Set a New Year’s Resolution to Reduce Outdoor Water Use and Lower Water Bills
LOS ANGELES, CA (January 3, 2025) — Cooler temperatures make it the perfect time for Angelenos to plant low water-use landscapes. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is offering a $5 per square foot turf replacement rebate, encouraging customers to make the shift this new year to water-efficient, eco-friendly gardens featuring California Friendly® and native plants.
Approximately one-third of L.A.’s water is used outdoors. Businesses and residential customers who replace traditional lawns with water-wise gardens can make a significant conservation impact, saving an estimated 44 gallons of water for every square foot of grass replaced with sustainable landscaping.
“We want to help our customers not only conserve water but also enhance their outdoor spaces with plants that are better suited for L.A.’s climate and environment,” said Terrence McCarthy, LADWP Manager of Water Resources Policy. “With our rebates and free resources, it’s easier than ever to create sustainable, water-efficient landscapes and save money on water bills.”
Since its inception, LADWP’s turf replacement program has incentivized the replacement of almost 52 million square feet of turf. The associated water savings are equivalent to the amount of water used by more than 28,000 homes annually.
To qualify, customers must apply and receive pre-approval before beginning their turf replacement project. Residential customers can receive $5 per square foot on projects from 250 square feet to 5,000 square feet, for a total maximum rebate of $25,000. Commercial customers can receive $5 per square foot on projects from 250 square feet to 50,000 square feet. Larger commercial turf replacement projects, ranging in size from 50,001 square feet to 7 acres, are eligible for a $3 per square foot rebate beyond the initial 50,000 square feet incentive for their project.
To support customers in their transition to sustainable landscaping, LADWP also offers free resources to make it easier to swap thirsty turf for low-water-use, sustainable gardens, including: landscape design templates; low water-use plant lists; DIY how-to videos; landscape training classes; tips for hiring a landscaping contractor; and checklists for sustainable landscaping.
To keep their sustainable garden thriving, customers can take advantage of additional cashback rebates for water-saving irrigation devices: up to $6 per nozzle for water-efficient rotating sprinkler nozzles; up to $200 back for a weather-based irrigation controller that adjusts a sprinkler system schedule to match the changing weather, and up to $50 for rain barrels to capture rainwater and use it to water plants, trees, and landscaping.
To learn more about LADWP’s turf replacement program, visit ladwp.com/landscaping. More information about free lawn transformation resources available at ladwp.com/LawnToGarden. Commercial customers can visit ladwp.com/cwr.
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