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
Rain Barrel Requirements – Please note that Ivy Barrels purchased as part of the countywide rain barrel program meet all the below requirements.
- I installed a newly purchased rain barrel(s) in San Mateo County.
- My rain barrel is a minimum size of 50 gallons and is designed for the intended purpose of rain capture.
- My barrel has a secure lid for child safety and either rust-proof screening or a sealed design for vector control (mosquito, rodent) and debris control.
- My barrel is not foldable or made from thin, bendable, or flexible material.
- My barrel is algae and UV-resistant or I am using specially constructed sun barriers.
- The rain barrel is installed in accordance with the program requirements, as noted in the installation requirements.
- I understand that BAWSCA and the local water agencies reserve the right to deny a rebate to any applicant that does not meet the program requirements.
Rain Barrel Installation Requirements
- Rain barrel must be connected to a rain gutter downspout, rain chain, or other effective means of capturing concentrated flow from roofs or other impervious surfaces.
- Rain barrel must not be connected to the potable water system and collected rainwater must be utilized via a hose, bucket, irrigation tubing, or other outdoor nonpotable water distribution system.
- Rain barrel must be placed on a solid and level foundation, such as concrete pad, pavers, or bricks for appropriate stability.
- Rain barrel must not block or restrict access to walkways or pathways, which may become a safety/emergency access issue.
- Overflow pipe from rain barrels must be directed away from buildings and/or adjacent properties and may flow to landscape (preferred).
- Copper materials (including downspouts) are not allowed due to potential leaching concerns.
- Rain barrel must be maintained for a minimum of three years upon receipt of rebate, including ongoing maintenance to ensure that the barrel does not become a breeding site for mosquitoes and thereby a public health threat.
- Manufacturer’s installation and maintenance instructions must be followed.
- Participants must allow BAWSCA and San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program to reference the project and use photos submitted with the application in outreach materials, and must respond to minimal requests for information about the project for purposes of Program reporting.
Rain Barrel Installation Recommendations
- Locate the rain barrel on a raised foundation to accommodate a watering can and increase gravity flow.
- Placement of the outlet pipe/faucet a maximum of 6 inches from the bottom of rain barrel.
- Consider strapping rain barrel similar to earthquake straps for hot water heaters, or per manufacturer recommendations.
- Consider limiting height:width ratio of the rain barrel to 2:1 to prevent instability.
- Include a copy of the original rain barrel receipt with the rebate application.
- Inclide two post-installation photos with my rebate application. These photos must be taken from two different angles and show the downspout connection, secured lid, and overflow valve/pipe.
- Install the rain barrel and submit the rebate application within 90 days of rain barrel purchase.
- Please note that a post-installation inspection may be required at the discretion of the participating agency or the local mosquito and vector control agency.
- All rebates are subject to the availability of funds.
- Rebates are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis until all funds are expended or through the program expiration date of June 30, 2024, whichever comes first.
- Rebates are up to $200 dependent on local agency participation and storage capacity, or up to the total cost of the rain barrel or cistern, not including sales tax, whichever is less.
- Limit of two rebates per single-family residential account or four rebates per multi-family resident or commercial account. For questions regarding rebates in excess of these limits, contact BAWSCA at (650) 349-3000 or email bawsca@bawsca.org.
- For self-made rain barrel systems, the rebate amount may be applied to the costs (before sales tax) associated with the purchase of accompanying accessories/hardware necessary for installing a rain barrel or modifying a downspout to connect a barrel (does not apply to new or replaced gutters or downspouts).
- Rebates may take up to eight (8) weeks to process.
- Rebates are issued as checks or as credits to the customer’s water service account, at the discretion of the participating BAWSCA agency.
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 mosquitos?
An enclosed rain barrel or one that has a screening at the point in which water enters the barrel (as required in the rebate program) should not attract mosquitos and prevents 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], 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.