1)
– Cistern | $450 (1,000+ gallon capacity) (maximum of 1)
– Weather-Based Irrigation Controller (WBIC) | $130 (under 1 irrigated acre)
– Weather-Based Irrigation Controller (WBIC) | $35 (per station over 1 irrigated acre)
– Rotating Sprinkler Nozzles | $2/nozzle (minimum of 15)
– Moisture Sensor | $80 ($35 per irrigation controller)
– Flow Monitoring Device | $130 (as of 9/1/24)
NOTE: Supplemental incentives are limited to the actual device cost (actual device cost is the retail price of the device excluding tax, shipping, labor, or other charges). Rebates listed above are subject to change or termination at any time due to funding from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and supplemental funding from Otay Water District.
To view all available rebates, call 1 (888) 376-3314 or visit socalwatersmart.com.
Commercial Rebates
Plumbing Fixtures
– Premium High-Efficiency Toilet | $40/Toilet
– Ultra Low and Zero Water Urinal | $200
– Plumbing Flow Control Valves | $5/Valve (minimum of 10)
Landscaping Equipment
– Irrigation Controller | $35/Irrigation Controller Station
– Soil Moisture Sensor System | $35/Irrigation Controller Station
– Rotating Nozzles for Pop-up Spray Heads | $2/Nozzle
– Large Rotary Nozzles | $13/Set
– In-Stem Flow Regulators | $1/Regulator
Food Equipment
– Air-cooled Ice Machine | $1,000
– Connectionless Food Steamer | $485/Compartment
NOTE: Rebates listed above are subject to change or termination at any time due to funding from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and supplemental funding from Otay Water District.
To view all available rebates, call 1 (888) 376-3314 or visit socalwatersmart.com.
Rebates For Unincorporated Areas of San Diego County (Commercial and Residential)
The County of San Diego’s Waterscape Rebate Program offers high-value rebates to residents, businesses, and agricultural producers living in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.
– Turf Replacement | Up to $5 per square foot (includes rebate for removing grass near pavement that is ineligible for SoCal WaterSmart turf replacement)
– Landscape Optimization Service | Up to $5 per sq. ft. + 50% of stormwater feature costs + expert assistance
– Native Plants | $1 per square foot (on top of existing rebates)
– Rain Barrels, Gutters, Cisterns, Rain Gardens | Up to $3,500
– Smart Irrigation Controller | $80 per controller or $60 per station
– Septic Rebate Program | $100 per service
– Agricultural Irrigation Efficiency Program | $550 per acre or $5,000 per project
Turf Replacement Program
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Turf Replacement Program offers at least $2.00 per square foot to qualified residents and businesses who replace their turf with water-efficient landscaping features.
Applicants are also eligible to receive $100 per tree installed, for a maximum incentive for up to five trees ($500) per turf replacement application in addition to the turf replacement incentive.
NOTE: Please do not start your turf removal project until you have applied to the program and received an official notice to proceed.
Landscape Efficiency and Value Enhancement Solutions Program (LEAVES)
Commercial landscapes can benefit from new water-efficient device rebates by participating in the San Diego County Water Authority’s LEAVES program. Reduce water waste, comply with new State laws, and increase beauty at commercial landscapes.
– Smart Irrigation Controller | $60/Station
– Rotating Nozzles | $6/Nozzle
– Rotors | $18/Pair
– Flow Sensor | $120/Sensor
– Master Valve | $500/Valve
– Drip Irrigation | $1/Linear Foot (for 1st 10,000 LF + $0.50 for 2nd 10,000 LF; $15,000 max)
– Drip Eco-Indicator | $15 or $20 (6” or 9”)
Free landscape surveys and a turf removal rebate of $2-$5 per square foot are also available.
Contact Conservation
Free Water Use Efficiency Survey
Apply for a free survey to help improve your landscape and indoor water-use efficiency. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California offers in-person surveys for large commercial landscapes and virtual and in-person indoor/outdoor surveys for residential customers.
WaterSmart landscaping Classes and Resources
Living WaterSmart is about rethinking how we use our limited water resources and making the right choices for water efficiency. It not only helps save money, but it creates vibrant yards, reduces energy use, protects our natural resources, and reduces landscape maintenance. This website offers a list of tips, programs, incentives, classes, and events for living a WaterSmart lifestyle.
For more information and to register for classes, click here.
Be Water Wise
Metropolitan Water District’s portal bewaterwise.com offers water-saving rebates and grants, landscape classes, and tons of helpful tips to lower your water use. Learn a new set of water-wise gardening and practices distinguished from the rest of Southern California.
The Water Conservation Garden
Looking for ideas on how to make your landscape more water-efficient? Visit the Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon for a free docent-guided tour of their exhibits. Explore the various gardens — native habitat, compost, veggie, and succulent — for ideas and inspiration. Book a landscape design consultation with a licensed professional or learn new techniques at one of their many classes.
Master Gardener Association of San Diego County
This free online resource can answer your gardening questions and offers guidance on your various garden-related needs. Master Gardeners are volunteers trained and certified by the University of California Cooperative Extension.
WaterSmart Landscape Contest
Previously known as the California-Friendly Landscape Contest, this annual competition rewards water-efficient landscapes created by residential customers of the Otay Water District. Be recognized for your work in water conservation and neighborhood beautification – enter the contest for a chance to win various competition.
Find a Qualified Professional Landscaper
- Irrigation Association – Find certified landscape irrigation designers, auditors, water managers, and more. For details, click here.
- California Landscape Contractors Association – Find tips on how to hire a landscape contractor. For details, click here.
Watering Calculator
Not sure how much water you use inside your home? Use the Homewaterworks Calculator to show which water uses in your home are efficient and which are not.
Drip Calculator
Measure and estimate water waste due to leaks.
Toiletology 101
You do not need to be a plumber to fix the most common toilet problems. Use this free online resource to learn about the different types of toilets, how to fix and replace them, and more.
Toilet Performance Study
This resource provides performance information on over 1,800 different toilets including over 940 WaterSense certified high-efficiency toilets.
EPA WaterSense
Otay Water District has been an EPA WaterSense partner since 2008. WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Its mission is to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and services. Reduce water use by choosing products bearing the WaterSense label. These are generally 20 percent more water-efficient than similar products in the marketplace.
To learn more and find WaterSense-labeled products, click here.
Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing (PACE)
The PACE program provides home and business owners the opportunity to make water and energy improvements to their properties with little or no up-front costs.
Wildfire Management Outside the Home
Being ready for wildfire starts with maintaining defensible space, hardening your home, and planning to evacuate in case of an emergency. Find the right wildfire action plan for your family and home.