Large User Water Conservation Rebates

Large Landscape Grass Removal Rebate Program Policy: $75,000 maximum

The rebate program encourages the installation of low-water-use, drought-tolerant plants (xeriscape) in lieu of grass, thereby creating a permanent reduction in the amount of water applied to landscapes. This program will assist commercial, industrial, HOA and multi-family properties with large landscape conversions. The rebate program reimburses 25% of the total project cost, plus an additional incentive of $3 per square foot to remove nonfunctional turf, as determined by the department. 

1. A least 5,000 square feet of grass must be removed unless all remaining grass is removed from the property and a waiver is issued by the Public Works & Utilities Water Conservation Office.
2. Plant material in the conversion area must be listed on the Phoenix AMA Low-Water-Use/Drought-Tolerant Plant List and, at typical mature size, must provide a minimum plant canopy coverage of 50% or match the existing density, as determined by the Water Conservation Office. Email Water Conservation with plant coverage inquiries.
3. Non-pervious materials such as black plastic sheeting are not permitted in the rebated area.
4. Installation of artificial turf will be determined on a case-by-case basis which will be discussed during the Pre-Application meeting. If artificial turf is used, it must be tacked down per manufacturer’s specifications, cannot include sprinkler irrigation, and must not exceed 1,000 square feet.
5. No fountains, pools, or other water-intensive features are permitted in the conversion area.
6. Scale drawings with a plant list/legend must be submitted and will be sent to the Planning and Development team for review.

7. Non-Functional Grass incentives are issued as determined by the Public Works & Utilities Water Conservation Office. Non-Functional Grass area include the following:

   1. Any narrow strips of grass especially areas with any single dimension of ten (10) feet or less.
   2. Grass areas exceeding a 4:1, or twenty-five percent (25%), slope.
   3. Grass areas that are not accessible by paved pathways and/or are restricted by physical barriers that prohibit accessibility.>
   4. Grass areas are installed closer than ten (10) feet to a street and/or in front entryways to residential neighborhoods or subdivisions where other recreational amenities do not exist.
   5. Grass areas are dedicated to drainage conveyances, storm basins, erosion control, or operational discharge and are not historically utilized for active programmed recreational purposes.
   6. Any grass area not historically used for recreational purposes and are primarily aesthetic or ornamental
8. Please read and understand the Large Landscape Grass Removal Rebate Policy before submitting your application.

The rebate is a two-step process. A “Pre-Conversion Approval Notice to Proceed (NtP)” form must be submitted prior to starting the project. Projects started before the first form has been submitted will be ineligible.

Materials needed to submit the first form:

• Updated W-9 
• Scale drawings with a detailed plant list for the conversion area(s)
• “Before” pictures of the grass area(s)

Resources for Getting Started

• Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert
• Phoenix AMA Low-Water-Use / Drought-Tolerant Plant List
• Example Low Water Use Landscapes
• Xeriscape: Landscaping With Style in the Arizona Desert
• Guide to Hiring a Landscape Professional
• 10 Reasons Why Artificial Turf May Not Be What You’re Looking For
• Good Reasons to Take Out Your Grass
• How to Remove Grass

• How to Protect Established Trees

Apply for a Rebate 

Apply for Rebate Notice to Proceed or Final Approval Policy

Email completed applications to Water Conservation, if you have any questions about the rebate process or requirements to qualify.  

Applications are generally processed within 10 business days. Rebates will be processed in the order in which they are received. Funds are limited. Rebates will be processed until funds are depleted.

Large User Smart Controller Rebate Program Policy: $3,000 maximum

The new Large User Smart Controller Rebate program encourages the installation of smart irrigation controllers, thereby creating a permanent reduction in the amount of water applied to landscapes. This program will assist commercial, industrial, HOA and multi-family properties that irrigate large landscapes. The rebate program reimburses 50% of the cost (tax & installation not included) to install up to five (5) individual controllers or one central control system with at least 100 stations.

Is a Smart Irrigation Controller Right for You?

• Do you want to reduce your landscape water use?
• Have you thought about using new technology in your landscape to improve your irrigation?
• Do you want to know how much water your landscape really needs to look healthy?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be ready for a smart controller.

These irrigation controllers use current weather data and specific site conditions, such as soil moisture, rain, wind, slope, soil type, plant type, and more to apply the right amount of water to the landscape. 

The use of smart irrigation controllers may qualify for a rebate of 50 percent of the actual cost of the controller (excluding taxes and installation costs) up to $3,000.

Apply for a Rebate 

Apply for Rebate Policy

In order to process your rebate, please attach 3 images to the online application including: an image of the receipt, a picture of the controller installed, and a screenshot of the watering schedule programmed on the mobile app for each controller purchased.

Applications are generally processed within 10 business days. Rebates will be processed in the order of which they are received. Funds are limited. Rebates will be processed until funds are depleted.

Water Efficient Technology Rebate Program Policy

This is a new program, intended to incentivize the installation of water-efficient technologies that utilize high-resolution data and real-time monitoring of system operation providing alerts/notifications designed to reduce water use. This technology can include cooling tower chemical and leak monitoring, submeters, flow sensors and more. The rebate reimburses up to 50% of the cost of the technology.

Qualifying Technology

1. Remote read cooling tower controllers. These should integrate with software that shows proof of real-time usage alert capabilities to the appropriate caretaker(s).
2. Water usage and leak monitoring and associated technology. May include hardware or software for a water usage and/or leak monitoring service but will not include ongoing monitoring subscription fees or software costs.
3. Submeters and associated technology. The size and number of qualifying submeters will be based on the scope of the project (e.g. number of residential units on the property or number of specialized water-using equipment such as cooling towers).
   1. Submetering projects must have a centralized monitoring component with real-time reads and usage alert capabilities. Systems that rely on occasional or non-automated monitoring are not eligible (e.g. manual reads).
   2. Permanent (in-line) submeters must meet or exceed the American Water Works Association and National Sanitation Foundation/American National Standards Institute (NSF/ANSI 61) standards.
   3. Chandler recommends customers interested in submeters to interview submetering companies and/or find an appropriate software to read and manage the submetering network. Chandler does not have a recommended provider list.
4. Irrigation control system with controller, master valve, and flow sensor. The controller must have automated leak shut-off capabilities, flow monitoring, alerts, and associated technology.
5. Unlisted/other water management and efficiency technology may qualify if it incorporates the following elements:
   1. Must be a piece of technology or part of a technological system that is designed to track or monitor water use for a specific piece of equipment or unit that is part of a commercial facility.
   2. Must incorporate a platform to view water consumption and usage alerts or the ability to tie into an existing building management or similar system as appropriate.

The rebate is a two-step process. A “Water Efficient Technology Application for Notice to Proceed (NtP)” form must be submitted prior to starting the project. Projects started before the first form has been submitted will be ineligible.

Apply for a Rebate 

Apply for Rebate Notice to Proceed Policy

Email completed applications to Water Conservation.

Applications are generally processed within 10 business days. Rebates will be processed in the order of which they are received. Funds are limited. Rebates will be processed until funds are depleted.