San Jose is taking a proactive approach to water conservation. In the hopes of protecting its main water source, the Guadeloupe River, the city's officials have launched a program that will help homeowners convert their natural grass lawns into beautifully landscaped areas. By incorporating drought friendly plants with concepts often found in many Zen temples throughout the area, officials hope to save water and beautify their city at the same time.
Who Is Eligible to Participate?
Homeowners in the San Jose area can apply to have their lawns converted to drought friendly landscaping if they meet the following eligibility requirements. First, their property must be located in San Jose and be a part of the San Jose Municipal Water System. The single family home must be occupied by the owners and fall within 500 to 1,500 square feet in area. The property must have a functioning sprinkler irrigation system. A working controller is also required. Homeowners who meet these eligibility requirements can apply for the Lawn Buster program. If they are approved, they will be charged $500 and put on the list to have their lawn landscaped by local professionals. One quarter of the budget for the program has been set aside to help low-income families who qualify for the program, but may not be able to afford the $500 fee.
What Is Included in the Lawn Buster Program?
Homeowners who are approved for the program get quite an investment in return for their $500. They receive everything needed to complete the conversion including the labor needed to complete the work. For the flat fee, they will receive drought resistant plants and have their irrigation system converted to a system that is designed for optimum efficiency and water conservation.
The landscaped areas are designed for maximum water efficiency and visual, curb appeal. San Jose officials hope that by offering the discounted prices and providing both materials and labor, local homeowners will continue to do their part to help conserve the area's precious water resources. With the outlook for California's drought conditions looking bleak, the city has chosen to be as proactive as possible and help homeowners keep their lawns looking beautiful without worrying about water consumption.
Benefits of The Program
San Jose officials believe the Lawn Buster program will offer major benefits over the next few years. With even small lawns requiring as much as 18,000 gallons of water each year, the conversion process from natural grass to drought friendly landscaping can save massive amounts of water each year. The San Jose Environmental Services department and other community officials hope that by offering the Lawn Buster program to homeowners who qualify, they will be able to accomplish several goals.
Beautification of the local neighborhoods, water conservation and helping homeowners save money on their water bills are all priorities of the project. California's drought conditions have continually gotten worse over the past several decades leaving homeowners at a loss as to how to maintain their lawns and still comply with strict water guidelines. With projects like Lawn Busters and other innovative projects that are supported by the state, local officials hope to provide viable solutions to the environmental problems caused by the drought.
Other non profit organizations such as Our City Forest, the Santa Clara Valley Water District and the San Jose Municipal Water System are closely monitoring the projects efforts. If the project is a success, the organizations are looking forward to expanding the effort and hopefully including more neighborhoods and communities in the future. With residents and local officials working together, it is hoped that benefits of this and other projects like it will be a success.
