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LADWP: We'll Pay You to have a Drought Tolerant Lawn
A xeriscaped lawn in Silver Lake | Photo by Jeremy Levine Design via Flickr
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One day after new lawn watering regulations went into effect, the LA Department of Water and Power announced a program to encourage residents to replace their traditional bitch thirsty green grass lawns with ones filled with drought tolerant plants. You're not going to make loads of money, but it's a good step for the department to take, nonetheless. From their news release:
The Residential Drought Resistant Landscape Incentive Program will pay single family residential customers $1 for each square foot of turf removed and replaced with drought tolerant plants, mulching and water-permeable hardscapes. Customers' plans must be pre-approved by the LADWP prior to installation and evidence of installation must be provided after the landscaping is replaced in order to receive the rebate. LADWP’s Water Conservation Division staff will conduct pre-and post-audits of all applicant's landscapes. [snip]
The Department estimates that with 30-40% of water use occurring outdoors, replacing traditional lawns with drought tolerant varieties presents a viable option for significant water savings throughout the city. One square foot of traditional lawn needs approximately 50 inches of water per year. In comparison, most drought tolerant plants need approximately 15 inches of water or less per square foot per year. In an average year, Los Angeles receives about 15 inches of rain per year.
Previously: Do New LADWP Water Rules Mean More Xeriscaped Lawns?
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