Water Rebates

Through its Water Saver Rebate Scheme, Council is offering financial assistance to residents who install waterwise products in and around their home and at their businesses.

To learn more about Water Sustainability click here.

It is important to read all the Terms and Conditions (PDF 302.4KB) before submitting your application

The following products purchased from 18 December 2019, are eligible for rebates.

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Residential, Business and Commercial Rebates

Ceiling Fan Description and T&C's - 50% up to $50ea

Permanently installed ceiling fan in an indoor room that has an evaporative air conditioning duct to offset and reduce evaporative air conditioning use and water consumption. Installation of ceiling fans in rooms/areas that do not have evaporative cooling are not covered under the water saving rebates scheme.
Properties with reverse cycle air conditioning are not eligible for the rebate as this is an initiative to reduce water consumption from evaporative coolers
Must be completed and signed off by a licensed electrical contractor
Can claim multiple units
Rebate paid on hardware not installation costs
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible

Evaporative Air Conditioner Servicing & Maintenance Description and T&C's - 50% up to $200

The following components and services are eligible for the rebate, as they directly contribute to water savings and efficiency:

Cleaning or replacing cooling pads.
Maintenance of the water reservoir/sump.
Servicing the water supply line to the unit.
Maintenance or replacement of the water pump.
Maintenance or replacement of the float valve.
Servicing of the reservoir/sump overflow hose or bleeder hose.
Start-up and shut-down servicing of the unit.

The following components and services are not covered by the rebate, as they do not directly impact water saving or efficiency:

Fan or fan motor.
Supply duct.
Electrical components. (Control panel, thermostats and electrical wiring)
The outer casing and structural frame of the EVAP unit.

Please note: This rebate program is focused on enhancing water saving and efficiency. Therefore, components and services not related to water-saving, such as the fan, fan motor, supply duct, electrical components, the outer casing and structural frame are not eligible for the rebate.

For residential properties, a rebate will be provided once per year for each evaporative cooler at a specific property, provided the rebates are claimed within the same financial year. All claims must be made within the financial year in which the expenditure occurs.

Greywater Diversion System (GDS) Description and T&C's - 50% up to $150

A GDS diverts used water from showers, bath, basins and laundries. Greywater can be used for subsurface dripper system and the water is not or must not be stored
For more information on GDS please refer to Council’s Recycling Greywater Fact Sheet (PDF 229.8KB)
The GDS is required to be an approved SMART DROP Certified system as a whole. You cannot build your own system using individual SMART DROP Certified components
Installation must be completed and signed off by a licenced plumber
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible
Applicants must upload a copy of the self-assessment checklist (PDF 427.9KB) and plumbers declaration

Greywater Treatment System (GTS) Description and T&C's - 50% up to $800

A GTS diverts used water from showers, bath, basin and laundries and it is treated by a controlled natural process to purify the wastewater suitable for reuse. It can be used for toilet flushing, washing machine or surface irrigation.
For more information on GTS please refer to Council’s Recycling Greywater Fact Sheet (PDF 229.8KB)
Installation must be completed and signed off by a licenced plumber
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible
Applicants must upload a copy of the Section 68 Certificate of Compliance and plumbers declaration

Hot Water System Diverter (Return) Description and T&C's - 50% up to $50ea

System that automatically diverts the cooled hot water in a property’s hot water pipes when not in use and sends it back into the cold water line, rainwater tank, or other storage tank, instead of otherwise flowing down the drain
The system is required to be a SMART DROP certified system for the rebate
Installation must be completed and signed off by a licenced plumber
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible

Plumbers Audit Description and T&C’s - 50% up to $100

A property water efficiency audit must be completed and signed off by a licenced plumber
The Waterwise Plumber’s Audit Checklist and plumbers invoice must be attached to the rebate application, ask a plumber to provide you with a copy

Rainwater Tank (Small) Description and T&C's - 50% up to $200

2,000 – 4,999 Litre rainwater tank or total interconnected volume
Must be connected to toilet and/or laundry to offset use of the treated water supply at any time
Rebate paid on hardware not installation costs
Rebate paid on total interconnected tank volume per property
Secondary installation application for rebate will only be assessed on the volume of the new tank and a review of the overall volume will be undertaken to determine optimum viability rain water volume per property against seasonal rainfall
If using rainwater for other purposes, tank must have a rainwater only tap that cannot be switched to the treated supply. If tank does not have rainwater only tap, Council cannot supply sign for outdoor use
Each application will be assessed on an individual basis to ensure a reasonable outcome for the resident and Council as public funding body and reserves the right to reject applications on a case by case basis
Properties must be connected to the treated town water supply to be eligible for rebate
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible
Installation must be completed and signed off by a licenced plumber

