Convert your spray irrigation to drip and receive up to $20 per every 100 square feet of area converted to drip. Conversion to drip is estimated to save a typical home landscaping about 9 gallons per square foot per year or roughly 4,500 gallons per year for a 500 square foot landscape.   This rebate program is available for residences and businesses. A pre-conversion survey is required. Call 831 475-8501 ext. 146 to schedule a site survey or e-mail roys@soquelcreekwater.org.

What are the program requirements?  

• Must properly convert existing spray irrigation to drip irrigation. Micro-spray devices may be used where appropriate.

• Spray irrigation must be in working condition, prior to conversion.

• Pre and post site inspection by a District water conservation specialist (e-mail roys@soquelcreekwater.org to setup an appointment).

• Must convert at least 100 square feet of landscape from spray to drip.

• Complete rebate application (contains additional requirements) with attached original receipts of materials and related contractor invoice (see below for contractor's qualifications)

• Post inspection is required if work was not performed by a certified contractor with The Irrigation Association, California Landscape Contractors Association or the Green Gardner Program. Please provide contractor's license number on rebate form.

• Must turn in application and original receipt within 90 days of completion.

• To get started call 831 475-8500 or email roys@soquelcreekwater.org

How do I apply for the rebate? It is easy! - follow these 4 steps:

1. Contact the Water Conservation Specialist (831 475-8500 or e-mail roys@soquelcreekwater.org before you begin work to schedule a pre-installation inspection.

2. Complete rebate application. (click here to open the PDF app.) and mail to the Soquel Creek Water District with original sales receipts for irrigation parts and contractor labor. (Yes, this rebate includes contractor labor!)

3. Schedule a post-installation inspection. 831-475-8500 or e-mail roys@soquelcreekwater.org

4. Allow at least one billing cycle to receive approved credit on your water bill.

How much credit will I receive?

Rebate is up to $20 per 100 square feet of landscape converted to drip.  Amount credited will not exceed cost of conversion project.  For area greater than 100 square feet, the amount will be prorated based on square footage (example a converted 250 square foot area would receive a $50 rebate). The rebate amount will be credited to your water account after successful completion of the post survey inspection. The rebate will not be provided unless the conversion is done properly. Funding for rebate credit is limited and will be available until funds are depleted. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, provided the application meets all qualifying criteria. There is no implied or expressed guarantee that funding will be available at the time the application is processed.

Who can do the conversion work?

For maximum water use efficiency, we recommend the drip irrigation system be designed and installed by a contractor holding a certification from one of the following organizations:  (1) California Landscape Contractors Association, (2) The Irrigation Association, or (3) The Santa Cruz County Green Gardener Program. If the retrofitting  is performed by a homeowner or a landscaper not belonging to one of the organizations listed above, then the homeowner or business applying for the rebate must allow District staff to perform a free water conservation survey (indoors and outside) before and after the work is performed.

Why Drip?

Drip irrigation systems are fast catching on as a far more efficient method of irrigating lawns and gardens. Water is delivered slowly and directly to the roots of the plants and lawn via a hose which is literally full of tiny holes. An intermediate alternative involves using mini-sprinklers and small, fine mist sprayers to increase the humidity around plants which require it.

There are a number of distinct advantages of drip irrigation versus spray irrigation systems, particularly in areas where water conservation is an important issue.

Because drip irrigation systems deliver moisture directly to the roots of plants, there is far less water lost to evaporation and wind drift than with traditional spray irrigation systems, and there is no risk of accidentally watering roads, driveways and pathways.

Also, when water is delivered slowly and steadily to the plants, there is less tendency to over water, less wastage due to water runoff, and less risk of plant disease developing as a result of excess water pooling in the soil and collecting in garden mulch.

Spray irrigation systems which use mini-sprinklers and fine mist spray devices are very effective for creating a moist environment around a larger area, and are more water efficient than conventional spray irrigation systems with jet sprinklers.

(excerpt from Learn about garden irrigation.)