Sunset Valley Rainwater System Rebate and Water Conservation Incentives

Updated February 2024

The City of Sunset Valley is offering up to $5,000 in rainwater collection system rebates to their water customers who install larger rainwater harvesting systems. The rebate covers the cost of gutters, leaf screens, first-flush diverters, cisterns, conveyance piping, and water treatment systems.

In addition, since the City of Sunset Valley is a water customer of Austin Water, residents can also take advantage of the City of Austin rainwater harvesting rebate which can provide up to an additional $5,000 in rebates.

Therefore, residents have an opportunity for a maximum rebate of $10,000!

Eligibility requirements include:

• Must be a customer of City of Sunset Valley
• Must be the property owner or utility account holder
• May not have applied in the past 12 months
• Must intend to keep a system 500 gallons or less in service for five years and a system greater than 500 gallons in service for ten years
• Agrees to any needed pre- and post-installation inspections by Sunset Valley Public Works Department
• Must be a new system or an expansion of an existing system
• Must meet City subdivision and zoning requirements, including setback and impervious cover limits and any homeowner’s association regulations
• Systems with a pump (including combined capacity if multiple tanks are connected) must meet auxiliary water requirements, including cross connection testing, backflow prevention, and permits prior to rebate approval. An annual rebate of backflow testing is available for rainwater harvesting systems
• Equipment must be new and intended for rainwater harvesting
• Metal tanks must be lined. Transparent tanks/pipe must be painted or enclosed
• Tanks that are greater than 500 gallons must have a first-flush diversion system and a level base made of gravel, sand, or concrete.

Rebates will be issued after the system is installed and inspected by a Public Works representative and a final cost report submitted.

As part of our installation service, we will provide all of the documentation necessary to complete the rainwater harvesting system rebate application.

Download the Sunset Valley rainwater collection system rebate form

City of Sunset Valley Rebate Process

The following process and requirements apply to all the following rebate programs listed here.

• Applicant must be a resident of Sunset Valley.
• Attach itemized receipts and any other documentation needed.  You can also attach photos of the receipts or documents.
• Submit the rebate application within 30 days of completing the work.
• Total rebate cannot be more than the cost of the project including anticipated rebates from the City of Austin.
• Purchases and applications must be made within the current fiscal year that runs October 1st through September 30th.
• Complete the online application process here.

Irrigation Rain Sensors

In an effort to encourage water conservation the City of Sunset Valley is offering a financial incentive to homeowners that install rain sensors to their irrigation system. Rain sensors conserve water by turning irrigation systems off when selected levels of precipitation are measured. The rebate is for $25.00. Rebates are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Waterwise Landscaping Rebate Program

City of Sunset Valley’s WaterWise Landscaping rebate helps residents convert existing turf to native prairie and native plant beds.  This rebate may be able to be combined with Austin Water’s Waterwise Landscape Rebate.

• Up to $10,000 (lifetime cap per residential address)
• 0% cost of materials and installation
• Rebates may not exceed the total project costs
• Be a customer of City of Sunset Valley Utilities
• Apply for pre-approval prior to purchasing or installing any project materials
• Agree to pre and post inspection by City of Sunset Valley Public Works Department

A minimum of 500 square feet of turf converted unless resident resides in the Sunset Valley Villas

• 75% of the area must have healthy turf grass at the time of application.
• Must use native/adapted species from the City of Austin’s Grow Green Plant Guide.(Substitutions must be approved by the City of Sunset Valley)
• Cannot replace turf grass with another type of turf grass
• Must have at least 50% plant cover (at maturity)
• Plants installed between March 15th -May 15th or from September 15th -November 15th
• Plant beds must be top dressed with at least 2-3 inches of organic mulch
• Existing irrigation must be capped off or changed to drip or low-use bubblers
• No new permanent irrigation system may be installed in the conversion area
• Gravel paths may not be over 3 feet wide
• Gravel patios may not be over 200 square feet within the area
• No gravel between the sidewalk and street
• No water features allowed
• It is the responsibility of the homeowner to comply with any applicable homeowner association (HOA) requirements