The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is accepting applications for the 2025 Texas Rain Catcher Award through June 30.

The Texas Rain Catcher Award has recognized excellence in the application of rainwater harvesting systems in Texas since 2007.

It is an annual rainwater harvesting competition and recognition program that promotes technology, educates the public and recognizes excellence in the application of rainwater harvesting systems in Texas.

Individuals, companies, organizations, municipalities and other local and state governmental entities in Texas who have a rainwater system installed in their home or business are invited to apply for the competition.

Awards are presented in each of the following categories: agricultural, commercial/industrial, educational/governmental, and residential.

At the discretion of the judging committee, additional categories may be added to accommodate systems that cannot be properly classified into one of the categories.

Applications are reviewed by a panel of judges consisting of TWDB staff. Each entry will be judged in the appropriate category. Scores will be based on the following on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest):

  • Demonstration of how the rainwater harvesting system has helped conserve surface water and/or groundwater through reduced dependency on conventional water supply systems.
  • Demonstration of how the rainwater harvesting system has saved money for the owner.
  • Originality and innovation as evidenced by the application of new knowledge, new application of existing knowledge or an innovative mix of existing and new knowledge.
  • Demonstration of how the system has benefited the environment (for example, reduced erosion or the threat of flooding) without itself adversely impacting the environment.
  • Uniqueness of the system.

Winners will be notified via e-mail and announced on TWDB’s Rainwater Harvesting website.

Winners of the Texas Rain Catcher Award are invited to Austin to receive their award during a regular meeting of the TWDB board in the fall. Winning entries will be displayed on the TWDB website and will also be included in a TWDB newsletter.

Applications are due June 30.

Entries may be submitted to rainwater-harvesting@twdb.texas.gov using the subject line, Texas Rain Catcher Award Submission – [entity’s name].

For more information, visit the Texas Rain Catcher Award website or contact Shae Luther at shae.luther@twdb.texas.gov.

View competition details here.

View the application here.