MESA, Ariz. – Mesa is launching a Grass-to-Xeriscape rebate program today that will pay residents up to $500 to switch from water-thirsty turf grass to more water-friendly alternatives such as synthetic lawns like NewGrass™.

Residents who remove 500 square feet or more of established turf grass and replace it with a water-conserving alternative qualify for a rebate of $1 per square foot of grass that is removed, up to a $500 maximum rebate. To qualify, you must be the current owner of a single-family home in Mesa and be a Mesa city water customer.

Applications are being mailed to all residential water customers this week. Complete information is available at http://www.cityofmesa.org/utilities/conservation/grass-to-xeriscape-rebate.aspx.

Mesa joins a list of Valley cities in the Phoenix area that offer the rebates to homeowners who replace their lawns with artificial grass or other water-friendly xeriscape alternatives. Visit the following Web sites for more information:

Glendale: up to $750 for an existing homeowner, $200 for a new home, (http://www.glendaleaz.com/waterconservation/landscaperebates.cfm) and $3,000 for a business, homeowner associations or multi-family property (http://www.glendaleaz.com/waterconservation/nonresidentialrebate.cfm)

Scottsdale: up to $1,500 for a residence (http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/WaterConservation/turf-res.asp) and up to $3,000 for a commercial property (http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/WaterConservation/turf-com.asp)