Rain Barrels and Cisterns

Rain barrels allow you to capture the rain that falls onto your roof and reuse it later to water your garden. Plants and microbes prefer rainwater because it is naturally “soft” and free of chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals. Rain barrels can help reduce ocean water pollution by preventing rain from carrying fertilizers, pet waste, and harmful debris from your property out into the ocean.

Residential Rebate Level: $35 per rain barrel or $250 to start per cistern.

Residential Rebate Application:

Residential Rebate Application

(Rebates are not available for Commercial properties. See below for rebate guidelines.)

Rain Barrel Rebate Guidelines:

• Minimum size: 50 gallons
• Rain barrel must be designed for the intended purpose of rain capture
• Should have a cover to prevent mosquitoes, rodents and debris from entering
• The rain barrel must be mounted in a way that allows the barrel to receive water unimpeded from a rain gutter
• Should not block or restrict access to walkways or pathways
• Rain barrel must not be connected to the irrigation system and must be distributed through a hose or bucket
• Should be elevated 6 inches off the ground on a solid foundation
• Should be strapped to your home for safety if the height of the barrel is two times greater than the width
• Maximum of two rain barrels per home

Download a Tip Sheet on Maintaining your Rain Barrel

Cistern Rebate Guidelines:

• Property must have existing gutters throughout the entire perimeter of the roof for adequate water collection and also existing downspouts
• Cistern must be constructed out of hard, rigid plastic and must continuously hold its shape (collapsible/flexible/soft-sided cisterns are not allowed)
• Must have a capacity of at least 200 gallons/757 liters
• Can be either above ground or underground
• Should not block or restrict access to walkways or pathways
• Homemade cisterns do not qualify for rebates
• Must have a cover to prevent mosquitoes, rodents and debris from entering
• Must have an overflow spigot with mosquito netting or other prevention form
• The cistern must be mounted in a way that allows the cistern to receive all water unimpeded from a downspout
• Should be elevated 6 inches off the ground on a solid foundation
• Should be strapped to you home for safety if the height of the cistern is two times greater than the width
• Cisterns must be purchased as an entire unit
• Maximum of one cistern is allowed per home