The details
Part of the WaterSmart program, the LCRA now offers higher maximum rebates on mechanical aeration, composting and converting turf into native or drought-resistant landscapes.
- Soil moisture and rain sensors
- Irrigation system evaluations
- Pressure-reducing heads, nozzles, valves and in-line regulators
- WaterSense smart controllers
- Pool filters and covers
- Soil testing
The rebates are available to most businesses and residents that receive water from an LCRA firm water customer alongside domestic use LCRA customers with contracts to draw water directly from the Highland Lakes, the news release states.
This includes cities such as Cedar Park, Dripping Springs, Pflugerville and Leander, alongside municipal utility districts such as the Lakeway MUD, Hurst Creek MUD and several Travis county MUDs. Click here for a full list of eligible firm water customers.
City of Austin customers can receive water rebates through Austin Water.
The context
The increase in rebates for water conservation projects comes as the region continues to face drought, with about 90.5% of Travis County facing severe drought as of July 1, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“We hope these rebates encourage residents to use technology and take other measures to cut back on outdoor water use, which saves both water and money,” said John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of water. “This drought is serious, and we need to be thoughtful about how we use water.”
About 30-60% of the water homeowners use in the summer is used outdoors depending on the region, about 50% of which is wasted partially due to overwatering, according to the Environmental Protection Agency in 2024. Of the 29 billion gallons of water used daily in households across the U.S., about 9 billion gallons were used outdoors primarily for irrigating landscapes.
The EPA also estimates that a single broken sprinkler head could result in up to 25,000 gallons of water being wasted over a six month period of irrigation.
Also of note
Rebates for water conservation from the LCRA are also available for businesses, schools and other institutions. For more information on LCRA’s commercial rebates, click here.
