Rain Barrel and Cistern Rebate
Explore our rebates that lower the cost of a cistern or rain barrel for your home or business, enabling you to harness the bounty of rain we receive in our city.
Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting and using rainwater from hard surfaces such as roofs for landscape irrigation or toilet flushing. A rainwater harvesting system can be as simple as using a rain barrel or installing a large cistern. Capturing rainwater at your home or business reduces drinking water otherwise needed for irrigation and helps reduce runoff from entering our combined sewer system during storm events.
Rebate Program Details
SFPUC customers can qualify to receive a rebate of up to $100 for each rain barrel purchased and installed, maximum of two (2) rain barrels allowed or up to $350 for the purchase and installation of one (1) cistern with a holding capacity between 205 and 5,000 gallons. Potential applicants should read the SFPUC’s Rainwater Harvesting Manual, FAQs and other resource materials linked at the bottom of this page before buying and installing rain barrels or cisterns.
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Eligibility Requirements
- The applicant must have an active SFPUC water service account or obtain approval by the account holder (the water account number for the installation site is required to apply) for the property where the rain barrel or cistern is installed.
- The property is located in San Francisco.
- If the water account holder does not own the property, a Property Owner Approval Form signed by the property owner is required.
- Properties that previously received a discounted rain barrel or cistern through the SFPUC Rainwater Harvesting Program within the last 5 years, please contact waterconservation@sfwater.org or call (415) 551-4730 prior to submitting an application.
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Eligible Rain Barrel Parameters
- Minimum 50-gallon rain barrel capacity
- Must be connected to a downspout, rain chain, or other secure and safe means of collecting rainwater from rooftops
- Must have a mosquito-proof screen with mesh less than 1 millimeter in size covering the top of the rain barrel or a tight-fitting impervious lid
- Must be equipped with a downspout diverter kit or an overflow outlet pipe that is directed toward an approved drainage location
- Cannot be a portable or collapsible device (e.g., garbage bin or soft-sided container)
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Eligible Cistern Parameters
- Must be an above-ground cistern
- Must be connected to a downspout, rain chain, or other secure and safe means of collecting rainwater from rooftops
- Storage capacity between 205 – 5,000 gallons for cisterns that do not require a licensed engineer and DBI permit
- Installed per the manufacturer’s specifications
- Cisterns over 5,000 gallons must be installed over a concrete pad or compacted gravel foundation
- Height to weight ratio is less than 2-to-1
- Cistern is supported directly on grade
- Install a debris excluder or first-flush diverter on downspout (CA Plumbing Code Requirement)
- Affix required warning label that water contained in the cistern is non-potable
NOTE: Cisterns over 5,000 gallons in size require a licensed civil engineer to design the foundation and seismic support. A permit from the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection is also required for cisterns of this size. The SFPUC’s rebate only applies to cisterns under 5,000 gallons.
How to Participate
Review these steps, take the required training, and make sure you have compiled the documentation required to get a rebate before you apply.
- Review the SFPUC’s resource materials.
The Rainwater Harvesting Manual, FAQs and other materials linked under the Resource section below provide detailed information on how and where to install rain barrels and cisterns.
- Review the program rules and required documentation.
- Purchase your rain barrels (s) or cistern and save receipts.
Save the receipt (s) that shows what you paid for the rain barrel(s) or cistern.
- Install and photograph your device(s).
Take two photos of your installed rain barrel(s) or cistern, including a photo of the downspout. If your photos aren’t sufficient, we may require a site visit to confirm your rain barrels(s) or cistern is installed and functioning properly.
- Apply online for your rebate.
♦ If you haven’t applied for any previous SFPUC conservation assistance, you’ll be prompted first to register for our application portal you’ll need your SFPUC water account number (available on a bill) to register
♦ Once you have registered for the Online Application Portal, select APPLY NOW under the Rainwater Rebate Icon and complete the application process. Online Application Portal
♦ Complete, sign and email or mail a W-9 form to the City Controller's Office at the address provided in the application. For questions about this rebate program and the steps involved please email waterconservation@sfwater.org or call (415) 551-4730.