Rain Barrel Rebate Application Steps
- Review the Terms & Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions below.
- Check your rebate eligibility here.
- Online Application: Create a BAWSCA account by clicking here and selecting the “Get Started” button and adding your user details. If you have already created an account on the BAWSCA site, login with your username and password.
- Paper Application: Fill out and mail in the paper application found here with the required documentation noted below.
- Submit your application within 90 days of the purchase, including copies of your original receipts and two post-installation images.
- Get paid! Rebates may take up to eight (8) weeks to process.
- The rebate application process is administered by BAWSCA. For questions or issues with the online portal or for rebate application questions, contact bawsca@bawsca.org.
Rain Barrel Rebate Requirements & Checklist
What are rain barrels?
Rain barrels are used to collect rainwater from hard surfaces such as rooftops and store it for later use. They are low-cost systems that allow you to supplement your water supply with a sustainable source and help preserve local watersheds by detaining rainfall. When you install a rain barrel at your home you are helping to maintain a healthy urban watershed by reducing the demand on the potable water system to irrigate your garden, and by reducing the amount of wet weather runoff that is collected and sent into the public stormwater system, which goes untreated into our bays and estuaries.
Are rain barrels a good option for me?
Rain barrels and cisterns are appropriate for sites with the following characteristics:
- Roof areas that drain to downspouts.
- A level, firm surface to support a rain barrel to prevent shifting or falling over. A full 55-gallon rain barrel will weigh over 400 lbs.
- A landscaped area where captured water can be used (and where it can be drained by gravity flow) located within a reasonable distance.
- A landscaped area or safe path to the storm drain.
How much water do rain barrels save?
The amount of water that can be collected from a rooftop depends on several variables, including the dimensions of the rooftop, the collection capacity, and the amount and timing of the rain received. Be sure to do some calculations to determine how much rain barrel storage capacity you need. Typically, 1,000 square feet of roof surface can capture 625 gallons of water for every inch of rainfall. That can calculate to over 11,000 gallons of stormwater capture from each home per year!
How do I use the water collected in a rain barrel?
Collected rainwater can be used for landscaping irrigation, for filling birdbaths, or other nonpotable water use such as rinsing off tools.
San Mateo County requires that rain barrels must not be connected to any other supply water system, including sprinkler systems that are connected to your home’s water supply. This is to prevent the water from your barrel, which is not treated, from mixing with the public water supply. The best way to prevent this is to only hook a garden hose, or isolated drip irrigation system, to the outlet of your barrel and use it for watering your landscaping directly. Also, if you choose to fill your rain barrel with water from
the garden hose for storage and use later, never put the hose inside the barrel, as unintended
suction can contaminate the water in your home and the public water supply.
What type of water can be collected in a rain barrel?
Only rainwater should be diverted in a barrel. Do not divert waste water from appliances or other sources to your barrel. This water is considered “grey water” and can contain bacteria that will flourish inside the barrel over time.
Can I drink water from my rain barrel?
DO NOT DRINK WATER FROM YOUR RAIN BARREL! Water from your roof is not safe to drink,
but is fine to water your yard. It is not recommended to water edible gardens with your rain
barrel.
Do rain barrels attract mosquitoes?
An enclosed rain barrel or one that has a screening at the point at which water enters the barrel (as required in the rebate program) should not attract mosquitoes and prevent them from laying their eggs.
How much money do I qualify for with the rebate program?
If you haven’t reached your lifetime maximum of two (2) rebates per single-family residential water account or four (4) rebates per multi-family residential or commercial water account, see below.
If you live in San Mateo County, you’re eligible for the countywide rain barrel rebate funded by our program, the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program (Flows To Bay). This rebate is overseen and operated by the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA).
- 50 – 99 gallons: Up to a $50 rebate per barrel
- 100 – 199 gallons: Up to $100 rebate per barrel
- 200 or more gallons: Up to $150 rebate per barrel
If your water district is a BAWSCA participating agency (Brisbane/Guadalupe Valley Municipal Improvement District, Burlingame, Daly City, Millbrae, Redwood City [not including CalWater customers], City of San Bruno, City of San Mateo, Menlo Park Municipal Water, Mid-Peninsula Water District, and North Coast County Water District), you’re eligible for the $50 rebate from BAWSCA in addition to the countywide rebate, which equates to:
- 50 – 99 gallons: Up to a $100 rebate per barrel
- 100 – 199 gallons: Up to $150 rebate per barrel
- 200 or more gallons: Up to $200 rebate per barrel
You can check your rebate eligibility here.
Direct rebate-related questions to BAWSCA for both qualification types via phone at (650) 349-3000 or email bawsca@bawsca.org.
All rebate applications get sent to and are reviewed by BAWSCA, not Flows To Bay.
