So spring is usually a time of hope and anticipation for homeowners. Seems like they are looking forward to enjoying lush lawns and outdoor landscaping. But this year, spring is likely to be rife with ever-tighter water restrictions. It’s all the result of one of the warmest winters in recorded history and continued drought conditions in many parts of the country. As such, replacing sod grass is a good idea.
Replacing Sod Grass: Winter Data Points to Yes
For the average homeowner, it all combines to make the idea of replacing sod grass with artificial grass more appealing than ever. And many water districts are continuing to offer homeowners rebates and conservation incentives to do just that. NewGrass synthetic grass qualifies for many of these rebates and incentives.
On average, the 2011-2012 winter was the fourth warmest in the United States for the past 117 winters. This, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Yet at the same time, much of the country received less-than-average precipitation.
So for many areas this meant less snowpack than usual, which will have “consequences for spring and summer water supplies,” according to the National Drought Mitigation Center. Also, at least moderate to extreme drought conditions are being felt in the following states.
- California
- Utah
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Colorado
- Oklahoma
- the Gulf Coast
- Florida
- Georgia
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- West Virginia
- eastern New York
- Illinois
- Iowa
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- parts of Washington
In addition, California had the second-driest winter on record. And, by late February, 72 percent of the state was in “moderate” drought. Yet, California had been drought-free at the beginning of the winter. In fact, snowpack was less than half the seasonal average in portions of California, Nevada and Arizona. Therefore, switching to artificial grass makes financial sense.
Rebates Give Incentive
In addition, cash rebates for replacing sod grass with fake grass are available. The list of cities and water districts that offer rebates is constantly changing. The best thing to do is call your local water utility company and ask about their rebate program.
Also,to get an idea of what’s out there, you can visit the Association of Artificial & Synthetic Grass Installers Web site. However, here is information on some of the more established or ongoing programs.
SoCal Water Rebate Program
The Southern California SoCal Water$mart program is one of the country’s most aggressive in offering rebates for synthetic grass installation — and with good reason.
“Turf grass is one of the most water-intensive plants in your landscape,” the agency’s website says. “Its high water and frequent maintenance needs make it a time-consuming, expensive option … Up to 70% of California’s entire residential water supply is applied to home landscapes.”
As a result, the SoCal Water$mart 2011-2012 program is now available. This program will run until April 30, 2012. So if you live in a city that participates in the SoCal Water$smart program, you can receive $1 or more for every square foot of turf that you remove.
Member agencies of the SoCal Water$mart program that offer turf-removal rebates include:
- Anaheim Public Utilities
- Calleguas Municipal Water District / Golden State Water Company
- Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District / Golden State Water Company
- West Basin Municipal Water District / Golden State Water Company
- City of Fullerton
- San Diego County Water Authority / San Dieguito Water District
- San Diego County Water Authority / Sweetwater Authority
Also, the Los Angeles (County) Waterworks District offers a rebate. They include 30 cents per square foot for installing up to 500 square feet of artificial grass.
Other Rebate Programs
In Arizona, several cities and water districts offer turf-removal incentives for residential customers. For complete information, visit the website of the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association.
In Nevada, the Southern Nevada Water Authority will rebate customers $1.50 per square foot. The maximum $1.50 rebate covers 5,000 square feet of sod grass converted per property, per year. Beyond the first 5,000 feet, the authority will provide a rebate of $1 per square foot.
NewGrass® is proud to be an ally in the EPA’s GreensScape Program. Also, we are the only artificial lawn Certified 100% Eco-Friendly. And we feel that speaks volumes.
So with all of these rebates, maybe replacing sod grass is not such a bad idea. Therefore, contact NewGrass for more information. Also, remember, we have the best products in the industry and staff with the experience to help. In fact, we think now is the perfect time to switch. So give us a call and see for yourself. Artificial grass never looked so good! Honestly, we can’t imagine life without it!
