Water Conservation Incentive

We want to reward residents who are making efforts to reduce water use. 

Rebates are available for residential water utility customers of the City of Medicine Hat on home and yard upgrades that reduce water consumption like xeriscape materials, sprinkler and irrigation modifications, and drought-tolerant ground cover.

Customers are eligible for up to a maximum of $750 per household for the lifetime of the incentive program. Applications can be submitted for multiple eligible items to the maximum amount and are accepted on a first come, first served basis until funds are fully depleted. 

Eligible items

Xeriscape materials 

50% rebate up to a $500 maximum 

The following xeriscape materials are eligible if they are used for landscaping/groundcover:

  • Landscape fabric
  • Mulch (bark shavings, nuggets, wood chip mixes)
    • Mulch should provide cover around plants to reduce the need for water, or to replace turf/grass. 
    • Mulch must be permeable. Rubber mulch is NOT accepted.
  • Rock (rock mixes, shale)
    • Pavers and patio stones are NOT accepted.

Materials used for driveways, dog runs, or under structures (decks, etc.) are not eligible. 

Note: Photos of final xeriscaping must accompany the application. 

Drought tolerant ground cover/turf 

50% rebate up to a $250 maximum 

Drought tolerant turf/grass sod, grass seed, non-turf grass groundcover seed such as white/micro clover and hydro-seed are eligible for the rebate program if they are TWCA-certified and/or composition consists of less than 30% of Kentucky Blue Grass. Rebate includes the cost of installation.

Note: Proof of composition required. Please provide proof of turf/seed mix composition from the bag or provide a product composition list from the supplier/installer.

Low flow exterior sprinklers

50% rebate up to a $200 maximum 

A low flow sprinkler head is designed to apply water at a slower rate, so the water has a chance to properly absorb into the top of slopes or deep into garden soil. These sprinklers use less water, making it more water efficient than fixed-spray sprinkler heads.

Irrigation system controller (WaterSense® label)

50% rebate up to a $250 maximum 

Rebate provided for the installation of a WaterSense® labeled irrigation controller. Sensors/controllers purchased for new or existing irrigation systems are eligible.

Note: Installation must be done by a professional irrigation contractor to ensure that your new irrigation controller is working its best. The product spec sheet must be included in your application.

Scratch and Win

Plus!

We've added the following eligible items to our existing Scratch and Win rebate:

  • Low flow toilet (WaterSense® label)
  • Low water appliances
  • Rain barrels
  • Rain barrel accessories
  • Soaker hoses
  • Watering timer

Go to the Scratch and Win page to apply

 

Apply

Apply online

Application deadline

Application deadline is noon on December 31, 2025.

Application terms and conditions

The following Terms and Conditions establish the program eligibility requirements for an application to the Water Conservation Incentive Program (Program) for existing residential properties.

Program Applications are subject to approval under the HAT Smart Initiative. A completed application is neither a guarantee of eligibility for a rebate under the Program, nor payment of the rebate itself, and is subject to the following Terms and Conditions:

