California is a state with a plan when it comes to water conservation. Over the past few decades, drought conditions in the state have continued to worsen. Warm weather and dry conditions have started to wreak havoc on, not only the state's diminishing water supply, but natural grass lawns as well. Both homes and businesses have been faced with a difficult decision, how to keep their property looking nice and visually appealing if they can't water the grass and keep it thriving. The solution? Artificial Turf Rebates offered by both the state and local, city governments.
The Metropolitan Water District and Department of Water and Power
The governor offered the rebates when he requested that 50 million square feet of natural grass lawn be removed throughout the state. The Metropolitan Water District, which consists of 26 communities that work together to supply drinking water to close to 20 million Southern California residents, and the Department of Water and Power began offering rebates to homeowners and businesses who were willing to convert their natural grass lawns to artificial turf. The rebate offered was approximately $2 per square foot. In addition to the MWD and DWP rebates, city and county governments, in some areas, offered similar to rebates to help offset the cost.
What Will the Artificial Turf Rebates Do?
Basically, the idea behind the Artificial Turf Rebates is to offer homeowners and businesses in Southern California and other drought stricken areas throughout the state an incentive to remove their natural grass lawns and replace them with synthetic turf or other types of landscaping. By doing this, it will dramatically reduce water usage when it comes to lawn maintenance. It is estimated that a lawn of approximately 800 square feet, requires over 150,000 gallons of water each year to maintain. By removing the sod and natural grass and replacing it with artificial turf, little to no water would be needed and the lawn would remain visually appealing all year long. Homeowners who qualify for the rebate would be able to use the money to purchase and install artificial turf or another type of landscaping that would be drought compatible and reduce the overall need to use water.
Who Is Eligible?
Homeowners and businesses can go to the MWD website and use the tool provided to determine if they would be eligible to receive the rebate. The tool allows you to enter the square footage of the area you will be converting and, using the rate for your area, determine what type of rebate you will qualify for. If you don't qualify for a state rebate, make sure to check your county or city website to see if they are offering rebates. There are some areas that are offering rebates over and above the state. While some residents may only qualify for their local rebate, others may be in an area where both rebates can be taken advantage.
To receive the state Artificial Turf Rebates, there are a few stipulations. Homeowners have allowed their lawns to die or turn brown are not eligible and won't be allowed to apply for the rebate. For a lawn to be eligible, it must be alive and thriving. The Los Angeles City Council, however, is requesting that stipulation be changed so that homeowners who have had problems keeping their lawns growing in the difficult conditions can apply for the benefits. For a grass removal project to be eligible, the MWD must approve it and give the go ahead before it begins. It is also important to remember that rebates are limited to one per household. If you choose to remove more grass later and have already received a rebate, you will not be eligible for another one.
