What happened
Tucson Water has updated its rainwater harvesting rebate for single-family homes and small businesses. The city lists several changes as of July 2026:
- The top rebate for a catchment system dropped slightly, from $2,000 to $1,900.
- A new “Treebate” adds up to $99 for planting qualifying drought-tolerant trees: $50 for one tree, $99 for two.
- Together, the maximum per property is now $1,999.
- Applicants must now include “before” photos of the area and some new items on their site plan, and the water they collect must go to a beneficial use.
The rebate still pays by the gallon of storage. Systems that catch roof runoff earn $1.00 per gallon if they hold enough for a 1-inch rain, or $0.50 per gallon if they hold less. Indirect runoff systems pay $0.50 per gallon, and street-side basins pay $1.00 or $0.50 per gallon depending on whether they show stormwater diversion. Customers must take a qualifying workshop with Watershed Management Group first, get the design approved (the city estimates 2 to 4 weeks), and install within a year. The city notes that funding is limited.
What this means for your pool
A pool is often the center of a bigger backyard project, and that is a good time to think about the whole yard’s water use.
- Plan the yard and the pool together. If you are adding a pool, you are likely redoing the landscape around it anyway. That is the easiest time to add rain basins, a cistern or swales to water trees and plants.
- Keep runoff away from the pool. Good harvesting and grading send rain to plants instead of across the deck. That means less mud and debris in the pool after monsoon storms.
- Trees for shade, placed with care. Shade helps people and cuts evaporation, but trees that drop leaves next to the water add cleaning. We place trees where they shade the patio or seating without filling the skimmer.
- Pair it with low-water landscaping. Desert plants, drip irrigation or synthetic turf can lower your yard’s water use as rates keep rising.
What we’re doing
Along with custom pools, we install turf, landscaping and irrigation, so the pool and the yard around it can be planned as one project. Rebate rules and funding change, so check Tucson Water’s page for the current details before you build. Our Tucson pool permits guide and pool cost guide are good next reads, or call us at (520) 342-8335.
Source: City of Tucson (Tucson Water)
Put this story to work
Planning your own project? See our Pool Landscaping, Turf & Irrigation in Tucson.
Questions pool owners are asking
How much is the Tucson Water rainwater harvesting rebate now?
As of July 2026, the maximum is $1,999 per property: up to $1,900 for system storage and up to $99 through the new Treebate for qualifying drought-tolerant trees. Funding is limited, and applying does not guarantee a rebate.
Who qualifies for the rainwater harvesting rebate?
Single-family residential customers with active Tucson Water service and small businesses with 5/8-inch meters may qualify. You must take a qualifying workshop with Watershed Management Group and get your design approved before installing.
Can I use harvested rainwater to fill my pool?
The rebate is meant for landscape use, and Tucson Water now requires a beneficial use plan for the harvested water. Check the program rules before planning any other use, and talk with your pool builder about water quality before adding any untreated water to a pool.
This is our summary and commentary. Read the original story at City of Tucson (Tucson Water).