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If you collect rain water at your home or business, you could qualify for a drainage charge discount. Your efforts help reduce flooding, erosion, and water pollution.

What’s Eligible for a Discount?

To be eligible for the discount, stormwater control measures must be voluntary, i.e., not required by development regulations. Eligible measures may include:

  • Rainwater harvesting systems
  • Rain gardens
  • Green roofs
  • Stormwater ponds

Amount of Discount

Discounts, calculated the same way for both commercial and residential properties, are based on the amount and percent of impervious cover that you offset. You can reduce up to 50 percent of your impervious cover. Examples of potential discounts:

  • 55 gallon tank:  $0.20 to $0.30 per month
  • Small rain garden (60 sq. ft., 6 inches deep): $0.70 to $1.20 per month
  • 1,000 gallon tank: $2.90 to $4.90 per month

Please note that the low end of the range is based on a property with 2,000 square feet and 30% impervious cover. The high end is based on a property with 5,000 square feet and 50% impervious cover.

Find out all the details in the Stormwater Management Discount Guidance Document.

Ready to Apply?

Before applying, check your impervious cover using the "Find My Drainage Charge" tool. Your charge could go up or down based on verified data.

If your rainwater harvesting system consists of tanks that are each less than 250 gallons, you will need the following information to apply:

  • Utility Account number (You can find this on your City of Austin utilities invoice.)
  • Capacity of your tanks
  • Photo

For systems with larger tanks and for other stormwater control measures, you will need additional documents and information listed in the application, including impervious cover information and a site map. You can use the “Find My Drainage Charge” tool to get impervious cover data and to create a site map. This tutorial will explain how.

Documents and Online Resources

Related Links

Rebates, Tools & Programs