Los Angeles Makes it Harder to Qualify for Water-Wise Landscaping Rebates

LOS ANGELES, CA -- The Board of Water and Power Commissioners today tightened up the criteria for granting turf removal rebates, under which synthetic turf and mulch will no longer be allowed and more rainfall capture features and plant coverage will be required.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power gives out $1.75 for each square foot of grass lawn that is removed. To be eligible for the incentive under the new rules, projects must:

• not include synthetic turf or mulch;
• feature rainfall capture elements such as infiltration and on-site storage for re-use;
• have landscaping in which native or climate-appropriate plants cover at least 50 percent of the converted area when mature; and
• limit rock, gravel and decomposed granite to no more than 25 percent of the converted area.

The changes also include a recommendation for rebate recipients to use natural or organic weed barriers.

Councilman Paul Koretz pushed for the changes.

"As we continue our essential water conservation rebates, we absolutely need to maximize the bang for our bucks," he said. "The watershed approach achieves multiple benefits and, spread widely, can help the city reduce its $8 billion stormwater compliance bill."

The changes are aimed at helping the city reach Mayor Eric Garcetti's goal of cutting imported water use by 50 percent, and attaining other sustainability goals, according to Koretz's office.

City News Service