Residential Rebate Program

Each qualifying household is eligible to receive up to $250 towards the cost of a qualifying EPA WaterSense weather-based irrigation smart controller.

Total rebate amount is limited to the total purchase price of the qualifying controller (excluding taxes, shipping, and installation costs). Rebate will be issued as a bill credit to the water account owner and applied towards any subsequent utility bills. Refunds will not be issued for any resulting credit. Bill credits may take up to two bill cycles to appear.

If a communication cartridge or on-site sensor is required in order for the controller to meet EPA WaterSense requirements and is purchased at the same time as the controller, the cartridge or sensor may be included in the calculation of the total cost of the controller for the rebate.

To be eligible for a rebate, the smart controller must be:

• On the EPA WaterSense list for weather-based smart controllers
  
  
• Purchased after September 26, 2022 

Residential Rebate Program Eligibility 

• Smart controller must be on the EPA WaterSense list for weather-based smart controllers and purchased after September 26, 2022.
  
  
• Must be a Gilbert water customer with an active water account in good standing and/or not eligible for disconnect.
  
  
• Must have an active, functioning, and automated landscape irrigation system with a standard irrigation controller
  
  
• The new qualifying controller must have the ability to receive or extend Wi-Fi to the controller location or must have: 
  
  
  
  1. A connected on-site sensor, OR
     
     
  2. An activated communications cartridge, in order to operate new controller in smart mode.
     
     
• All qualifying controllers must be installed in order to receive rebate.

Residential Rebate Program Rules

• Only one smart controller rebate is allowed per household. Rebate value will be issued as a bill credit to Gilbert water account owner.
  
  
• Proof of purchase and installation of the smart controller is required when submitting application.
  
  
• Customer must submit the application for the rebate within 120 days of purchase of smart controller.
  
  
• All pieces of the qualifying controller must be in new condition and not reconditioned or refurbished or bought second hand.
  
  
• Controllers should be operated in smart mode in order to achieve maximum water savings. Customer is responsible for all operating costs of the controller, including any communication costs.
  
  
• Gilbert Water Conservation will track water consumption of program participants to analyze water conservation savings associated with our program. All customer information will be kept anonymous and data will be aggregated before sharing.
  
  
• A limited amount of rebate funds are available each year. Applications will be processed in the order they are received for as long as rebate funds are available. Program rules may change at any time.
  
  
• Please note: Any individual or organization that receives $600 or more in total rebate value from Gilbert, in any calendar year, will be required to provide a completed W9 form to the Town of Gilbert in order to process rebate payment. If a W9 is required, Gilbert will reach out to you to collect this form prior to approving rebate.

Non-Residential Program Overview

Each qualifying site is eligible to receive up to $400 (based on total stations) towards the cost of a qualifying US EPA WaterSense weather-based irrigation smart controller.

Total rebate amount is limited to the total purchase price of the qualifying controller (excluding taxes, shipping, and installation costs). Rebate will be issued as a bill credit to the water account owner and applied towards any subsequent utility bills. Refunds will not be issued for any resulting credit. Bill credits may take up to two bill cycles to appear.

If a communication cartridge or on-site sensor is required in order for the controller to meet EPA WaterSense requirements and is purchased at the same time as the controller, the cartridge or sensor may be included in the calculation of the total cost of the controller for the rebate.

Total rebate amount is based on the number of stations of the eligible controller (excluding taxes and installation costs):

• 1-12 station controllers: up to $250 per controller
  
  
• 13-16 stations: up to $350 per controller
  
  
• 17 stations or more: up to $400 per controller

 To be eligible for a rebate, the smart controller must be:

• On the EPA WaterSense list for weather-based smart controllers
  
  

• Purchased after September 26, 2022

  

Need help verifying that your controller meets these requirements? Contact us at (480) 503-6098 or water.conservation@gilbertaz.gov.

Non-Residential Rebate Program Eligibility 

• Smart controller must be on the EPA WaterSense list for weather-based smart controllers and purchased after September 26, 2022.
  
  
• Must be a Gilbert water customer with an active water account in good standing.

• Must have an active, functioning, and automated landscape irrigation system with a standard irrigation controller.
  
  
• The new qualifying controller must have the ability to receive or extend Wi-Fi to the controller location or must have: 
  
  
  
  1. A connected on-site sensor, OR
     
     
  2. An activated communications cartridge, in order to operate new controller in smart mode.

• All qualifying controllers must be installed in order to receive rebate.

Non-Residential Rebate Program Rules

• Up to two smart controller rebates are allowed per organization, per site. Rebate value will be issued as a bill credit to Gilbert water account owner. Organization means one operating entity per location. For example, a business may be eligible for up to two rebates at each distinct operating site. A property management company may manage multiple property sites and each separate property site would be eligible for up two rebates.
  
  
• As part of the rebate process, each organization must have a free Water Efficiency Checkup with a Gilbert Water Conservation Specialist before the rebate can be approved. Once you submit your rebate application, a Specialist will reach out to you to schedule.
  
  
• Proof of purchase and installation of the smart controller is required when submitting application.
  
  
• Customer must submit the application for the rebate within 120 days of purchase of smart controller.
  
  
• All pieces of the qualifying controller must be in new condition and not reconditioned or refurbished or bought second hand.
  
  
• Controllers should be operated in smart mode in order to achieve maximum water savings. Customer is responsible for all operating costs of the controller, including any communication costs.
  
  
• Gilbert Water Conservation will track water consumption of program participants to analyze water conservation savings associated with our program. All customer information will be kept anonymous and data will be aggregated before being shared.
  
  
• A limited amount of rebate funds are available each year. Applications will be processed in the order they are received for as long as rebate funds are available. Program rules may change at any time.
  
  
• Please note: Any individual or organization that receives $600 or more in total rebate value from Gilbert, in any calendar year, will be required to provide a completed W9 form to the Town of Gilbert in order to process rebate payment. If a W9 is required, Gilbert will reach out to you to collect this form prior to approving rebate.

How do Smart Controllers Save Water?

In Gilbert, we have seen cost-effective water savings successfully achieved in our community through the installation of smart irrigation controllers. Smart controllers automatically adjust watering schedules based on the weather which can save you time and money. By making adjustments based on the weather, your controller minimizes overwatering and gives your plants and grass exactly the amount of water they need.

Smart controllers run based on customized inputs that calibrate the controller to your specific landscape and irrigation system; then by connecting to Wi-Fi or, on-site sensor or communication cartridge, the controller receives weather data and waters your plants and grass accordingly. You no longer have to worry about making seasonal adjustments or scheduling rain delays. More importantly, smart irrigation controllers can help you be water wise!

In order to maximize the savings potential of a smart controller, there are two key things to remember:

1. Smart controllers need to be operated in smart mode in order to utilize weather data. This means proper programming and a Wi-Fi connection or on-site sensor are essential to the efficacy of the smart controller. Learn how to make sure your controller is properly programed in smart mode to ensure a healthy landscape.
   
   
2. Smart controllers can’t fix irrigation system issues. Before you install your new controller, you should check for and fix any current leaks. We can help you check your irrigation system.

Learn more about how you can replace your current standard irrigation controller with a smart, weather-based irrigation controller.

Need help verifying that your controller meets the program requirements?

Contact us at (480) 503-6098 or water.conservation@gilbertaz.gov.