Reducing our water use is important indoors and out. However, we use much more water outdoors and roughly 80% of that water does not make its way back to local waterways. This makes outdoor water conservation extremely important in protecting our vital water resources in the Eagle River Valley.
ERWSD provides rebates for customers who take steps to reduce their outdoor water use. Thank you for doing your part.
What rebates are available?
Landscape Transformation –The District will pay up to $2 per square foot of irrigated lawn you replace with native or drought tolerant landscaping. The rebate is not to exceed the amount paid for landscape transformation (cost of services, materials, hired labor, etc.). There is a 100 square foot minimum requirement but no maximum requirement.
Irrigation System Upgrades – Upgrade your irrigation system with efficient sprinkler heads, drip irrigation, or recommendations after a professional irrigation audit. Commercial and HOA accounts that serve four or more homes are required to have an irrigation audit by a certified landscape professional to qualify for this rebate.
Smart Irrigation Controllers – Replace your current irrigation controller with a Smart one that uses weather data, soil sensors, and rain gauges to automatically adjust irrigation based on plant water requirements.
Irrigation Evaluation – Schedule an appointment with our Qwel certified irrigation evaluator to check your irrigation system and identify ways to make it more efficient. Irrigation systems must be turned on and in use for the season. An evaluation will not be accepted for an account that has not been turned on for the season. This is free of charge for Individually Metered Residential account customers. Other account types are not eligible and will need to contact a professional landscaper.
Contact us by emailing [email protected] or calling (970) 477-5451 to schedule an appointment.
| REBATE TYPE | INDIVIDUALLY METERED RESIDENTIAL ACCOUNT | COMMERCIAL / HOA / IRRIGATION ONLY ACCOUNTS |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape transformation | Up to $2 per square foot, 100 sq. ft. minimum | |
| Irrigation System Upgrades | 25% of customer cost up to $1,500 | 25% of cost up to $5000 per acre per irrigation account (only applies to irrigation only accounts that serve 4 or more homes or common areas of ½ acre or more) |
| Smart Irrigation Controller | 25% of customer cost up to $200 | No stand alone rebate - part of Irrigation System Upgrade |
| Irrigation Evaluation | Free: performed by ERWSD staff | No stand alone rebate - part of Irrigation System Upgrade |
How do I get a rebate?
Here are six simple steps to getting a rebate:
- Request a site visit. It’s important that we get a clear picture of your existing landscaping conditions, answer any questions, and make recommendations as needed. (In some cases, high quality photos may be sufficient instead of a site visit).
- Make a plan. Maybe all you need is a Smart controller. Or you may want to do an entire lawn/landscape transformation. Your site visit and/or irrigation evaluation will help determine this. Consider consulting with your fire district for a fire assessment as well. You may qualify for multiple rebates.
- Complete the work. Do the work yourself or have a professional landscaper do it (save your receipts). Either way, the work must be completed before we issue a rebate. This is the exciting part!
- Request a post-work site visit. We’d like to see the improvements made. And we can’t wait to know how much water you’re saving.
- Submit your online rebate application by filling out this form. Send before and after photos, itemized receipts or invoices, and the size estimate for any lawn conversion areas. And then pat yourself on the back!
- Get your rebate! Rebates of less than $1000 will be issued as a credit on your account. Rebates of more than $1000 will be issued a check. Either way, you will get some compensation for your water conservation efforts. Good job!
Submit your online Rebate Application by filling out this form
Note: In order to be eligible for water efficiency rebates, you must not use herbicides within 75' of the Eagle River and 25' of Gore Creek and tributaries and you must be registered with the WaterSmart Program. You can register for the WaterSmart Program by filling out this form.
Additional Information about the rebate program
Find a Certified Landscaper:
Learn more about Qwel Certified Landscapers
Learn more about Certified Irrigation Professionals - Irrigation Association
- To participate in the Irrigation Systems Upgrade Rebate, an irrigation audit is required for common space areas for multi-family residential, commercial, or irrigation only accounts.
- The Irrigation System Upgrade Rebate may only be used one time per customer in a 10-year period.
- The Irrigation System Upgrade Rebate can be used for equipment and/or irrigation system upgrades, not for costs associated with landscape design, consultations, or installation services.
- To receive a Landscape Transformation Rebate, ERWSD will need to validate existing lawn areas prior to the start of the project. Lawns that are dead or dying from lack of irrigation will qualify for a rebate. There is not maximum square footage limit for lawn/turf to be eligible for the rebate.
- Landscape Transformation projects shall follow the Town of Vail and/or Eagle River Fire Protection District guidance on defensible space.
- The homeowner, property manager, HOA manager, or written designee can apply for rebate(s).
- Item(s) and/or services must have been purchased within the last calendar year of the application date.
- Remodels that involve landscape alterations may qualify for rebates at ERWSD's discretion.
- Any product purchased must be used as a replacement or upgrade of an old fixture.
- Smart Irrigation Controllers should be purchased to replace manually adjusted, timer-based irrigation controllers. This rebate is available one time per customer, per 10 years. Please reference the online EPA WaterSense irrigation controller list.
- Customers must submit a legible copy of a receipt or invoice for the eligible product(s) and/or services with the date of purchase to receive a rebate.
- Customers may apply for rebates by using this WaterSmart forms page.
- All customer account types with water service are eligible to participate in the rebate program. Please allow 6-8 weeks for processing.
The following DOES NOT qualify for a rebate:
- Equipment that is used, leased, refurbished, rented, received from warranty or insurance claims, exchanged, or won as a prize.
- Irrigation systems associate with new homes or building construction.
- Aerating and over seeding a native plant mix on top of existing turf grass.
- The use of Polymeric sand, hardening agents, or other similar impermeable products.
- Invasive plants, impermeable hardscape, artificial turfgrass, and water features. A customer may always request a review of their landscaping plan.
- Yards or landscaping that is bare dirt.
Customers must be registered with WaterSmart in order to receive ERWSD rebates. This helpful tool allows you to track your water use and access important information about your bills.
Free water efficiency devices available for ERWSD customers.
- Toilet leak detection tablets
- Water-saving moisture meter
- Deluxe high efficiency hose nozzle
- 50 mm rain gauge
Call Customer Service with any questions 970-477-5451.
Thank you for helping to conserve water.