Rainwater Harvesting

  1. 1 Blue rain barrels displayed in a garden supply store.
  2. 2 Decorative rain barrel with a built-in spigot displayed among plants.
  3. 3 Instructor demonstrates a rain barrel during a rainwater harvesting workshop.
  4. 4 Large rainwater harvesting storage tank installed outdoors.
  5. 5 Large black rainwater storage tank installed outdoors among trees.

Rainwater harvesting involves the capture, diversion, and storage of rainwater for later use. It’s a water conservation method an alternative water source and a water conservation method that can reduce the pressure on aquifer systems by reducing pumping needs.

Upcoming Rainwater Harvesting Events & Programs

Rainwater collection tanks beside a home with the text “Rainwater Harvesting 101, August 22.”The next Rainwater Harvesting 101 Workshop is:

Saturday, August 22 from 10 AM to 12 Noon at the Bastrop Community Gardens, 1067 State Hwy 71, Bastrop, TX.  

Workshop is FREE but SPACE IS LIMITED. Registration closes Monday, August 17 at 5 PM.

Registration Closed.

Rainwater Harvesting Rebate Program

Get up to $5,000 for harvesting the rain!

Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District offers a rainwater harvesting rebate to promote and encourage collection as a water conservation method. Rainwater harvesting can help reduce peak season pumping demands on our aquifers in the summer months, reduce stormwater runoff, and provide an alternative water supply source that will improve water quality and reduce erosion. For every 1 inch of rainfall 0.6 gallons can be collected for each square foot of collection surface ->  (2,000 sq. ft. roof) x (0.6 gallons) = 1,200 gallons harvested per 1 inch of rainfall.

Application Form & Guidelines

Program Details & Qualifications

  • Applicant's property must be within the District (Bastrop or Lee County).
  • Applicant must complete an approved Rainwater Harvesting 101 workshop to qualify.
  • Applicant must submit an application within 12 months after attending a Rainwater Harvesting 101 workshop.
  • District staff must approve site plans before installation. Any tanks or barrels installed prior to application approval do not qualify for a rebate. 
  • Once the system is installed, District staff will perform an inspection. After the system passes inspection, rebate check will be mailed to the applicant, $1 for every one gallon of storage capacity of the tanks/barrels, up to $5,000.
  • PLEASE NOTE: if you are installing a potable rainwater harvesting system, contact your municipal water supplier to meet their backflow prevention requirements.

Rainwater Harvesting Rebate Program Manager:

Claire Marks | cmarks@lostpineswater.org | (512) 360-5088

Rainwater Harvesting Resources


Not sure how big of a tank you'll need?

Try out a few of these calculators, they’re designed to help determine how much water you’ll want to save and what size harvesting system will best suit your needs.

Need help planning your system?

Here are a few guides designed to help homeowners create their own system. 

Texas Tax Code Incentive

The Texas Tax Code §151.355 exempts rainwater harvesting equipment and supplies from state sales tax. To claim this exemption, a purchaser of rainwater harvesting equipment must furnish a Tax Exemption Application Form 01-339 to the supplier of the equipment.

Rainwater Suppliers & Installers

This list is in no particular order.