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ActiveLast verified 8/11/26

Philadelphia Water Department Rain Check

The program may support one of these project types: Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard, Replace Pavement or Build a Permeable Driveway or Patio, or Capture Rainwater in a Barrel or Cistern.

Run by
Philadelphia Water Department, implemented by Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Service area
Residential properties throughout Philadelphia. One cost-share stormwater tool and one rain barrel per eligible property.

Program at a glance

Benefit
Rain garden: $22.00 per square foot up to $2,500.00. Permeable pavers: $20.00 per square foot up to $2,500.00. Metal downspout planter: $1,100.00 subsidy with $100.00 participant payment. Rain barrel: free 55 gallon barrel approximately $175.00 value.
Who
Residential properties throughout Philadelphia. One cost-share stormwater tool and one rain barrel per eligible property.
Where
Residential properties throughout Philadelphia. One cost-share stormwater tool and one rain barrel per eligible property.
Qualifying project
The program may support one of these project types: Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard, Replace Pavement or Build a Permeable Driveway or Patio, or Capture Rainwater in a Barrel or Cistern.

Quick check

Do the main rules appear to fit?

Your answers stay in this page session. The program makes the final decision.

1. Is the property in the official service area or account group?

A city mailing address may not match a utility or watershed boundary.

2. Does the property need one of the approved project routes listed above?
3. Have you checked the approval rule before buying or starting work?

Many programs need before photos, an inspection, or written approval.

Answer each question for a cautious result.

The rules remain visible here even if the interactive check is unavailable.

The finished result

What project qualifies?

This program may support more than one approved project route. The program’s plan and written decision control which route applies to the property.

An approved planted feature slows, stores, filters, or infiltrates runoff on the property. Impervious pavement is removed or replaced with an approved surface and base that lets water pass through. Roof runoff is captured in an approved container and reused or released safely.

Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard

An approved planted feature slows, stores, filters, or infiltrates runoff on the property.

See the full project guide →

Replace Pavement or Build a Permeable Driveway or Patio

Impervious pavement is removed or replaced with an approved surface and base that lets water pass through.

See the full project guide →

What the project may require

A product can be one part of the work. The approved project, timing, design, and proof control.

Complete the approved property project

required

Creates the finished outcome the program supports.

The program may support one of these project types: Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard, Replace Pavement or Build a Permeable Driveway or Patio, or Capture Rainwater in a Barrel or Cistern.

Official path: official page

How to apply or check the program

  1. 1

    Confirm the property

    Verify the service area, account, ownership, applicant, and property type with Philadelphia Water Department, implemented by Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

  2. 2

    Open the current official program source

    Use the official program link below.

  3. 3

    Collect the before-project evidence

    One-hour workshop. Property eligibility review. Signed owner waiver for tenants. $25.00 consultation deposit. Site consultation. Contractor quote.

  4. 4

    Get approval when required

    Get written approval before removing, buying, signing, or installing anything the program treats as project work.

  5. 5

    Complete only the approved scope

    Keep design changes and material substitutions in writing.

  6. 6

    Submit the completion package

    PWD installation approval. Contractor closeout documentation.

Open the official program

Details to confirm

  • The $25.00 consultation deposit is nonrefundable but is credited toward an installation.
  • Current web rates supersede older fact sheets still circulating online.
  • A generic gravel product cannot be represented as Rain Check compliant without gradation and cleanliness certification.

Examples that do not qualify

  • Buying gravel, soil, mulch, or another product by itself does not create eligibility.

Questions people ask

Is this a rebate for buying gravel or another material?

No. The program supports the qualifying property project described above. A material purchase matters only when it serves the approved design and follows the program’s payment rules.

Can I start before applying?

Get written approval before removing, buying, signing, or installing anything the program treats as project work.

Does appearing eligible guarantee funding?

No. Current status, funding, ranking, inspection, and final approval can still affect the outcome.

Who decides whether a material substitution qualifies?

The program or its designated designer. Ask Philadelphia Water Department, implemented by Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to approve the exact substitute in writing before ordering.

Last verified 8/11/26

Official sources

Use these official sources for current rules, availability, and application details.

Report a change or missing program

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