The West Basin Municipal Water District grass replacement programs for residential and commercial properties across the service area received a funding boost totaling $685,000 for the District starting July 1, 2022. The United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) awarded West Basin a $385,000 WaterSMART Grant, part of its water and energy efficiency grant funding program, citing the District’s application was among those receiving the highest ratings. Additionally, West Basin was awarded $300,000 from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program Phase 3 Awards. West Basin’s Grass Replacement + program was included in a suite of projects awarded by DWR which will improve outdoor water savings by upgrading landscapes in priority census tracts.
“We thank the Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of Water Resources for recognizing and supporting West Basin’s water use efficiency actions to see us through this historic drought,” said West Basin General Manager Gregory Reed. “These grant funds allow the District to follow through on its commitments to water supply reliability, sound financial management, customer service, and environmental stewardship.”
Conserved water will reduce the need for imported water taken from the strained Colorado River, remain in storage reservoirs for longer periods of time and help mitigate drought. Water conservation will also reduce the stress on the DWR State Water Project, which has seen its deliveries reduced to zero in some portions of Southern California.
Through its grass removal programs, West Basin expects to convert approximately 250 sites to water efficient landscaping, equating to approximately 400,000 square feet of grass replacement. The expected result is an annual water savings of 54 acre-feet, or roughly 17.6 million gallons in a year.
West Basin is calling on its service area to reduce its water use by 30 percent, especially from outdoor water use which can account for 50 percent of total use. To participate in West Basin’s Grass Replacement program, which provide rebates starting at $3 for every square foot of grass replaced with drought-tolerant landscaping, please visit: westbasin.org/conservation.
###
West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) is a wholesale water agency that serves nearly one million people in 17 cities and unincorporated areas in Los Angeles County. West Basin provides imported drinking water, recycled water, as well as conservation and education programs. Through its Water for Tomorrow Program, West Basin is committed to protecting, diversifying, and securing our water supply for the future while continuing a history of innovation and industry leadership. Visit www.westbasin.org to learn more.
