The city of San Diego briefly ran out of money for its rain barrel rebate program this summer, but is again flush with funds in advance of the strengthening El Niño.
San Diego offers to refund residents $1 a gallon up to $400 for residential rain barrels. To get a rebate, a resident must have a barrel that stores at least 50 gallons.
To apply, residents must turn in before and after photos along with receipts for their barrels and complete an application.
"A lot of people are starting to think about it and we're starting to see an increase in applications," said Luis Generoso, the water resources manager for the city's Public Utilities Department. "Especially as we talk about the possibility of El Niño and the rains coming, some people are actually preparing and having rain barrels ready."
He said for every inch of rain that falls, a 1,000-square-foot roof captures 625 gallons of water. A typical rain barrel stores 50 gallons and can cost $75, Generoso said.
The Metropolitan Water District also offers rebates of $75 a barrel for up to four barrels. Residents in the city of San Diego can apply for both.
Generoso said when people send in pictures of their rain barrels, he's noticed the designs have become more attractive.
"They're starting to get really pretty, they don’t look like drums anymore, so people are more accepting," he said.
San Diego's turf rebate program that refunds residents for taking out their grass ran through its $1.2 million budget the first day it opened, on July 1. But Generoso said rain barrel rebates are funded separately, so money is still available.
