Smart Irrigation Controllers

Smart irrigation controllers can keep your landscape lush while providing the optimal amount of water for your plants. Watering at the appropriate levels saves valuable drinking water and helps prevent lawn-destroying fungus and disease.

• Weather-based controllers monitor weather conditions, like temperature and humidity. They determine how much water your landscape needs and adjust the watering schedule accordingly, ensuring your plants are healthy and beautiful.
• Soil moisture sensors (SMS) measure how much water is already in the soil, and can be connected to most irrigation controllers. They will prevent an automatic irrigation system from watering if the soil is already wet enough.

Homeowners are pre-qualified based in part on the volume of water they use, and this is evaluated periodically. Therefore, pre-qualification can change year to year.

Residents must always adhere to local watering restrictions even if a smart irrigation controller is added to the sprinkler system.

• WaterSense certified weather-based irrigation controllers take the guesswork out of how much water your plants need to thrive, and several models can also be controlled through an app on your smartphone. Soil moisture sensors will prevent your irrigation system from automatically watering when the soil is already wet enough, for example, if it recently rained.
• Installation by trained professionals will help ensure optimal performance and water savings with your new device.
• Reduce your monthly outdoor water use, typically up to 30%.
• Water savings can lower your water bill.

• Single family homes with over-watered landscapes, as identified by Tampa Bay Water Wise, are eligible to apply. You must be eligible in order to apply. Eligibility may change annually. Check your eligibility here.
• You 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 with an automatic in-ground irrigation/sprinkler system installed which uses potable water.
• Applicant agrees to Customer Agreement (see below)
• Installations must be completed by a licensed contractor. Contractors must first ensure the irrigation system is properly functioning (otherwise we will not issue a rebate) and they must complete the ET/SMS Checklist (see Documentation Requirements). Please visit our list of approved contractors who have taken Tampa Bay Water Wise’s training course on proper smart controller installation. Otherwise, we recommend that homeowners select a contractor with smart controller experience and knowledge. We recommend homeowners get at least 3 quotes from licensed contractors. You can check contractor’s licenses here:
  
  Hillsborough County based contractors – check license here
  Pasco County based contractors – check license here
  Pinellas County based contractors – check license here
• Installed weather-based irrigation controller must be listed on the EPA WaterSense eligibility list available online at https://www.epa.gov/watersense/product-search.
• Installed SMS must be one of the four identified qualified models listed in the online application. To review the models, please visit the program Frequently Asked Questions.
• Installed soil moisture sensors must be a WaterSense certified model (https://www.epa.gov/watersense/product-search) or one of the models listed here:
  • Toro – PSS (Sensor and Probe) or (Probe Only)
  • Hunter – Soil Clik
  • Rainbird – SMRT-Y
  • Baseline – WaterTec S100

• An itemized receipt/invoice identifying the make, model and model number as well as purchase or installation date, and individual costs for product and installation. Costs for materials, hardware or other supplies other than what was supplied in the product packaging are not eligible for reimbursement.
• A completed SMS Checklist or ET Checklist, signed and dated by the installing contractor certifying that the installation followed manufacturer or University of Florida Recommendations for Optimizing Use of Smart Irrigation Controllers (UF IFAS)
• A picture of the SMS probe (if applying for a soil moisture sensor rebate)showing probe installation depth and orientation.
• A copy of your utility bill is required.
• If rebate is payable to a representative of the homeowner, a completed and signed general release form is required. You may download a general release form here.

• 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.
• Tampa Bay Water Wise reserves the right to verify the purchase and installation of the devices. Evaluations of the installation shall be allowed by the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program specialist in each county. If they are unable to conduct a scheduled evaluation visit to verify purchase and/or installation, the rebate check may not be issued.
• Applicant must allow Tampa Bay Water Wise or the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ specialist 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.
• 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.
• Applications submitted with missing or incomplete information will be subject to processing delays and/or denial of the rebate request.
• In order to receive a rebate, applicants must fulfill application requirements, meet rebate criteria, and accept the customer agreement.
• Rebates are offered on new products only. Used or refurbished items are not eligible for a rebate.
• Unless explicitly stated, all products must be owned by the customer. Rented or leased products are not eligible for a rebate.
• New construction projects are not eligible.
• Purchases must be made on or after March 1, 2020, with applications submitted within 1 year of purchase.