Water Conservation Rebate Programs

Manatee County rebate programs are designed to reduce the amount of drinking water drawn from Manatee County Utilities Department and used for flushing toilets and landscape irrigation by offering financial incentives.

The County offers two types of rebates: indoor water conservation (toilet replacement rebate) and outdoor water conservation, which includes rebates for wells, landscaping, irrigation systems and more, including a free evaluation on your landscaping and irrigation system.

Indoor Water (Toilet) Conservation Rebate Program

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for a rebate of up to $100 per toilet (limit 2 toilets per property) if you:

  • Are replacing a toilet that was installed PRIOR to 1995 (3.5 gallons per flush or higher)
  • Replace your old 3.5 or higher gpf toilet with a new 1.28 gpf HET (high efficiency toilet) or less
  • Receive your water directly from Manatee County or from the Cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach
  • Do NOT dispose of your old toilet until application is verified and processed
  • To confirm eligibility, email [email protected], or call 941-792-8811 ext. 5327

How do I apply for a toilet rebate?

Single-family, multi-family or commercial customers may apply online or by downloading the printable application and emailing it to [email protected], or mailing it to Toilet Rebate Program, Water Conservation, 4520 66th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34210.

All toilets for which rebates are applied must be available to be verified by an on-site inspection that a new high efficiency toilet (HET) of 1.28 gpf (gallons per flush) or less toilet has been installed and is replacing a 3.5 gpf or greater toilet. You must retain the old toilet until your application is approved for payment to qualify. 

Do not dispose of the old toilet prior to verification. Disposing of your old toilet tank & lid prior to verification can result in denial for the toilet rebate. 

Free curbside pickup of the old high-flow toilet is available when placed curbside on your normal garbage day after your application has been approved for payment.

This program is cooperatively funded by Manatee County and SWFWMD. For more information on the toilet rebate program, call Manatee County Water Conservation at (941) 792-8811 ext. 5327.

Outdoor Water Conservation Rebate Program

Manatee County offers rebate incentives to help property owners reduce water usage and save money on water bills through water conservation. Combine rebates for up to $1,250 per property (one rebate application per property).

Who is eligible?  

  • Home and business owners with in-ground irrigation systems receiving their water from Manatee County Utilities Department for irrigation may be eligible.
  • Eligibility for financial incentives is limited to customers whose property had an average water use exceeding 8,500 gallons per month in any six-month period prior to March 2003.
  • Property must have a current certified approved backflow assembly and no cross connection on the property. A working rain sensor is also required, but may be included in the rebate program if the property does not have a working rain sensor.

How do I apply for an outdoor rebate?

  • Pre-approval of projects by Water Conservation staff is required
  • Pre-qualify your property for rebate by submitting an online application, calling (941) 792-8811 ext. 5327 or emailing [email protected].

Eligible Outdoor Water Conservation Rebates

Cistern

  • Rebate 50% of documented cost up to $500
  • Minimum storage capacity of 2,500 gallons
  • Store air conditioner condensation, pool overflow, water table collection, rainwater, etc.
  • For use in place of potable water for irrigation

Alternative Water Source

  • Rebate 50% of documented cost up to $500
  • Install pump and equipment to draw irrigation from a lake, stormwater retention/detention area or other natural storage area
  • For use in place of potable water for irrigation
  • An evaluation by the Extension Service is required prior to rebate reimbursement

Irrigation Well

  • Rebate 50% of documented cost up to $1,000
  • Install new well or repair existing inoperative well
  • An evaluation by the Extension Service is required following installation

Community Well

  • Rebate 50% of documented cost up to $1,000 per customer or up to $10,000 per well
  • Install new well or repair existing inoperative well for multiple users on one well
  • Two or more qualified users on one well
  • An evaluation by the Extension Service is required following installation

Rain Sensor Irrigation Shut-Off Device

  • Rebate 100% of documented cost up to $125
  • Device must affect the entire irrigation system (not just a zone)
  • Must be installed and operational
  • An evaluation by the Extension Service is required following installation

SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR OR EVAPO-TRANSPIRATION BASED IRRIGATION CONTROL

  • Rebate 100% of documented cost up to $250 for either device (not both)
  • Device must affect the entire irrigation system (not just a zone)
  • Must be installed and operational
  • An evaluation by the Extension Service is required following installation

LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPAIR OR RETROFIT

  • Rebate 50% of documented cost up to $500
  • Irrigation/landscape evaluation by Extension Service (a) before work, (b) immediately after work is completed, and (c) 12 months after completion
  • Attend one educational workshop given by Manatee County Extension Service (Landscape Irrigation)
  • Complete recommended repairs for leaks, broken parts, etc. including:
    • Separate irrigation zones for turf and landscape bed zones
    • Install low-volume irrigation in landscape bed zones
    • Have a properly-installed and operational rain sensor irrigation shut-off device

LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPLACEMENT (REPLACE HALF OR MORE OF EXISTING IRRIGATION ZONES)

  • Rebate 50% of documented cost up to $1,000
  • Irrigation/landscape evaluation by Extension Service (a) before work, (b) immediately after work is completed, and (c) 12 months after completion
  • Attend one educational workshop given by Manatee County Extension Service (Landscape Irrigation)
  • Complete recommended repairs for leaks, broken parts, etc. including:
    • Separate irrigation zones for turf and landscape bed zones
    • Install low-volume irrigation in landscape bed zones
    • Have a properly-installed and operational rain sensor irrigation shut-off device

LANDSCAPE RETROFIT (REPLACE HALF OR MORE OF EXISTING IRRIGATION ZONES)

  • Rebate 50% of documented cost up to $1,000 (No more than $100 of rebate may be used to pay for plans from a licensed landscape architect or a certified landscape designer)
  • Irrigation/landscape evaluation by Extension Service (a) before work, (b) immediately after work is completed, and (c) 12 months after completion
  • Attend two educational workshops given by Manatee County Extension Service (Landscape Irrigation and Florida Landscaping)
  • Implement all landscape recommendations from initial evaluation in accordance with approved plans
  • Repair or retrofit irrigation system
  • Have a properly-installed and operational rain sensor irrigation shut-off device

Adopt Florida Friendly landscape principles into your yard and create a beautiful, lush landscape without grass.  Plant grass only where it is used, and plant water-efficient trees, shrubs and plants where it is never used.  Upgrading grass to xeriscape saves water, reduces maintenance time and increases beauty and diversity in your landscape. 

You could receive a rebate up to $1,000 for plant material and design with receipts.  You may design your own landscape or use a professional designer. Approval of designs by the Manatee County Extension Service will be required. To receive this rebate, you also must attend educational workshops provided by the Manatee County Extension Service. Visit the Florida Friendly Landscape website for more information.