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Commercial & Facility Rebates

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Water Efficient Technology (WET) Rebate

The Water Efficient Technology (WET) Rebate Program is designed to help commercial, industrial, institutional facilities, and multi-family residential implement equipment changes that reduce facility water usage. 

Your facility may qualify for rebates up to $100,000 per conservation project.

Program Benefits

  • Get money to modernize your facility with the latest water-efficient technology
  • Save money on your water bill – and possibly your energy bill, too
  • Demonstrate that your business is a water conservation leader
  • Select from a wide variety of qualifying equipment

    WET Projects Map

    Check out this interactive story map to view examples of successfully completed WET projects! The map contains written descriptions of individual projects and highlights water savings, rebate amounts, and project costs. 

    Who Qualifies

    Business customers in Santa Clara County, including:

    • Commercial facility
    • Industrial facility
    • Institutional facility, which may include schools, parks, hospitals, and government agencies

    Find project inspirations in case studies from Sustainable Silicon Valley and WaterSense.

    Rebate Amount

    The maximum rebate is $100,000. 

    Rebates are based on measured water savings, and must save at least 100 CCF per year to be eligible for rebate (1 CCF = 748 gallons). The rebate amount is based on the lesser of either:

    • $4 per CCF saved annually or
    • up to 100% of the cost of the equipment (excluding taxes and labor)

    Morgan Hill sites

    Sites in Morgan Hill are eligible for an additional $4 per CCF ($8 per CCF total), up to a maximum of $10,000, for a total rebate cap of $110,000. This higher rebate amount is not available if the rebate is determined by the cost of equipment. 

    Rebate availability

    Rebates are available until June 30, 2023, or until funding is depleted.

    How to Apply

    Apply for a rebate by identifying a project that meets the eligibility requirements and then submitting your application.

     

    Step 1: Identify a project

    Projects must meet the following eligibility requirements:

    • Directly reduce water use by at least 74,800 gallons per year. 
    • Be able to be directly submetered thirty days before and after retrofit to document water savings. Expect 4 inspections: Two pre-inspections to measure water use on the old equipment, and two post-inspections to measure the new equipment's water use.
    • Equipment and projects have minimum life expectancy of five years. 
    • Equipment must be purchased, or leased with a minimum of five years. Qualifying equipment and installation receipts, lease agreements, or both must be provided after the Notice to Proceed (after project approval and equipment installation). 
    • Maintenance projects do not qualify 
    • Converting from potable to recycled water does not quality 
    • Projects must meet all applicable federal, state, local codes and regulations

    Qualifying equipment

    • Onsite water reuse
    • Treated wastewater used again at the facility
    • Untreated process water used for a different purpose
    • Cooling tower efficiency upgrades
    • Air-cooled chillers
    • Any other equipment that results in measurable water savings, including customized equipment

    Sample projects 

    • Onsite reclamation and reuse of rinse water 
    • Ozone laundry retrofits 
    • Water-saving ice machines 
    • Air-cooled chillers 
    • Cooling tower efficiency upgrades

    Step 2: Submit your application

    Download and print the application.

    Send the completed application to: 

    Commercial Rebate Program 
    Water Conservation Unit 
    5750 Almaden Expressway 
    Valley Water 
    San José, CA 95118

    Rebates from other agencies

    Commercial facilities may also be eligible for rebates from other agencies: 

    Video: Small Changes, Big Impact

    Learn about a rebate project that reclaimed and reused 97% of the facility’s water, saving 10 million gallons per year.

    Questions

    For more information about the WET rebate program, call (408) 630-2205 or email [email protected].