By now you surely are aware that California’s drought is not going away. It is getting worse. And while the evidence shows that much of the problem involves water wasted on a small but rare fish in the Delta, up north, and the water-consuming crops, such as rice and almonds, that farmers insist on growing, in the San Joaquin Valley (because they pay too little for their water), the reality is that here in Santa Ana we are going to have to find more ways to conserve water.
One option that is available is turf replacement and SoCal WaterSmart is offering a generous rebate right now if you replace the turf grass around your home.
Grass uses a lot of water and requires frequent maintenance – making it a time-consuming and expensive yard option. In fact, the average residential customer spends about 60% of their water on outdoor irrigation. By changing turf to a California Friendly™ yard of drought tolerant plants you can save water and money.
To help with turf removal projects, rebates are available for $2.00 or more per square foot of turf removed. This increased turf removal rebate is being provided in response to Governor Edmund G Brown Jr.’s emergency drought declaration.
Who is eligible for a rebate?
To be eligible for a rebate, customers must:
- Have grass in the proposed project area
- Install a new landscape that meets the terms and conditions for their city. All projects must:
- Not include live turf or turf looking plants
- Include plants (not turf)
- Follow any additional requirements for their city. You can see these requirements by applying for project start approval (instructions below).
- Synthetic turf is eligible for rebates unless stated in your area’s terms and conditions. Click “Estimate your rebate” to see if you qualify.
- Customers are responsible for complying with all applicable local laws, ordinances, and other restrictions.
- Must not have received a turf removal rebate before. Only one turf removal rebate per property.
How to receive a rebate
There are two steps to receiving a rebate for turf removal:
Step 1: Project Start Approval
- Before you begin removing any turf, you must apply for and receive project start approval. The approval will specify the square feet your project has been approved for and your reserved rebate amount. Important note: Your final rebate cannot be larger than your reserved amount, even if you remove additional square footage. It is important that you estimate and measure your project area correctly.
- Visit the SoCalWaterSmart Turf Rebate Application to apply for project start approval online.
- Set up an account with a valid email address and password. The account will allow you to log in after your project is complete to complete “Step 2: Rebate Application.”
- Submit the requested information along with:
- At least 5 color photos of the areas where you plan to remove turf. Turf must be grass to qualify for a rebate.
- Submit at least one photo of each area you plan to remove turf (front yard, side yard, back yard, etc).
- Read PHOTO GUIDELINES to see what type of photos are required.
- A photo or scanned copy of your recent water bill.
- Wait to receive an email approval to start your project. This will take approximately two weeks.
- Once you receive approval, you have 120 days to complete your project.
- After completing your project, you are ready request your rebate by completing “Step 2: Rebate Application”
Step 2: Rebate Application
When your project is complete, visit SoCalWaterSmart.com to request your rebate by completing “Step 2: Rebate Application”
Login as a “Returning Turf Applicant” using your original email and password and submit the required information along with:
- At least 5 color photos of your completed project area.
- Submit at least one photo of each area where you removed turf (front yard, side yard, back yard, etc).
- Read PHOTO GUIDELINES to see what type of photos are required.
- A photo or scanned copy of your recent water bill.
- If your project includes synthetic turf, submit a photo or scanned copy of your synthetic turf receipt.
- Your rebate application will be reviewed and you will receive an email with the results in 4-5 weeks.
Photo Guidelines
There are two steps to receiving a rebate for turf removal:
- Must be in color.
- Cannot be a up-close shots of grass or plants. We recommend you stand back far enough to include your home, street, or fence as a reference point.
- Cannot be an online image such as Google street view
Click here for more information.
Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.
