June 21, 2023
Eligible applicants in underserved communities can receive a free landscape design, tree, and $5/sq. ft. rebate to replace grass with a water-efficient garden
West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) announced that a new round of funding for the Grass Replacement+ Program (Grass+) is now available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
The water-saving rebate program offers valuable incentives to be water- wise outdoors: a significant rebate of $5 for every square foot of grass removed, up to $25,000 in value; a free custom landscape design, valued at approximately $2,000; and a free, low water use tree to expand urban canopy cover. West Basin will help fund 35 Grass+ packages beginning June 21, 2023. West Basin service area residents can find more information, confirm eligibility, and get started by visiting www.westbasin.org/grass-plus.
“The West Basin Board of Directors continues to encourage water use efficiency in our communities, regardless of current water supply or drought conditions, by replacing water-intensive lawns with beautiful, climate appropriate landscapes,” said West Basin Board President and Division IV Director Scott Houston. “We especially want to support our neighbors who are disproportionately affected by environmental and socioeconomic factors. The Grass+ program is specifically designed to make increased water-efficiency at home a goal that is accessible for all,” said Houston.
The Grass+ program is open to residents in historically underserved neighborhoods within the West Basin service area that have been disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other socioeconomic considerations as defined by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s (CalEPA) California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool (CalEnviroScreen 4.0).
Last year, West Basin piloted this grass replacement program and successfully distributed 20 free design packages and a number of drought-tolerant trees. This year, the program builds on West Basin’s efforts to reduce potable water demand with the potential to achieve an annual water savings of approximately 3.4 million gallons.
All of West Basin’s grass replacement programs encourage climate appropriate landscape transformations to make water conservation a way of life. To learn how to adopt a SUPER-CALI-FRUGALISTISC lifestyle, visit www.westbasin.org/conservation.
