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Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate
Sydney Water offers a rebate of up to $2,500 to schools that install a rainwater tank. The rebate is available to all primary and secondary schools, public and private, connected to a Sydney Water main.
The rebate helps reduce the cost of purchasing and installing a rainwater tank.
- How do I apply for the rebate?
- Is my school eligible for the rebate?
- Exemptions for small schools
- Does my school's rainwater tank qualify for the rebate?
- What can the rebate be used for?
- What other schools have installed rainwater tanks?
Downloadable resources:
- Rainwater Tanks in Schools brochure (PDF - 260KB)
- Rebate application (PDF - 98KB)
- Terms and conditions (PDF - 82KB)
- Frequently asked questions (PDF - 104KB)
- Information on rainwater tanks in general
How do I apply for the rebate?
Step 1
Read the terms and conditions (PDF - 82KB) of the Sydney Water Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate Program to find out how to qualify for a rebate.
Step 2
Buy and install a rainwater tank. If backflow prevention devices are required as part of the tank installation, they must also be installed at this point by your licensed plumber.
Step 3
Complete and return the Application for a Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate form (PDF - 98KB) to Sydney Water, including receipts for the new tank and its installation.
To be eligible for the rebate, your school must complete a suitable water conservation education program, which includes a water audit and a water conservation action plan. This needs to have been done in the two years prior to, or within one year of receiving the rebate.
Send your application to:
Sydney Water
Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate Program - Level 14
PO Box 53
Sydney South NSW 1235
Step 4
Sydney Water will send you the appropriate teaching resources (either Every Drop Counts in Schools (PDF - 1.77MB) or Rainwater Tanks In Schools Water Audit (PDF - 803KB) ). Use the teaching resource to undertake a water audit and develop a water conservation action plan, if you haven't already done this.
The audit and action plan need to be done within 12 months of receiving the rebate.
Step 5
Send a copy of your water conservation action plan and details of your school's water saving initiatives to:
Sydney Water
Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate Program - Level 14
PO Box 53
Sydney South NSW 1235
Or email education@sydneywater.com.au
Is my school eligible for the rebate?
To be eligible for the rebate a school needs to:
- be a public, Catholic or private, primary or secondary school connected to the Sydney Water mains network
- complete a water conservation education program within 12 months of receiving the Sydney Water Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate or have done so in the last two years
- participate in or run eligible water conservation programs such as Every Drop Counts in Schools (PDF - 1.77MB) and Rainwater Tanks In Schools Water Audit (PDF - 803KB) .
Exemptions for small schools
Small schools that may not have previously qualified for a rebate because of lack of space or for other reasons may now qualify for special consideration. Exemptions for small schools allow for smaller rainwater tanks with a combined capacity as low as 4,500 litres, provided the tanks are connected to a frequently used student toilet block.
Schools eligible for special consideration must have:
- a maximum of 300 students
- limited space and so cannot practically install a 10,000 litre tank
- no outdoor irrigation system that uses drinking (potable) water
- applied for special consideration in writing prior to buying and installing a tank.
Does my school's rainwater tank qualify for the rebate?
To qualify for the rebate the new tank(s) must:
- be purchased and installed on or after 30 April 2004 and before 30 June 2009
- be connected to either a fixed irrigation system and/or a frequently used student toilet block
- a minimum total capacity of 10,000 litres of water (multiple tanks can be installed to achieve the minimum capacity)
- comply with local council requirements
- have associated plumbing work completed by a licensed plumber where required
- have an appropriate backflow prevention or individual device(s) fitted, if required
- meet the terms and conditions (PDF - 82KB) of the program.
What can the rebate be used for?
The rebate can be used to cover the cost of the tank and its installation, including plumbing such as backflow prevention devices.
Stormwater detention tanks designed only for stormwater management are not eligible for the rebate.
Rainwater tanks that store water solely for firefighting purposes are also not eligible.
What other schools have installed rainwater tanks?
Why not get some advice from a school that has already installed a rainwater tank? These Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains schools have installed rainwater tanks and received a rebate from Sydney Water.
- List of schools that have installed a rainwater tank (PDF - 91KB)
