The Scotts Valley Water District is doubling its lawn replacement rebate from $1 to $2 per square foot for a limited time to encourage customers to install low-water-use landscaping at their properties.
Through the Turf’s Up! campaign, customers are urged to replace irrigated lawn areas with low-water-use plants and/or permeable landscape materials such as mulch, decomposed granite, permeable pavers or artificial turf to reduce water use. Outdoor irrigation accounts for approximately one-third of the water used by District customers.
“Our customers have done a great job being efficient with indoor water use, including installing low-flow fixtures and water-efficient appliances,” SVWD Manager Piret Harmon said. “Being mindful of outdoor water use is a natural next step to being good stewards of our water resources, especially as we address increasing concern about drought conditions this year.”
Rainfall totals in the Scotts Valley area this year are about half of normal, and last year also was a dry year. While the District is supplied by groundwater and recycled water, years of low rainfall have impacts on water use and future water levels in the aquifers that supply the District.
The Turf’s Up! rebate program requires both pre- and post-inspections. Existing sprinkler heads must be either converted to drip (or other low-volume devices) or removed and glue-capped. Inactive valves must be removed and pipes glue-capped. High and low-volume devices should not exist on the same valve.
Customers must apply for the Turf’s Up rebate by April 15, 2021, and all work — including the final inspection — must be completed by June 30, 2021, to be eligible for the $2 per square foot special offer. See details and apply online.