Florida Water Star

Single Family homes that achieve Florida Water StarSM certification can receive a rebate for $1,000 per home. Multi-family homes can receive $100 for each certified indoor unit and $850 per 6,000 sq. ft. of outdoor landscaping that is certified. Multi-family certified units must meet FWS residential silver criteria for the indoors, while common and outdoor areas must meet FWS commercial criteria.

See requirements and more about the process below.

On average, home values typically increase by $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills. With utility savings estimates at $530, that’s more than a $10,000 increase in value that builders can offer potential home buyers.

In addition, builders receive marketing support through free display plaques and customizable brochures, as well as free educational support including real estate staff training and Accredited Professional training for irrigation and landscape contractors.

Lastly, we’ve taken the guesswork out of landscape design with this Residential Landscape Design Pattern Book which has 13 designs that meet the criteria for the Florida Water Star Silver Certification.

• Property must be a newly constructed single-family home or multi-family where water utility service is provided by one of the following: Pasco, Pinellas or Hillsborough counties or the cities of St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay or New Port Richey (utility or service bill required).
• Property must have an operable, in-ground irrigation system where potable water is used for irrigation purposes. Properties that have a well or reclaimed water for irrigation purposes will not be eligible for the program.
• Property must obtain Florida Water Star℠ Silver Certificate of Compliance or greater
• The Tampa Bay Water Wise program reserves the right to verify that the property meets all requirements for participation by confirming with Florida Water Star℠ program owner or Florida Water Star℠ program administrator.
• 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.
• Rebate checks will be issued by Tampa Bay Water Wise upon completion of all requirements and submission of Florida Water Star℠ Certificate of Compliance. Rebate checks may be issued up to 30 days after completion of receipt of certification.
• Rebate(s) will be issued as a check made payable to the homebuilder. Checks will not be issued to third parties, unless the third party is a landscape or irrigation contractor designated by the homebuilder with a general release form here.