Rebates & Surveys

Landscape Conversion Rebate garden The City and Valley Water provide landscape rebates. We encourage saving water in our community by offering higher rebate dollar amounts among neighboring cities.

For rebates to collect rainwater, visit Valley Water.

Residential Landscape Rebates

Your property may qualify for a Landscape Conversion Rebate. Receive up to $5,000 to convert your lawn or pool to low water landscape. Eligible lawns and pools receive $4 per square foot for the first 1,000 square feet and $2 per square foot after that. Residential sites are held to a lifetime combined rebate cap of $5,000. All customers must submit an application.

DO NOT START ANY WORK until you receive a written Notice to Proceed from Valley Water.

Please Note:

Fake grass is not allowed.
Barriers like plastic weed cloth and plastic sheeting are not allowed. If used, rebates will be denied. Cardboard, natural fiber cloth and other weed barriers that break down naturally are allowed.
No more than 50% of the converted area can have pavers, flagstone and similar hardscape that water can flow through.

Landscape Conversion	Convert high water use areas to water-wise landscape
In-Line Drip Conversion	Switch out sprinklers to an in-line drip system
Irrigation Equipment Upgrade	Change to high efficiency controllers & equipment

Landscape Conversion Rebate Plant Photo Glossaries

Valley Water Qualified CALIFORNIA NATIVE Plants

Valley Water Qualified Plants

Graywater Laundry-to-Landscape Rebate

Connect your clothes washer to a graywater system to qualify for the Graywater Laundry-to-Landscape Rebate. Eligible systems receive $400 and any building permit costs.

Residential Landscape Survey

Home Water Use Tools

Pick up both kits from Water & Sewer Utilities at City Hall during regular business hours.

Leak Detection Kit

Practical Plumbing Handbook
Toilet Leak Detection Dye Tablets

Valley Water's videos demonstrate how to use the kit.

Do-It-Yourself Water Wise Indoor Survey Kits

Do-It-Yourself Kits are available in English, Mandarin, Spanish & Vietnamese:

Instruction booklet
Two toilet leak detection tablets
Flow measurement bag
List of current conservation programs

Have a DIY kit delivered to you free from Valley Water's online store.

Business / Commercial

Valley Water offers rebates and programs to conserve water to:

commercial, industrial and institutional (CII) properties
multifamily sites of 5 or more units

Visit Valley Water Rebates & Surveys for program details.

Landscape Rebates

Planting and irrigation upgrades create attractive and durable low water gardens. CII and multifamily sites of 5 or more units are eligible for up to $110,000 per site.

All customers must submit an application. Wait to receive a written Notice to Proceed from Valley Water before starting any work on any project.

Please Note:

Artificial turf/synthetic grass is prohibited and not eligible for rebate.
Barriers like plastic weed cloth and plastic sheeting are prohibited. If used, rebates will be denied. Cardboard, natural fiber cloth and other weed barriers that break down naturally are allowed.
No more than 50% of the converted area can have pavers, flagstone and similar hardscape that water can flow through.

Landscape Conversion*	Replace lawn with water-wise landscaping
Lawn to Mulch**	Convert turf to chipped wood or bark mulch
In-line Drip Irrigation	Switch out overhead sprinklers to an in-line drip system
Irrigation Equipment Upgrade	Change to high efficiency controllers & equipment
*Sites eligible for $3 per square foot for the first 10,000 square feet and $2 per square foot after that
**Sites eligible for $2 per square foot for the first 10,000 square feet and $1 per square foot after that

Visit Valley Water Landscape Rebate s or call their Conservation Hotline at 408-630-2554.

Landscape Surveys

Water Wise Outdoor Surveys

CII and multifamily properties of 5 or more units with landscapes under 1/2-acre may be eligible. A trained irrigation professional will evaluate your irrigation system. Visit Valley Water for details and to schedule Water Wise Outdoor Surveys.

Large Landscape Surveys

Eligible CII sites and multifamily properties of 5 or more units must have:

a minimum of 1/2-acre of irrigated landscape and/or
1,000 CCF of annual irrigation water use

Surveyors evaluate the current irrigation system and provide improvement strategies. For details and to schedule your free survey, visit Valley Water Large Landscape Surveys.

Submeter & Private Well Rebates

Submeters measure individual tenant water use. Multifamily properties or mobile home parks may receive a $150 rebate per installed submeter. Water use can be reduced up to 30% with submeters.

Private wells may be eligible to receive a $150 rebate by installing a new, Valley Water approved water meter. Wells must be located within one of Valley Water's active groundwater charge zones.

Installing a Dedicated Landscape Meter may qualify for up to $1000 per meter.

Visit Valley Water Submeter & Private Well Rebates or call 408-630-2957.

Water Efficient Technology (WET) Rebate

CII properties may qualify for rebates up to $100,000 to upgrade to equipment that reduces water use. Rebates are based on water savings.

Visit Valley Water Commercial & Facility Rebates or call 408-630-2205.

Free Messaging & Equipment

Valley Water provides the following items free to businesses:

Table tents* for restaurants "Drinking Water By Request"
Hotel "Linen Reuse" Card
High-efficiency faucet aerators - 0.5 gallons per minute
Pre-rinse sprayers - 1.15 gallons per minute

*The City of Santa Clara asks that restaurants serve water only upon request. Restaurants may place table tents to clearly state by-request-only water service to guests. Table tents are also available at the Water & Sewer Utilities office at City Hall.

Last Updated:

02-12-2026