Xeriscape rebate program

See below for enhanced commercial rebates. Receipts for plant purchase, irrigation equipment, mulch, or a landscape contractor if used , shall be provided at final inspection. Any turf grass removed must be designated high water use according to our Xeriscaping Guide plant list, and currently watered with spray-type irrigation.

For rainwater harvesting gardens, select qualifying Rainwater plants RW from our Xeriscaping Guide plant list and claim the mature plant area referred to as rebate allowance. Existing plants, such as trees may be incorporated into the design and contribute to the rebate allowance total, provided they are on the Xeriscaping Guide plant list and are listed as rainwater RW water use.

All irrigation water for the plants in the Rainwater Harvesting Garden Applications shall be delivered through active or passive rainwater harvesting methods. Passive methods include contouring the land to direct rainwater to desired planting areas.

Active methods are collecting the water in cisterns and then distributing to plants. You can receive additional rebates for rainwater harvesting cisterns purchased. You shall cover the soil between and beneath the plants with a minimum 3 inches of mulch.

Commercial customers may qualify for enhanced rebates when replacing high water use turf grass in small areas 10 feet or less in any dimension , on steep slopes at least , or develop a rainwater harvesting plan. Must meet all program requirements. Receipts for plant purchases, irrigation equipment, soil amendments, or landscape contractor if used , shall be provided at the final inspection. Use the approved Rainwater, low, and medium water usage plants from our Xeriscaping Guide plant list.

List each plant using the scientific name and rebate allowance points on the application. Use the graph paper provided to draw a simple landscape plan, or submit plan designed by a professional. We will post a credit to your utility account, after your application has been reviewed and approved. It may take up to 2 billing cycles. Andy Lombardo conservation peoriaaz. We recommend that you consult your tax advisor for further information.

Shade is the key to keeping you cool in the desert. Shading keeps areas 10 to 25 degrees cooler. Lawns feel cool because so much water is evaporating from them. There are dozens of water-efficient trees and vines that can be used to shade south and west exposures from our relentless desert sun.

A water smart landscape with very dense plantings uses less than half as much water as a lawn. The emitters on your drip irrigation system have very small openings for the water to pass through. The filter prevents sediment from clogging your emitters, ensuring your plants will get the correct amount of water. A pressure regulator keeps the irrigation system at the manufacturer's recommended pressure usually between 20 and 40 pounds per square inch.

Not installing a pressure regulator may cause fittings and lines to fail, creating wasteful breaks and leaks in your system. Since the purpose of the program is to reduce existing water demand, you must be currently maintaining a grass lawn.

Do not remove the grass until after SNWA completes the pre-conversion visit or your conversion will be ineligible. An SNWA staff member must validate the turf areas before you start your project. If you quit watering well before sending in your application, there is still a possibility you might qualify. Our staff will make a determination during the pre-conversion site visit.

If you're planning to use a sod cutter or to remove the sod by hand, you'll find it much easier to remove if the soil is moist. Also, simply withholding water from Bermuda grass is not adequate to kill it. To kill Bermuda grass with chemical herbicide, it must be actively growing.

This program provides an incentive to convert grass to alternative types of landscaping, including trees, shrubs and groundcovers. These use less water than even the lowest water-use grass. However, the Water Authority does encourage homeowners to use low water-use grass in those areas where grass is needed or desired.

One of the seven principles of water smart landscaping is functional lawn areas. You don't have to eliminate your entire lawn to participate. Some conversion projects simply involve creating a buffer area around the edge of an existing lawn. To determine where you might have nonfunctional turf, ask yourself: "When people walk on this grass, are they most likely to be pushing a lawn mower?

Nevada Revised Statutes prevent a homeowners' association HOA from restricting the installation of water-saving landscape. In some cases, your board may not be aware of the potential conflict between their covenants and the law.

