Conserve Water, Receive Rebates

Recently, after completing financial planning, a public hearing and a workshop, the Prescott City Council approved new water and wastewater rates, set to take effect July 1, 2024. These rates will increase gradually over the next five years, to provide for infrastructure operation and maintenance costs, and ensure funding for replacement or refurbishment of aging water systems. One way to save money on your water bill and conserve water is to install water saving devices. The good news is that you may even be able to receive rebates for some of these devices!

Since 2006, the city has offered our water customers a rebate program to encourage water conservation. There are many rebates for home and business owners who upgrade their appliances and fixtures to high efficiency models. Rebates are also available to reduce outdoor water use, such as rainwater harvesting systems, turf removal and smart irrigation timers. I would like to make our customers aware of these rebates in hopes that more will take advantage of the existing rebate program.

If you are planning to upgrade your home or business with new appliances and fixtures, there are efficient products such as low‐flow toilets, ultra-efficient washing machines and rainwater harvesting systems. These great water conservation rebate opportunities are available to all City of Prescott water customers. Here are some examples of the rebates.

Toilet Rebate

If you replace a toilet with a 1 gallon per flush or less model, you can receive a $150 rebate. Install a 1.0/1.28 dual flush toilet and receive a rebate of $125. A 1.28 gallons per flush toilet will qualify for a rebate of $100. If you are a septic user, you will receive an additional $50 for installing any of these high efficiency models.   

Rainwater Cistern Rebate

Customers who incorporate a rainwater harvesting system can save money and limit use of the municipal water supply. If you install an active rainwater harvesting system, you can receive a water conservation rebate of 50 cents to $1 per gallon of storage, depending on the capacity of your system. There is a maximum rebate of $500.

Turf Removal

Are you thinking about converting your irrigated turf grass to low-water use/drought tolerant landscaping? The city provides a rebate of $1 per square foot of turf removed. For additional details, please contact the city’s Public Works Department.

Smart Irrigation Timer

If you install a WaterSense labelled Smart Irrigation Timer, you can receive a $75 rebate.

Hot Water Recirculation Systems

If you install a hot water recirculation system, you can receive a $150 rebate.

Commercial Urinals

The replacement fixture must be an EPA approved alternative flushless design, flush once at a specified interval or 0.125 gallons per flush to be eligible to receive a $100 rebate.

Ultra-Efficient Washing Machine Rebate

If you replace a washing machine with an ultra-high efficiency model on the Consortium of Energy Efficiency (CEE) washing machine list, you will receive a $200 rebate on your utility bill. If you are a septic user, you will receive an additional $50. Here is the link to the CEE washing machine list:    https://prescottwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2.14.2024-CEE-List-Updated.pdf

These rebates are available to all City of Prescott water customers. Be sure to keep all receipts and visit www.PrescottWater.com for rules and guidelines. For more information or questions, call Public Works at 928-777-1130.

The city is doing its part to enact a sensible water policy so that we can manage growth and responsible water use for years to come. As citizens, it is up to all of us to conserve our precious water resource. QCBN

By Phil Goode

Phil Goode is the mayor of Prescott.