Shallow Wells for Outdoor Irrigation

Get rebates for making Water Wise choices.

Up to $1,000 rebate available.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, residential outdoor water use in this country requires more than 9 billion gallons of water each day. In order to conserve potable water while reducing costs to the consumer, Tampa Bay Water Wise is offering rebates to homeowners designated as deficit or excessive irrigators for the installation of a shallow well to replace potable water irrigation. Shallow wells provide non-potable water. Non-potable water cannot be used for drinking or for inside household uses, it can only be used for watering plants outside.

Eligible deficit or excessive irrigators, as determined by Tampa Bay Water Wise, will be able to reduce the use of potable water by using the water from the newly installed shallow well to irrigate their properties. To ensure proper installation, applicants must work with a licensed contractor who is certified by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (a list of these contractors can be found here). For more information regarding the rules, restrictions, and requirements, please review the Frequently Asked Questions section below, and the program’s Terms and Conditions.

General Requirements

  • Applicant must be an existing potable water utility customer of the city of Tampa, city of St. Petersburg, city of New Port Richey, Pinellas County, Pasco County or Hillsborough County.
  • Single-family detached homes must be at least 2 years old.
  • Homes with reclaimed water access, active use of reclaimed water, or have previously had soil moisture sensors installed will not be eligible.
  • Homes identified by Tampa Bay Water Wise will be eligible to receive a rebate. Exclusions may apply based on various factors. To confirm eligibility, please select the button “estimate your rebate” or “apply for a rebate”.
  • Applications must be submitted within 90 days of purchase/installation.
  • Installations must be completed by a qualified company (licensed contractor certified by the Southwest Florida Water Management District for well installations). For a list of qualified contractors, click here
  • The licensed well driller must obtain a Southwest Florida Water Management District permit for shallow well installation, an installation invoice clearly identifying the project components, price, date of installation and payment, and an as-built of the well installation.
  • Applicants must agree to potential ongoing monitoring when participating in the program.
  • All applicable ordinances that require the use of backflow prevention devices must be met.
  • Residents of Hillsborough County are subject to additional requirements, which are listed in the customer agreement.
  • Applicant agrees to Customer Agreement (see below)

Documentation Requirements

  • A purchase receipt or invoice is required for each item rebated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an “As-Built”?

An “As-Built” is a planning and implementation document developed by the installing contractor that maps where your shallow well will be located and the steps taken to complete the installation according to requirements and local ordinances. Your contractor should be familiar with this document, and able to provide it to you upon completion of your alternative water source project.

What is required on the permit?

A permit must be obtained by the installing contractor and must complete final inspection by a qualified representative of the permit-granting party in your region. Your contractor should be able to assist you in what to expect and ensure that your new water source successfully passes its final inspection. A signed copy of the permit with the inspection approved must be included with your rebate application.

What parts of the supplies and installation are eligible for a rebate?

Material eligible for rebates include, but is not limited to: permit costs, drilling charges, mobilization charges, pumps, well seals, pressure relief valves, pump control boxes, well casing, slotted well pipe, well system manifold piping, couplings, valves, sand installed, pump electrical wiring, conduit, automatic rain shutoff device, pressure tanks, and connection to irrigation system.

Items not eligible for rebate include, but are not limited to: irrigation spray heads, rotors, drip systems, pump replacements, iron removal systems, irrigation controls (for example, automatic timers).

Customer Agreement

View Agreement

  • Applicant must be an existing potable water utility customer of the city of Tampa, city of St. Petersburg, city of New Port Richey, Pinellas County, Pasco County or Hillsborough County.
  • All applicable ordinances requiring the use of backflow prevention devices on any potable water source shall be met.
  • Hillsborough County residential water customers are required to install a Residential Dual Check valve at their potable water meter, which carries a one-time cost of $60. This device prevents accidental contamination of the potable water system and must be permitted and installed by Hillsborough County at the time of well installation.
  • Tampa Bay Water Wise reserves the right to verify installation. If the rebate inspector is unable to conduct a scheduled inspection to verify installation, the rebate check may not be issued.
  • Applicant must allow Tampa Bay Water Wise access to review the completed installation for up to two (2) years after a rebate check has been paid in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.
  • Tampa Bay Water Wise reserves the right to inspect all submissions to determine eligibility. Fraudulent requests for rebates or duplicate submissions will be denied. Any paid rebates will be subject to repayment to Tampa Bay Water Wise if fraudulent activity is determined.
  • Applications submitted with missing or incomplete information will be subject to processing delays and/or denial of the rebate request.
  • Complete rebate applications submitted may take up to 30 days to be processed, approved and rebate checks sent out. Rebate approval is at the sole discretion of Tampa Bay Water Wise, and submission of a rebate application does not guarantee rebate approval.
  • In order to receive a rebate, applicants must fulfill application requirements, meet rebate criteria, and accept the customer agreement.
  • Rebate(s) will be issued as a check made payable to the account holder or homeowner. Checks will not be issued to third parties or contractors, unless designated by the homeowner with a general release form here.
  • New construction projects are not eligible.
  • Implementation of an alternative water source must completed on or after March 1, 2020, with applications submitted within 90 days of implementation.

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