Frequently Asked Questions

This page is dedicated to the most frequently asked questions about the rebates, incentives, and water waste violations. If you have a question that is not answered please ask below and we will reply within 1-3 business days.

FAQs

Rebates

What are the program requirements?

• Applicants must be the property owners. If the property is leased, only the owner can apply.
• Applicants must be customers of Denton Water Utilities.
• Your water utility account must be in good standing.
• Rebates will not be paid for partial installations or completions.
• All installations or projects must comply with the specific requirements outlined in this manual.
• All installations or projects must meet applicable national, local, and manufacturer's standards and specifications.
• All application submissions are subject to lawful verification or identification and entitlement to the program credit by the city.
• A pre- and post-inspection may be required.
• Applications for payment must be submitted within 30 days of installation or completion.
• Program funding is limited to the fiscal year. The City reserves the right to request that applicants downsize the project or divide it into phases for reimbursement.

Which rebate requires a pre-inspection?

The Turf Buy-Back and Rain Garden Rebate requires a pre-inspection. The pre-inspection is done through the Irrigation Evaluation. Please apply for an Irrigation Evaluation, in the application indicate which rebates you would like to participate in. If you do not have an irrigation system, then please indicate so on the Irrigation Evaluation application.

You cannot receive the Turf Buy-Back or Rain Garden rebate without a pre-inspection. Do not start your project without the say so from city staff.

What is the Irrigation Evaluation?

The free Irrigation Evaluation is a check of your irrigation system. During the evaluation a licensed irrigator will run your irrigation system to check for any leaks, damage, or misaligned heads. The evaluator will not make any repairs only recommendations. At the end of the evaluation if needed the evaluator will update your irrigation schedule to the Twice-A-Week schedule and you will receive a report on your irrigation system.

What is the Irrigation Controller Rebate?

The Irrigation Controller rebate is a one-time payment per water account of up to $300 for the purchase and installation of an EPA WaterSense® weather or soil-based irrigation controller.

What is the Turf Buy-Back Rebate?

The Turf Buy-Back is a payment of $5.00/square foot up to 10,000 square feet with a minimum of 400 square feet converted. Then after that the payment will be $3.50/square foot after 10,000 feet. You must convert permanent turfgrass and spray irrigation to native plants and drip irrigation. You must receive an Irrigation Evaluation which will serve as a pre-inspection.

What is the Rain Garden Rebate?

The Rain Garden rebate is a payment of $5.00/square foot for the conversion of a low-lying turfgrass area that collects water. You must convert a low-lying area with turfgrass to a landscaped area with native plants and 2-3inch layer of mulch. You must receive an Irrigation Evaluation which will serve as a pre-inspection.

What should I do if I have already begun or completed a rebate before finding out about this program?

Unfortunately, as the program has just been launched, it is primarily aimed at assisting residents who may not have the resources to undertake native landscape projects on their own. Given this objective, we are unable to justify subsidizing a project that has already commenced. We regret to inform you that this might limit the options for homeowners who have already initiated the transition process.

Violations

What is the irrigation schedule?

The year-round Twice-A-Week irrigation schedule is determined by the last digit of residential addresses, while commercial and multi-family properties are categorized separately. The schedule is as follows:

What if I see someone watering out of schedule?

You can report watering out of schedule anonymously to engage Denton or call 311 to report to customer service.

What is the summer watering times?

Watering is prohibited between the hours of 10am and 6pm from June 1st - September 30th.

There have been some questions related to the way the new twice a week irrigation schedule works with the annual summer watering ordinance. If it is your irrigation day based on the irrigation schedule, you may water from 12:01 am - 9:59 am, stop watering by 10 am, then you may resume from 6:00 pm - 11:59 pm.

The twice a week watering schedule is always in effect, whereas the summer watering ordinance is designed to eliminate evaporative water waste and is only in effect for the hottest periods of the year.

What are all year water violations?

• The year round Twice-A-Week irrigation schedule.
• All irrigation systems must include rain and freeze sensors.
• Prohibition of irrigation designs and installations that spray directly onto impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, roads, and onto any other non-irrigated areas.
• Prohibition of the use of poorly maintained sprinkler systems that waste water.
• Requirement that any outside faucet or service line leak be repaired.

During times of drought there are different restrictions that apply to each stage.

What are restrictions during each stage of drought?

Stage 1 Drought - Mild

Prohibition of outdoor watering from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Prohibition of using water to clean paved areas, building, windows, or other surfaces.

Stage 2 Drought - Moderate

All landscape watering is limited to one day of the week between the hours of 6:00 PM and 10:00 AM.

• Residents with an odd address (ending in 1,3,5,7 or 9) may only water on Wednesdays.
• Residents with an even address (ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or no address) on Tuesdays.

Prohibition of the operation of an ornamental fountain that does not have a recirculation system or is not used to support aquatic life.

Prohibition of recreational water use for outdoor leisure including the use of faucets, hoses, or hydrants.

Restriction of washing any vehicle to the use of a hand-held bucket or a hose equipped with a positive shut-off only on your designated watering day.

Restrict the use of water to replace evaporation losses in swimming pools, wading pools, and jacuzzi type pools to the designated day of week watering schedule.

Prohibition of using water to clean paved areas, building, windows, or other surfaces.

Foundations may only be watered for a two-hour period between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM on the designated day of week watering schedule.

Stage 3 - Severe

All irrigation is prohibited.

Restriction of washing any vehicle to a commercial car wash and only between the hours of 6:00 PM to 10:00 AM

Prohibition of filling, refilling, or adding water to swimming pools, wading pools, and jacuzzi type pools.

Prohibition of the operation of an ornamental fountain that does not have a recirculation system or is not used to support aquatic life.

Foundations may be watered for a two-hour period only between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM on the designated day of week watering schedule.

No application for a new, additional, expanded, or increased in size water service connections, meters, service lines, pipeline extensions, mains, or watered service facilities of any kind shall be approved.

Permitting of new swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, ornamental ponds, and fountain construction is prohibited.

I got a First, Second, or Third Notice of Violation what does this mean?

If you have received a Notice of Violation for the water utilities department that means it was reported or observed that there is a water waste violation on the property that was addressed. Please correct the issue immediately to prevent future notices or potential fines. Please contact the Water Resource Department at conservewater@cityofdenton.com.