Terms and conditions: NSW rainwater tank rebate
The following terms and conditions apply to the NSW Government's Rainwater Tank Rebate Program. The applicant should read them carefully before signing the application form. Please note a separate application form and terms and conditions apply for Sydney Water customers. Contact Sydney Water on 13 20 92 for details.
Application
An application for a rebate must be submitted on an official Rainwater Tank Rebate Application form (392 kb, requires Acrobat Reader) and must be approved by the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (DECC) before a rebate can be issued.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a rebate, the applicant must be an owner of the residential property where the tank is installed, complete an official 'Application for a Rainwater Tank Rebate' form and attach the original receipt(s) for the purchase and installation of the rainwater tank(s). The receipt(s) must be in the applicant's name. DECC must receive the application no later than 5:00pm on 30 September 2011. The applicant must have installed a rainwater tank(s) that:
- was paid for in full and installed on or after 1 July 2007 and before 30 June 2011
- has a minimum total capacity of 2,000 litres (note: this capacity must be reserved for rainwater only and excludes any capacity reserved for potable top-up)
- is new
- is covered by a minimum 12 month warranty
- is installed in New South Wales
- is used solely for the collection and storage of rainwater for use on the site (rainwater is water collected from roof guttering and downpipes)
- is connected to an appropriate roof area
- meets all relevant standards, the NSW Code of Practice for Plumbing and Drainage, backflow prevention and local council and water utility requirements
- has all associated plumbing work completed by a licensed plumber
- is not a stormwater retention tank(s) that is designed only for stormwater management. This type of tank is not eligible for this rebate. Rainwater tanks which store water solely for firefighting purposes are also ineligible.
BASIX
Rainwater tanks installed to comply with BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index) for new homes, major renovations or a pool installation are not eligible for a rebate.
Backflow prevention
Where a property is also supplied with a reticulated drinking water supply, the NSW Code of Practice for Plumbing and Drainage requires that all properties with a rainwater tank must have a backflow prevention device on the property's boundary, regardless of whether the tank has a permanent connection to the water supply. To assist residents to comply with this requirement your local water utility may provide a new water meter with a backflow prevention device. Contact your local water utility for further details. Note that your water utility cannot provide this assistance if reasonable access cannot be obtained to the meter for exchange.
Please note that applicants with properties where the water meter is more than 25mm, regardless of whether the rainwater tank is installed above or below ground, will be responsible for the installation of an appropriate backflow prevention device, which must be fitted by a licensed plumber. This may be the case with some medium density or high rise properties. Contact your local water utility for further details.
Above ground tanks
Where the rainwater tank is installed above ground with no interconnection (or cross connection) between the rainwater tank service and the water service supplied from a reticulated water main, no additional backflow prevention is required.
Where the rainwater tank is installed above ground with an interconnection (or cross connection) between the rainwater tank and the water service supplied from a reticulated water main, the applicant is responsible for the installation of an additional appropriate backflow prevention device. Your licensed plumber should provide advice regarding the type of backflow prevention required. In this case, you are not eligible for a rebate until the additional backflow prevention device has been installed by a licensed plumber and a permit and Certificate of Compliance have been supplied to the local water utility.
Below ground tanks
Where the rainwater tank is installed below ground the applicant is responsible for the installation of an appropriate testable backflow prevention device at the property boundary which must be fitted by a licensed plumber. In these cases, you are not eligible for a rebate until the backflow prevention device has been fitted and the plumber has supplied a permit, Certificate of Compliance and Test Report to the local water utility.
Where the rainwater tank is installed below ground with an interconnection (or cross connection) between the rainwater tank service and the water service from a reticulated water main, the applicant is responsible for the installation of an additional backflow prevention device which must be fitted by a licensed plumber. This may be another testable backflow prevention device or a visible air gap. Your licensed plumber should provide advice regarding the type of backflow prevention required. In this case, you are not eligible for a rebate until both backflow prevention devices have been installed and the plumber has submitted a permit, Certificate of Compliance and Backflow Prevention Maintenance and Test reports to the local water utility.
Other applicants with properties where the property is on the reticulated supply, but there is no water meter on the property (this includes properties that share a water meter with other dwellings), should contact their local water utility to confirm their requirements.
Water utility approval
When your rainwater tank is connected to the mains supply, the local water utility may need to inspect the rainwater tank to ensure that the installation meets their requirements. You will not need to contact your water utility directly as your plumber is required to prepare and forward the Certificate of Compliance for the plumbing work to the water utility.
The rebate for connecting to toilets and washing machines is only available to residents connected to mains water supply.
Ongoing operation of tank
The rainwater tank must operate on the property for a period of five (5) years after installation. On provision of reasonable notice from DECC, the applicant will allow an authorised inspector access to the rainwater tank to conduct audits to ensure its continued operation.
Research
For the first five (5) years following installation, rebate recipients may be asked to participate in DECC research about water efficiency and rainwater tanks.
Sole rebate
DECC will only issue one (1) rebate per property.
Refund of rebate
Applicants may be required to repay the rebate if any of these terms and conditions are found to have been breached in the first five (5) years after installation of the rainwater tank.
Program changes
DECC reserves the right, at its sole and absolute discretion and at any time, to change any or all of the terms and conditions of the rebate program or to cancel the rebate program prior to 30 June 2011. Applications must be received by DECC prior to any published termination date for the rebate program. Current terms and conditions are available on DECC's website.
Liability
The applicant acknowledges and agrees that as far as the law permits, DECC (and its successors) accepts no liability in respect to any claim, cause of action or loss or damage arising out of, or in relation to, any rainwater tank, rainwater tank system or the consumption of any water from such rainwater tank or system that is the subject of funding assistance. The applicant agrees that they will indemnify and keep indemnified DECC from any claim or liability arising out of, or in relation to, the rainwater tank system that is the subject of this application to the extent that any claim or liability is not caused by DECC's negligence or breach of this application or any other term implied by law.
Payment
Payment of approved rebates will be by cheque only and made payable to the property owner as identified in the application form.
Privacy notice
DECC collects and manages the personal information you provide in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. Information collected by DECC may be disclosed to other government departments and/or the relevant local council or water utility. The provision of this information is voluntary, although DECC will not issue a rebate to an applicant who refuses to provide information or agree to the disclosure of their details to the above agencies. If the information provided by other government departments and/or councils indicates that you are not eligible, then DECC will not pay the rebate or will seek reimbursement of any rebate paid.
For further information or enquiries regarding privacy or access to your information, contact an FOI/Privacy Officer on 9995 6080 or 9995 6497 or write to:
FOI/Privacy Officer
Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW
PO Box A290
Sydney South NSW 1232
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Page last updated: 31 March 2009
