LADWP highlights water-wise landscaping partnershipwith San Fernando Valley apartment complex |
LOS ANGELES–The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) presented today a $19,533 rebate check to The Onyx Apartments in Woodland Hills and its contractor ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance for the replacement of half an acre of the property’s outdoor grass with California Friendly® landscaping. The ceremonial check presentation was held at the Apartment Owners Association’s “Million Dollar” Trade Show and Landlording Conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall, where thousands of multi-family property owners and managers attended. LADWP’s announcement recognized the efforts of The Onyx’s owners City View to conserve more water by reducing outdoor watering, and highlighted LADWP’s $1-per-square foot “cash-for-grass” program offered to all apartment and condominium property owners in Los Angeles. Penny Falcon, Manager of Water Conservation Policy, Legislation and Grants at LADWP, said, “We are pleased to offer customers like The Onyx Apartments a dollar for every square foot of grass that they replaced with water wise landscaping features like plants appropriate for California weather. The Onyx project will conserve approximately 500,000 gallons of water each year, amounting to significant savings to the apartment complex’s water bill.” She adds, “Forty to 60 percent of water in L.A. is used for outdoor irrigation making cutting back on lawn watering or eliminating it altogether one of the easiest ways for our customers to save water and money. I encourage apartment and condominium property owners and managers to follow The Onyx Apartments’ lead and take advantage of this great LADWP rebate program.” ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance, which completed The Onyx Apartment’s new landscaping, was on hand to receive the rebate check. According to Los Angeles Regional Enhancement Manager Jacob Lott, “This project demonstrates the great collaboration between The Onyx Apartments, property manager Klingbeil Capital Management and ValleyCrest. The LADWP water-saving rebate program provided a substantial incentive to renovate the existing landscape with updated smart controllers, drip irrigation and a plant palette that turned a half acre of turf into vibrant, colorful plants that use much less water. Not only does the landscape require less irrigation, it provides added curb appeal that attracts residents to this vibrant community.” Enhancements to The Onyx’s property include California Friendly® low-maintenance plants, mulch and groundcover. LADWP began offering the California Friendly® Landscape Incentive Program rebate to its residential and commercial customers in 2009. Since then, more than 850 customers have replaced approximately 6.7 million square feet of turf with qualifying landscaping features that save both water and money. All rebate applicants must receive pre-approval, complete an application process, and have a site inspection conducted by LADWP before receiving their rebate. For more information, visit www.ladwp.com/WC. ### |