Rainwater Tank (Medium) Description and T&C's - 50% up to $800

5,000 – 9,999 rainwater tank or total interconnected volume
Must be connected to toilet and/or laundry to offset use of the treated water supply at any time
Rebate paid on hardware not installation costs
Rebate paid on total interconnected tank volume per property
Secondary installation application for rebate will only be assessed on the volume of the new tank and a review of the overall volume will be undertaken to determine optimum viability rain water volume per property against seasonal rainfall.
If using rainwater for other purposes, tank must have a rainwater only tap that cannot be switched to the treated supply. If tank does not have rainwater only tap Council cannot supply sign for outdoor use
Each application will be assessed on an individual basis to ensure a reasonable outcome for the resident and Council as public funding body and reserves the right to reject applications on a case by case basis
Properties must be connected to the treated town water supply to be eligible for rebate
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible
Installation must be completed and signed off by a licenced plumber

Rainwater Tank (Large) Description and T&C's - 50% up to $1,000

10,000 Litre or above rainwater tank or total interconnected volume
Must be connected to toilet and/or laundry to offset use of the treated water supply at any time
Rebate paid on hardware not installation costs
Rebate paid on total interconnected tank volume per property
Secondary installation application for rebate will only be assessed on the volume of the new tank and a review of the overall volume will be undertaken to determine optimum viability rain water volume per property against seasonal rainfall
If using rainwater for other purposes, tank must have a rainwater only tap that cannot be switched to the treated supply. If tank does not have rainwater only tap Council cannot supply sign for outdoor use
Each application will be assessed on an individual basis to ensure a reasonable outcome for the resident and Council as public funding body and reserves the right to reject applications on a case by case basis
Properties must be connected to the treated town water supply to be eligible for rebate
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible
Installation must be completed and signed off by a licenced plumber

Rainwater Tank (Stand Alone - Small) Description and T&C's - 50% up to $100

2,000 - 4,999 Litre rainwater tank or total interconnected volume
Properties must be connected to the treated town water supply to be eligible for rebate
Rebate paid on total interconnected tank volume per property
Tank(s) does not have to be plumbed into the house
Secondary installation application for rebate will only be assessed on the volume of the new tank and a review of the overall volume will be undertaken to determine optimum viability rain water volume per property against seasonal rainfall
Item eligible for rebate if undertaken after 11 February 2020

Rainwater Tank (Stand Alone - Medium) Description and T&C's - 50% up to $400

5,000 - 9,999 Litre rainwater tank or total interconnected volume
Properties must be connected to the treated town water supply to be eligible for rebate
Rebate paid on total interconnected tank volume per property
Tank(s) does not have to be plumbed into the house
Secondary installation application for rebate will only be assessed on the volume of the new tank and a review of the overall volume will be undertaken to determine optimum viability rain water volume per property against seasonal rainfall
Item eligible for rebate if undertaken after 11 February 2020

Rainwater Tank (Stand Alone - Large) Description and T&C's - 50% up to $500

10,000 or above rainwater tank or total interconnected volume
Properties must be connected to the treated town water supply to be eligible for rebate
Rebate paid on total interconnected tank volume per property
Tank(s) does not have to be plumbed into the house
Secondary installation application for rebate will only be assessed on the volume of the new tank and a review of the overall volume will be undertaken to determine optimum viability rain water volume per property against seasonal rainfall
Item eligible for rebate if undertaken after 11 February 2020

Shower Controller Device Description and T&C’s - 50% up to $50ea

Electronic system that pre-sets the length of shower times and/or the provision of hot water
The system is required to be a SMART DROP Certified system for the rebate
Can claim multiple units
Must be installed by a licensed plumber or electrician
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible

Shower Oxijet Description and T&C’s - 50% up to $20ea

Uses aeration technology to volumise the water flow, giving you a more luxurious shower and powerful spray, while reducing water consumption
Can claim multiple Oxijets

