Rebates · 4 programs · we file all four
Four programs. We file the paperwork.
Tucson Water and Pima County both subsidize residential rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse — together up to about $2,400 in credits on a typical residential build. We file the rebates ourselves, at no charge to you, after the system passes inspection. The rebate is paid as a credit on your Tucson Water bill, not as a check; we mention this on the site walk because it sometimes surprises clients.
| Program | Cap | Eligibility | Form | Time to credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson Water Residential Rainwater Harvesting | $2,000 | Tucson Water residential customer · system ≥ 2,000 gal capacity | Online portal | 6–10 weeks |
| Tucson Water Greywater Rebate | $200 | Tucson Water residential customer · 2-hour WMG class | Online portal | 4–8 weeks |
| Tucson Water Storm-to-Shade Tree Credit | up to $200/tree, 4 trees | Tree planting paired with passive water harvesting | Online portal | 6–10 weeks |
| Pima County Type 1 Reclaimed Water filing | $0 (no fee) | Greywater under 400 gpd | County form | Filed at install |
How the math works on a typical 0.18-acre lot
The Tucson Water rainwater rebate pays $0.25 per gallon of installed cistern capacity above 2,000 gallons, capped at $2,000 (so 8,000 gallons total). A 3,000-gallon cistern qualifies for $750. The greywater rebate pays a flat $200 if the homeowner attends Watershed MG's free 2-hour Greywater Basics class first. The Storm-to-Shade tree credit is up to $200 per qualifying tree, up to 4 trees per property. The Type 1 reclaimed-water filing isn't a rebate; it's the AZ ADEQ permit that makes greywater legal in the first place, and the filing is free.
The HOA letter
About a third of our Catalina Foothills builds and a smaller fraction of mid-town builds run into HOA architectural-review-committee rules predating the current Arizona statute on residential rainwater harvesting. Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1806.01 preempts most HOA prohibitions on rainwater harvesting equipment that is "not visible from neighboring property or the public street." When an HOA cites a generic "no above-ground tanks" clause, the response is a four-page letter we send on your behalf, citing the statute, providing screening drawings, and offering to meet with the architectural review committee in person. We can email you the template (no fee) or send the full letter under our letterhead (no fee). It has worked every time we have sent it.
Sources
- Tucson Water · Water Rebates portal.
- Watershed Management Group · class schedule.
- Pima County · Gray Water Reuse program.
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1806.01 · HOA prohibition preemption for rainwater harvesting equipment.
- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
- Greywater Action · Arizona regulations.