In every case, your HOA is still likely to have some say in the design of your landscape. To avoid problems, be sure you follow all appropriate HOA policies that may apply to your new landscaping project. The most common types of mulch are decorative rock or bark. Mulch helps maintain the moisture level and the temperature of the soil. Without mulch, wind and heat would pull the moisture out of the soil and more water would be needed to keep your plants healthy. Also, the temperature of the soil would constantly fluctuate causing a lot of stress to your plants.

Some of the other benefits include the reduction of weed growth, erosion and certain insect diseases. The Water Smart Landscapes program does not require particular plants, only that when fully mature, the plants cover at least 50 percent of the converted area. You can use any plant you want to meet this requirement, but we encourage the use of drought-tolerant plants.

You also should consider keeping your existing trees because they provide shade to your home and landscape. We offer a list of the most common plants used in Southern Nevadan landscapes. The list is sorted by both plant common names and botanical names.

The list includes the mature size of each plant in square feet to help ensure you meet the 50 percent canopy coverage requirement. You also should check out our interactive Plant Search feature. This resource allows you to search for plants based on needs such as sunlight exposure, season of bloom and water requirements. Our program is focused only on the removal of grass.

However, you can water most shrub beds more effectively by converting the irrigation system to drip irrigation. We will only count those plants that are either currently planted in the grass or those that are added to the area where the grass is to be removed, such that the trunk or stem of the plant is in the converted area. This program encourages the use of water efficient landscaping, and we want that landscape to be attractive in order to encourage others to do the same.

Trees, shrubs and groundcovers provide shade, absorb carbon dioxide, supply oxygen, reduce soil erosion, give wildlife a home, decrease energy use, lessen noise pollution, lower air temperatures, reduce storm water run-off and a host of other benefits. Water-smart landscaping is so much more than rocks and cactus. There are more than plants that are resilient enough to tolerate our harsh environment and soils with a little help.

With proper design and plant selection, you can accomplish almost any look or feel and still save water. If you fall into this category, please note that the new rebate amount and increased maximum will be the only change to your application.

The program time-restriction for completing your project remains at 12 months from the date the SNWA signed your application. If you have completed the program and received your rebate check, the Water Authority has satisfied the original agreement terms. Therefore, the new rebate amount does not apply.

Rebate amounts will not be retroactively modified. Rebates will not be retroactively modified. Easements are granted by the property owner and define certain limitations on land use. This Conservation Easement restricts only those portions of your property where you received an incentive for landscape conversion.

The easement "runs with the land," meaning that all owners of the property must abide by the terms and is similar to the type of covenants property owners agree to in most homeowners' associations. You may make changes to your landscape such as replacing or moving plants, changing mulch materials or even undertaking a complete redesign , provided you do not install irrigated lawn or grass, spray irrigation systems, swimming pools, ponds or other bodies of water or water features in any portion of the converted area.

You do not need to notify the Water Authority of changes that do not substantially alter the character of the conversion area. The Southern Nevada Water Authority issues bonds to support conversion rebates.

Desert friendly Xeriscape Conversion. Replace turf grass with desert friendly xeriscape landscaping and receive money back on your water bill. Residential Desert friendly Xeriscape Conversion Rebates.

Do you qualify? Do you have grass turf on your site? Rebates cannot be given to work that is already complete. Click here to set up your online application. CALL Before calling be sure you have set up and filled out your online application. How to Apply? Click HERE to apply. You will need the property address and Water Authority account number as printed on the bill.

You must convert a minimum of square feet to participate. Desert Friendly Xeriscape Conversion Rebate Convert your high-water-use landscape with desert friendly xeriscape landscape and receive a rebate. Click here for Desert friendly Design Templates. Bulk Organic Mulch Not only is organic mulch aesthetically appealing, it helps to protect your trees and landscape by keeping moisture where it belongs in the root zone.

Rebate Requirements Please review the following requirements: 1. Dig into our newsletter Our monthly newsletter covers topics on desert friendly landscape practices, maintenance, irrigation principles, and seasonal tips. Sign Up Today!