Wichitans can get rebates, free equipment for conserving water in 2025. Here’s how
Wichitans can get free water-saving showerheads starting in March as part of a new addition to the city’s water conservation rebate program.
The program, which the city council approved Tuesday for the 13th year, will provide incentives for rain barrels, smart irrigation controllers, faucet and hose irrigation controllers, and rain sensors. It will also provide free water-saving showerheads and sink aerators to Wichitans, a new addition to the 2025 program.
These showerheads and aerators will be available at city hall, neighborhood resource centers and libraries on a first-come, first-served basis starting in March.
“With the funding that we’re allocating for this, we think we’ll have several thousand of these each available,” said Gary Janzen, the director of public works and utilities.
When compared to a standard showerhead, it’s estimated that these would save around 5,000 gallons a year. The aerators on sinks are estimated to save 700 gallons a year. Sink aerators are the mesh screens screwed into faucets to reduce water usage and make a more consistent water stream.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s available to customers through the rebate program:
- Up to $100 for rain barrels
- Up to $100 for rain censor shut-offs
- Up to $100 for faucet/hose irrigation controllers
- Up to $100 for smart irrigation controllers
- Up to $50 for dual flush kits
- Up to $35 for toilet repair kits
- Up to $100 for dishwashers
- Up to $100 for toilets
- Up to $100 for washing machines
Customers are limited to five rebates per year. Qualifying item should be purchased after Jan. 1, 2025.
Any Wichita water customers interested in the program should fill out the rebate application form on Wichita’s website.
The approval of the 2025 plan comes as Wichita continues phase 2 of the city’s drought response plan.
Phase 2 restricts outdoor watering for Wichita water customers to once a week. While that will not be an issue during winter, council member Becky Tuttle reminded residents that those restrictions will continue in the spring.
“We don’t want to go into Stage 3, because we could quite literally put some of our small businesses and businesses out of operation,” Tuttle said. “So we all need to continue to stay vigilant and this is just one way we can do it.”
As of Feb. 18, Cheney Lake sat at 59.18% full, according to the city of Wichita’s website.
Here’s a breakdown of how the $150,000 for the conservation program will be spent:
- $110,000 will go toward Wichita residential customers for rebates.
- $30,000 will go to wholesale customers to begin their own conservation program.
- $10,000 will go toward purchasing the water-saving shower heads and aerators.
This story was originally published February 18, 2025 at 1:53 PM.
