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Landscape Rebates and Free Programs
Are you looking for more ways to save water? The solution could be right outside your door!
The City of Milpitas and Valley Water have come together to offer resources and rebates to help residents and businesses save water. Check out our resources and incentives below to find out which option is best for you!
Please note that rebate application submittal and approval is required before purchasing any equipment or starting any work. Apply for a rebate today before funds run out!
Landscape Rebates
Save money and water by signing up for the Landscape Rebate Program! Incentives are available for completing landscape conversion projects, replacing old irrigation equipment and more! To learn more about the rebate program, visit the Landscape Rebate Program application portal, or call (408) 630-2554.
| Rebate Category | Description | Rebate Amount |
| Landscape Conversion | Convert your turf or pool into a drought tolerant landscape comprised of water-wise and native plants and permeable landscape materials. | $4.00 per square foot for the first 1,000 square feet and $2.00 per square foot thereafter |
| Irrigation Equipment Upgrade | Upgrade to high-efficiency irrigation equipment, including: drip irrigation, high-efficiency nozzles, rotary sprinklers with pressure regulators, weather based irrigation controllers, rain sensors, dedicated landscape meters and more. | Rebate varies by equipment type. |
| Rain Barrel (40-199 gal.) | Install a rain barrel to harvest rainwater for later use. | Up to $70 per barrel |
| Cistern (200 gal min.) | Install a cistern to harvest rainwater for later use. | $1.00 per gallon |
| Rain Garden | Convert your lawn to a rain garden to recharge our groundwater supply, reduce water pollution, and more. | $2.00/sqft (up to $600) |
| Laundry-to-Landscape Graywater System | Install a graywater system to divert your laundry water to be reused in your garden | Up to $400 |
Lawn Bust Milpitas Pilot Program
You don’t have to convert your landscape all by yourself! Milpitas and Our City Forest have come together to form the Lawn Bust Milpitas Pilot Program to offer direct installation landscape conversion services. Through Lawn Bust Milpitas, you’ll receive assistance with planning and installing your new drought tolerant landscape! Visit Our City Forest's Lawn Bust Milpitas page to learn more and apply for the program here Lawn Bust Milpitas Pilot Program Lawn Bust Milpitas Pilot Program Lawn Bust Milpitas Pilot Program Lawn Bust Milpitas Pilot Program Lawn Bust Milpitas Pilot Program.
The pilot program is open on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a limited number of spaces available. Sign up today!
Free Water Saving Devices
Valley Water offers free water conservation devices to Santa Clara County residents and businesses to help you save water! Visit their Online Shopping Cart to place an order and have it delivered to your home, free of charge!
Limited quantities of free-water savings devices are also available to pick up at the Milpitas Public Works Department building. If you are interested in picking up supplies, please call the Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 586-2666 or e-mail water@milpitas.gov for more information.
Water Wise Outdoor Surveys
Help to conserve water use outdoors by consulting an irrigation specialist!
During this free outdoor irrigation survey offered to single family and small multi-family sites (under ½ acre) in Santa Clara County, a trained irrigation professional will complete a comprehensive evaluation of your irrigator system. During the survey, the technician will:
- Evaluate the efficiency of your irrigation system, noting and flagging problems
- Provide you with a personalized irrigation schedule, if appropriate
- Make recommendations for repairs, replacements, and upgrades
- Send you a detailed written report after the survey is complete
- Pre-inspect the site for the Landscape Rebate Program, if applicable
To schedule an inspection, please call the Valley Water's Conservation Hotline at (408) 630-2554 or visit the Water Wise Outdoor Survey page.
Landscape Rebates
Through the Landscape Rebate Program, you could get money back for completing a landscape conversion, retrofitting old and inefficient irrigation equipment, or even install water-saving equipment such as rain barrels and cisterns. Visit the Valley Water Landscape Rebate Program Portal to learn more or start your application.
| Rebate Category | Description | Rebate Amount |
| Landscape Conversion | Convert your turf or pool into a drought tolerant landscape comprised of water-wise and native plants and permeable landscape materials. | $2.00 per square foot |
| Large Landscape Lawn to Mulch | Convert your water intensive ornamental lawn by replacing it with mulch. | $1.00 per square foot |
| Irrigation Equipment Upgrade | Upgrade to high-efficiency irrigation equipment, including: drip irrigation, high-efficiency nozzles, rotary sprinklers with pressure regulators, weather based irrigation controllers, rain sensors, dedicated landscape meters and more. | Rebate varies by equipment type. |
| Rain Barrel (40-199 gal.) | Install a rain barrel to harvest rainwater for later use. | Up to $35 per barrel |
| Cistern (200 gal min.) | Install a cistern to harvest rainwater for later use. | $0.50 per gallon |
| Rain Garden | Convert your lawn to a rain garden to recharge our groundwater supply, reduce water pollution, and more. | $1.00/sqft (up to $300) |
Submeter Rebates
Mobile home parks, home owner associations, apartment and condominium complexes in Santa Clara County can receive up to $150 per installed water submeter for changing from a master water meter to individual water submeters. For more information about this rebate program, please call (408) 630-2205 or visit the Submeter Rebate Program page.
Water Efficient Technology Program
Commercial rebates are available for qualifying facilities in Santa Clara County that replace or update equipment which results in a measurable water reduction. The rebate is currently $4 per 100 cubic feet of water saved per year, or 50 percent of the project cost, whichever is less. For more information about this program, please call (408) 630-2205 or visit the Commercial & Facility Rebate Program page.
Large Landscape Survey Program
All commercial, industrial and institutional (CII) sites as well as multi-family complexes in Santa Clara County with a minimum of ½ acre of irrigated landscape or more and/or 1,000 CCF of annual irrigation water usage may be eligible for a complimentary landscape field survey. To find out if your CII or multi-family sites are eligible, please visit here.
What are the components of a landscape field survey?
- System Check: A professional will evaluate the water delivery system and point out inefficiencies that can add up to significant water losses.
- Site Specific Recommendations and Irrigation Budget: Surveyors provide recommendations for improving system efficiency such as upgrading irrigation hardware and/or providing the site with a calculated irrigation budget based on climate, irrigation system components, and vegetation.
- Landscape Field Survey Report: The site’s property manager/owner will receive a landscape field survey report that evaluates the existing irrigation system and landscape water management. The report also includes a summary of the irrigation system check and irrigation efficiency improvement recommendations. A calculated irrigation budget may also be provided.
Find more information and apply for the Landscape Survey Program here.