General Water Program Guidelines (Commercial)
- The rebate process for the majority of Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) water rebates (such as high-efficiency toilets, clothes washers, irrigation controllers, turf replacement, etc.) are coordinated by a partnership formed with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) to streamline and automate the process for customers. MWD utilizes a contracted company, EGIA, to process rebates and rebate details can be reviewed at socalwatersmart.com.
- RPU and EGIA, the entity that manages the majority of water-saving rebates for the MWD, reserves the right to determine product eligibility.
- All programs are subject to fund availability and may be cancelled, modified or reduced at any time.
- Rebate amount and requirements are subject to change without advance notice.
- Customers must fulfill all program-specific and general guidelines to be eligible for incentives.
- Technology or devices must be a qualifying model under Metropolitan’s list.
- A pre-inspection may be required to receive an incentive for commercial programs.
- By applying for a rebate in this program, personal information listed on your application may be subject to disclosure to requesting parties pursuant to the California Public Records Act.
- A copy of dated sales receipt(s) must be provided and is subject to verification for rebates. Sales receipt(s) must note all necessary information on the qualifying product, including, but not limited to: make and model number or type, vendor, date, and price per qualifying unit.
- Rebate payment cannot exceed the reserved amount and is subject to verification, completeness, and accuracy of all required documentation. Required documentation includes, but is not limited to, a copy of the purchase receipt and a copy of the water bill. The receipt or invoice must include the model number, date of purchase, and proof of full payment while the water bill provided must show the account number, account holder’s name, and water service for the property listed on the application. Additional documentation may be required at any time in order to verify information associated with the rebate application.
- Applications with a product purchased through a third-party website (eBay, Amazon, etc.) must be submitted with a receipt or confirmation identifying the item as new.
- Rebate reservations expire 60 days after the reservation effective date. A completed rebate application, along with required documentation, must be sent no later than the reservation expiration date. Any applications submitted after the 60-day expiration date will not be accepted.
- The Internal Revenue Service requires Rebate Program participants receiving $600 or more in rebates to receive an IRS Form 1099 unless exemptions apply. If your rebate amount will exceed this threshold, the payee’s Social Security or Tax ID number must be provided via a completed Form W-9 along with the rebate application paperwork in order to receive a rebate. The name on the W-9 must match the name on the rebate check. SoCal Water$mart will pay rebates to the entity listed on the W9, and will modify the application to reflect the change in payee. This form must be completed so that EGIA, the rebate administrator, can properly complete the Form 1099. This requirement is in compliance with exemptions to the Federal Privacy Act of 1974, 42 USC 405 (c)(2)(c). Social Security numbers provided as part of the application process are held in confidence under terms of the Privacy Act and are not divulged or otherwise conveyed to individuals or organizations outside the Rebate Program.
- Incentive(s) are paid for the purchase of NEW equipment/devices.
- Qualified products must be installed and in operation at the customer’s service address.
- Customer is responsible for complying with local ordinances, restrictions, rules and regulations prior to installing any new equipment.
- Riverside Public Utilities does not endorse or recommend specific brands, products, contractors or dealers, nor does it guarantee material or workmanship; acceptance of such is the customer’s responsibility.
- RPU reserves the right to inspect devices or projects that received a rebate through SoCalWaterSmart. If during the inspection it is determined that the customer is not in compliance with the requirements of the program, RPU or EGIA may recover the total amount of the incentive or rate reduction paid to the customer for non-compliance.
- Email addresses provided on the application may be used to communicate additional available rebates or programs.
For assistance with these programs, contact our account management team at [email protected].