 The owner of Salon de Nouveau worked with the Tucson Water conservation team to conduct an early trial of the turf removal rebate program, replacing the salon’s ornamental turf with a desert-friendly landscape, and adding a rainwater harvesting system.
New Turf Removal Program Targets Saving 9 Million Gallons of Water a Year
Tucson Water is launching a new conservation incentive program for commercial and multifamily customers to remove non-functional turfgrass and replace it with desert-adapted landscaping. This exciting new program is thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (AZWIFA) with federal American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated by the Arizona State legislature in 2023.
Here's an overview of the program that focuses on non-functional or ornamental turfgrass, grass areas not used for recreation:
Why target ornamental turfgrass? Examples include grass in front of apartment buildings, around office or industrial complexes, and alongside roads. It’s not used by people or pets and requires lots of watering and maintenance. Replacing that grass with a well-designed landscape of native and desert-adapted plants can provide just as much curb appeal, as well as shade and wildlife habitat, all while using much less water.
What’s the goal? We can save 9.2 million gallons of water annually by removing more than 250,000 square feet of ornamental turfgrass over the next two years. The Alliance for Water Efficiency found that replacing turfgrass with desert-adapted landscaping conserves 36 gallons of water per square foot per year.
What does the rebate include? Starting July 1, commercial and multifamily Tucson Water customers can qualify for a rebate of $5 per square foot, up to $100,000, by removing non-functional turf and replacing it with low water use plants and trees. Optional incentives are available for incorporating water harvesting basins and native trees into the new design.
Is the City removing turfgrass at its facilities? Yes! The AZWIFA grant includes funding to support the City in removing unused turfgrass at city parks. Tucson Water and Parks and Recreation are working to remove 55,000 square feet of turfgrass in Fort Lowell, Mirasol, and James Thomas Parks and replacing it with low water use plants and trees.
Why is the City launching this rebate? Because saving every drop of water is a priority, especially water used outdoors that cannot be recycled! In May 2023, Tucson Water and more than 30 water agencies in the Colorado River Basin committed to new conservation programs to protect water levels in Lake Mead. In June 2023, Tucson's Mayor and Council approved Ordinance 12055 to prohibit any new non-functional turf from being installed in new commercial and multifamily development projects. This new incentive helps commercial and multifamily customers who are ready to remove grass at their properties by providing a limited-time rebate to offset the upfront costs of transforming a landscape.
I’m interested. How do I get started? Reach out to the Conservation team at 520-791-4331 or conservation@tucsonaz.gov. The team will explain the turf removal process and provide a rebate estimate specific to your property.
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