Showerhead Description and T&C's - 50% up to $20ea

Minimum 3 star WELS rating
Can claim multiple showerheads

Swimming Pool Backwash Recycling System (PBRS) Description and T&C's - 50% up to $250

Recycles swimming pool backwash water which otherwise goes down the drain. It is easily installed during pool construction or as an attachment to already existing sand filtered systems
The PBRS is required to be a SMART DROP Certified system for the rebate
Installation must be undertaken by and signed off on by a qualified pool technician
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible

Swimming Pool Cover Description and T&C’s - 50% up to $100

Must be a SMART DROP Certified system cover

Tap - Low Flow or Sensor Description and T&C's - 50% up to $50ea

Sensor tap turns on when hands are moving underneath them
Low flow tap that has a very reduced flow
Minimum 3 star WELS rating
Can claim multiple
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible

Toilet Dual Flush Description and T&C’s - 50% up to $150

Cistern and bowl (cistern only replacement not covered under rebate)
Minimum 3 star WELS rating
Installation must be completed and signed off by a licenced plumber
Can claim multiple dual flush toilet units
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible

Toilet with Cistern Sink Description and T&C’s - 50% up to $200ea

Water used at the sink mounted on the cistern drains into the cistern for reuse when flushing.
Must be a dual flush cistern
Installation must be completed and signed off by a licenced plumber
Can claim multiple units
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible

Tree Well Water Saver Description an T&C's - 50% up to $2ea

Plastic well placed around base of tree to focus water around roots system rather than running away
The system is required to be a SMART DROP Certified system for the rebate
Can claim multiple units
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible

Business and Commercial ONLY Rebates

Commercial Steam Cleaner Description and T&C’s - 50% up to $200

Steam cleaning systems using steam rather than water flow to clean surfaces. There are various models that can be applied in the health, contract cleaning, automotive, industrial, animal care and education industries.
Must be a SMART DROP Certified system for the rebate
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible

Commercial Chemical Cleaner Description and T&C’s - 50% up to $200

Replaces steam cleaning and uses less water. Combines chemical action and mechanical agitation to effectively remove soil particles from carpet fibres.
Must be a SMART DROP Certified system for the rebate
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible

Commercial Pre Rinse Spray/Mixer/Nozzle Ware Description and T&C’s - 50% up to $150ea

Efficient water application systems for business and commercial operations such as restaurants, takeaway shops, hairdressers, etc.
Must be a SMART DROP Certified system for the rebate
Can claim multiple units
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible

Commercial dishwasher / glasswasher Description and T&C’s - 50% up to $250

Recirculating low water consumption washers for food, hospitality, aged care or educational facilities
Must be either a SMART DROP Certified system or minimum of 6 star WELS rating
Installation must be completed by a licenced plumber
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible

Commercial Washing Machine Description and T&C’s - 50% up to $500

Minimum of a 5-star WELS rating or water efficient commercial machine potentially using 40% less water
Each application will be assessed on the business use and type
Item eligible from 18 December 2019 as per Council Report approval, anything dated prior is not eligible

Frequently Asked Questions

Do my products need to have a waterwise rating?

Yes, to be eligible for the Council rebate, the products you install must be certified as being water-saving.

indoor products need to be WELS rated
outdoor products must have a SMART DROP Certified mark.

Do I need Council approval when installing a rainwater tank?

Typically, tanks less than 10,000L may be installed without council approval. Please refer to our Exempt Development Section by clicking here or view the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 to ensure that your tank does not need Council approval before carrying out any works.

Tanks that do not meet all relevant development controls shall be required to lodge a Development Application for assessment. For information relating to the lodgement of a Development Application please refer to our Planning & Development section.

When does the water saving rebate scheme end?

The rebate scheme has been extended until February 2027.

Do I need a tradesperson declaration form?

A number of rebates require a trade declaration form to be submitted with the rebate application. Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully. If you are a licensed tradesperson completing work for a client who is intending to claim a rebate but do not have the appropriate declaration form please email trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au to receive a copy.

What is the Tamworth Regional Council Self Assessment Checklist required for?

Greywater Diversion System

Applications must complete and upload the checklist, which can be found here.
Council will review the application.

What is a Section 68 Certificate of Compliance required for?

Greywater Treatment System

More information on Section 68 Certificate of Compliance can be found here

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