  1. The Program will be in effect from January 1 to December 31, 2025 (Program Term), or until a time in which Program funds are fully disbursed.
    • Applicants are eligible for one (1) rebate per residential address during the Program Term and up to a maximum of $750 for the duration of ownership of the property.
  2. The deadline to submit an application is noon on December 31, 2025.
    • The Program works on a ‘first come, first served’ basis; there will be no reservation of funds, and rebates allocated under the Program will be allocated and secured based on the order in which it is received.
  3. The Applicant must be in good standing with the City of Medicine Hat. The City of Medicine Hat reserves the right to define what good standing entails, and this includes, but is not limited to: 
    • The Applicant must have never been in collections for a property in the City of Medicine Hat. 
    • If the Applicant has any current or previous enforcement, compliance, licensing, legal, or other issues with the City of Medicine Hat they may be deemed ineligible. 
  4. Your application will be declined if it is:
    • received after Program funds are fully disbursed.
    • incomplete or illegible. A new application will be required and must be received prior to the application deadline.
  5. To qualify for a rebate under the Program:
    • purchases must appear on the list of eligible items on the HAT Smart website; and
    • items must be purchased in Canada between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025 as evidenced by the date on invoices and/or receipts.
      • Online purchases are only eligible if they are ordered from an online distributor in Canada.
  6. To be eligible for a rebate under the Program:
    • Eligible Products must be purchased by the property as confirmed by application submission requirements and verified by the City of Medicine Hat, and
    • Applicants must either receive a City of Medicine Hat residential Electric and/or Natural Gas utility statement for the Project address in their name or, for rental properties, be named as the property owner on the utility account.
      • Residential customers living in a condo are not eligible for the Program if utilities are paid for through condo fees or by the condo association since the condo building itself would then be considered a commercial enterprise.
    • HAT Smart rebates are paid based on pre-tax amounts. Therefore, amounts entered on the application form should not include taxes.
    • Omission of Required Documentation will result in an incomplete application which will be declined by HAT Smart.
    • The Applicant should allow at least four (4) weeks to process the application. If approved, your rebate will be applied to your City of Medicine Hat utility account.
  7. The Applicant is solely responsible for:
    • researching and ensuring they qualify under applicable eligibility criteria as outlined on the HAT Smart website;
    • meeting all Program requirements and complying with any laws, regulations, or by-laws regarding permits, codes, restrictions, and/or inspections in relation to products or equipment installed;
    • any direct or indirect taxes, duties, levies, fees, or like charges incurred as a result of participation in the Program;
    • retaining a copy of the Application form and all required documentation; these will not be returned to the Applicant by HAT Smart; and
    • ensuring contractors are appropriately certified and qualified to conduct the work.
  8. The Applicant acknowledges and agrees that HAT Smart:
    • is not responsible for, and accepts no liability nor makes any representations with respect to estimated or possible energy savings of qualifying purchases;
    • is not responsible for, nor liable for, the selection, purchase, installation, and ownership/ maintenance of the products included in the submitted rebate application; and
    • makes no representation or warranty, whether expressed, implied, direct or indirect, with respect to the products, services or other measures that the Applicant has purchased.
  9. The Applicant further agrees:
    • the Eligible Project has been completed in the specified dwelling through a service provider and that purchases and installations are of new condition and for non-commercial use only;
    • that HAT Smart is not affiliated in any way with the manufacturer, distributor, dealer, and/or installer of the product(s);
    • that combined incentives from government programs shall not exceed 100% of Eligible Project costs;
    • to disclose rebate amounts received, or to be received, from complementary municipal, provincial, and/or federal government programs; and
    • any other rebate(s), discount(s) and/or incentive(s) offered and/or provided by any government agency, institution, manufacturer, distributor, dealer and/or installer are separate and distinct from the Program and HAT Smart shall not be responsible for the administration or payment of the same nor be responsible for the erroneous submission of other rebate(s), discount(s) and/or incentive(s) to HAT Smart.
  10. In submitting this application, the Applicant consents:
    • to the disclosure of personal information, as well as the rebate amount awarded to the Applicant, to HAT Smart, its contractors, employees, partners and others who have a need to know; and
    • to the collection, use, disclosure and retention of such information for five years, following which such information will be destroyed or made anonymous.
  11. HAT Smart reserves the right to change or terminate the Program at any time without notice or explanation. HAT Smart will use reasonable efforts to process a completed eligible application received prior to changes or Program termination according to Program requirements in effect on the date the application was received.

 

How to participate
 
Determine your eligibility

Before applying, read the Eligibility section below. Don’t forget to check out the FAQs!

Eligibility

To qualify for a rebate:

  • Applicants must receive a City of Medicine Hat residential water utility statement for the Project address in their name.

    If you live in a condo and your utilities are paid for through your condo fees or by the condo association, you would not be eligible for HAT Smart rebates since the condo building itself would be considered a commercial enterprise.
  • Purchases must appear on the list of eligible items (under Purchase a qualifying item) and bought in Canada between January 1 and December 31, 2025 as evidenced by the date on invoices and/or receipts. Online purchases are only eligible if they are ordered from an online distributor in Canada.
Purchase a qualifying item 

Purchase an eligible item from the list above.

Required documentation

Attach all required documentation, as outlined below.

Omission of required documentation, and/or photos will result in an incomplete application, which will be declined by HAT Smart. A new application will be required and processed based on the date it is received by HAT Smart. Payment may not be made if funds are fully subscribed.

Receipts

All receipts and invoices must be dated between January 1 and December 31, 2025 and include a description of the product*.

Proof of payment is required for each receipt/invoice.

* If details are not available on receipts/invoices, you must provide product information that clearly shows the model number, description and Program eligibility. This information can be obtained from either the retailer or the manufacturer’s website.

Photo(s)

All photos must clearly show the water conservation item in its final location. In the case of the WaterSense® items, the model, serial numbers and spec sheet for the qualifying unit(s) must be submitted.
Request your rebate

Once you have everything you need, apply online.

Water Incentive Application

Payment
Your rebate will be applied to your City of Medicine Hat Utility Account in the next billing period. Please allow up to four weeks for the credit, pending approval of this application.