Pilot Water-Efficient
Landscape Rebate Program FAQ's
How much is the rebate?
Who is eligible to participate?
What lawn areas are eligible for the Program?
What plants can I use in my water-efficient landscape?
I already replaced my lawn with water-efficient plants. Can I get a rebate?
Can I receive a rebate for replacing my lawn with artificial turf?
Can I receive a rebate for installing a concrete patio, a walkway or an extension to my driveway?
Can I receive a rebate for replacing an existing dead lawn?
Can I receive a rebate for replacing my high water use lawn with low water use lawn?
Can I receive a rebate for replacing high water use plants other than lawn?
What is mulch and why is it required?
What is the 50% Plant Cover requirement?
Why is there a 50% Plant Cover requirement?
How many times can I apply for the rebate?
How much is the rebate?
The rebate is fifty cents ($0.50) per square foot of lawn replaced. The maximum rebate for single family residential accounts is $500 and for non-residential accounts is $5,000.
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Who is eligible to participate?
The Program is available to residential and non-residential customers, who receive treated water in the CCWD retail and wholesale service area. Customer accounts must be distinctly metered to allow for evaluation of water savings. The applicant’s water account must be in good standing.
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What lawn areas are eligible for the Program?
Lawn areas to be converted must be front yards or areas visible to the general public. No backyards or areas that are not visible to the public are eligible. One of the goals of the program is to provide visible examples of water-efficient landscapes to the community.
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What plants can I use in my water-efficient landscape?
Plants must be on the CCWD Approved Plant List. These plants are drought-tolerant and adaptable to our local climate and soil type. The list can be found here. Plants that are not on the list may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
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I already replaced my lawn with water-efficient plants. Can I get a rebate?
No. The program is not retroactive and cannot provide rebates for projects that were started prior to receiving a Notice To Proceed letter. The Program is intended to provide an incentive to retrofit existing lawns.
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Can I receive a rebate for replacing my lawn with artificial turf?
Yes. If artificial grass is used in any part of the conversion, the artificial grass must be installed by a licensed contractor. The contractor must install the artificial grass in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation specifications. The installation must be permeable to water and air. No patio carpet or “Astroturf” type products are allowed. NOTE: the 50% plant cover requirement listed in the Terms and Conditions still applies. This means that converted areas must contain enough plants to cover at least 50% of the area with living plant cover when the plants are fully grown.
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Can I receive a rebate for installing a concrete patio, a walkway or an extension to my driveway?
No. The program does not allow non-permeable hardscape. However, permeable hardscape, such as gravel, brick or flagstone with permeable, mortar-less materials for grout lines (such as sand and gravel) are allowed. Keep in mind that the conversion area must still meet the fifty percent (50%) living plant coverage requirement.
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Can I receive a rebate for replacing an existing dead lawn?
Maybe. The purpose of the Program is to reduce existing water demand. Lawn areas to be removed must be currently maintained and in healthy condition, and be irrigated by a sprinkler system in good working order. However, because of the current drought, it is understood that some customers may have let their lawns die to conserve. These applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
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Can I receive a rebate for replacing my high water use lawn with low water use lawn?
No. This program provides incentive to convert lawns to alternative types of landscaping, including trees, shrubs, groundcovers and native bunch grasses. These use less water than even the lowest water use lawn.
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Can I receive a rebate for replacing high water use plants other than lawn?
No. The Program only credits the lawn that is removed.
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What is mulch and why is it required?
The most common types of mulch are bark chips, shredded bark and wood chips. Non-organic materials, such as rock or decomposed granite, can also be used as mulch. Mulch will reduce the amount of water that evaporates from the soil. It also acts as an insulating layer, keeping the soil cooler in the summer. Finally, mulch keeps the weeds down. The program requires that converted areas have a minimum of two inches (2”) of mulch in all planting areas.
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What is the 50% Plant Cover requirement?
Upon completion and continuing for the five year term of the agreement, converted areas must contain enough plants to cover at least 50% of the area with living plant cover when the plants are fully grown. To determine if your landscape plan will meet this requirement, check the mature growth size for each plant you are using. You can find many plants listed in the Sunset Western Garden Book, or ask your local nursery. For example, a retrofit of a 1,000 square foot lawn must contain a sufficient number of plants installed so that at maturity, the plants cover at least 500 square feet.
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Why is there a 50% Plant Cover requirement?
The primary goal of the program is to reduce water use by removing water thirsty lawn. This program encourages the use of water-efficient landscaping. Trees, shrubs and groundcovers provide shade, absorb carbon dioxide, supply oxygen, reduce soil erosion, give wildlife a home, decrease energy use, reduce storm water, and save water.
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What type of irrigation system do I need to use?
If you are installing irrigation for the new landscaped area, it must be a drip system. The drip system must include a pressure regulator, filter and pressure-compensating emitters. If only part of the lawn is converted, the remaining lawn must be irrigated separately from the new landscape and the sprinkler system for the lawn must be modified to eliminate overspray onto the new landscaped area.
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How many times can I apply for the rebate?
Eligible customers may participate one time per water account.
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Call 925-688-8320 for more information.
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