Here is a juicy secret: The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) will give you money for taking out your grass lawns. It sounds too good to be true, but it's true. You can create a beautiful water-sipping, drought-resistant yard, get paid for it, and pay less for your water.
The EBMUD and CCWD rebates for a lawn-to-garden transformation for commercial, municipal, and residential properties are very similar, but check out each website for more details. You can also get rebates for mulch, water-saving pool covers, greywater systems, landscape consulting, water-sipping plant advice, and more.
Here are the basics of lawn replacement: Receive up to $2,000 over two years for lawn-to-garden replacement. Single-family residential rebate rates start at $1 per square foot. Multifamily buildings and commercial property owners can get rebates for lawn conversion as high as $20,000. You must have an existing lawn irrigated by your water utility, and you must apply for and be approved for the work before starting your project. The rebates are not after the fact.
Why Nix the Lawn?
California has been in drought conditions off and on for years. Because of the deep accumulation of winter snow in the Sierra, reservoirs are full, and water is not top-of-mind these days. When Governor Newsom asked Californians to save 15% of their indoor water use from July 2021 until March 2023, compared to 2018, the state, on average, saved about 7%. The Bay Area did better—saving about 10%. Back in the day, during the 2012-2016 drought, when Governor Brown asked Californians to save 25% on their water use, we rose to the challenge, saving 24.5%.
We can't afford to slack off! According to the Public Policy Institute of California, about 50% of the available water goes to the environment, which keeps our rivers flowing. Ten percent goes to communities, and 40% goes to agriculture. At least half of the water we use at home is used on landscaping. Estimates are that lawns use about 50% more water to stay green than other plants.
Other options for saving water outside at home include weather-controlled irrigation systems, watering at night, and letting your lawn turn brown (thus signaling your virtue to your neighbors).
What About Dogs and Kids?
The American Kennel Club recommends that dog owners who want to save water but still have a play area for their beloved pets use ornamental grasses, artificial turf, or gravel. They recommend shaded areas and making some water available to the animals.
But gravel for kids? Don't kids' knees already take enough punishment? It would be best to find something that attracts kids outside on a sunny day and away from their digital devices. Drought-tolerant and water-wise grasses may be the best answer. Ask the experts: UC Davis offers information on close to 100 varieties of ground cover and native grasses. And drought-tolerant plants can be more interesting and lovely to look at than a sod lawn.
A company called Smart Plants suggests a "Thyme Lawn" that is low-water, low-maintenance, and good for dogs and children. A thyme lawn has a unique benefit: When your dogs (or kids) roll around in it, they smell good!
Photo by Jim Gunshinan
Replies