Palm Desert & La Quinta Residents Could Get Water Rebate
LA QUINTA -La Quinta and Palm Desert residents who replace the grass on their front lawns with drought-tolerant desert plants can get a rebate on their water bills, the Coachella Valley Water District announced today.
Water district customers who replace up to 1,000-square feet of grass with drought-tolerant plants and install weather-based sprinklers are eligible for rebates up to $2,000, said Steve Robbins, the water district’s general manager.
“Desert-friendly landscaping is the norm in many of the valley’s newer neighborhoods, and many residents already have begun improving their outdoor irrigation systems,” Robbins said. “CVWD’s newest rebate program is designed to assist homeowners who are ready to take the significant step of removing all or part of their lawn.”
La Quinta is currently accepting applications for the residential lawn rebate, while Palm Desert has approved funding to partner in all rebate programs starting March 9. Cathedral City, Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage are expected to offer rebates later this spring.
The district hopes that replacing grass will reduce valley-wide water consumption.
Residents not willing to give up their grassy lawns can be reimbursed for replacing their sprinkler nozzles. Rebates of up to $5 will be available to residents who replace inefficient spray nozzles with water-saving ones, according to Robbins.
The state has mandated a 20 percent reduction in urban water use by 2020, he said.
“Nearly 80 percent of the water used by Coachella Valley residents is outdoors. Encouraging residents to take water-saving measures in their yards and gardens is one more way the Coachella Valley can meet the state requirement,” Robbins said.
Homeowner associations and businesses are also eligible for a rebate up to $5,000 for converting grass to desert landscaping along city streets and up to $10,000 for conversions near perimeter walls, such as those around gated communities.
The water district serves more than 107,000 residential and business customers across Riverside Country, as well as parts of Imperial and San Diego counties.
