Water Smart Landscapes rebate program achieves milestone

Grass converted could wrap around the world

The Southern Nevada Water Authority’s highly successful Water Smart Landscapes Rebate program — the agency’s flagship water conservation initiative that converts thirsty turf to desert-adapted landscaping — has expanded its reach around the world. At least figuratively.

With the recent completion of residential and commercial landscape conversions, the program has surpassed 197.2 million square feet of grass converted in the Las Vegas Valley — enough to roll an 18-inchwide strip of sod around the circumference of the Earth.

“Replacing water-intensive grass with drip-irrigated, water-efficient landscaping is the most effective water conservation measure we have to make our community more resilient and sustainable,” SNWA General Manager John Entsminger said. “Conservation only happens when the community does its part, and Southern Nevada has shown its ability to work collectively in conserving our limited water supply. As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, it is more important than ever that this community continues removing grass and making water-smart decisions about our outdoor spaces.”

The milestone was achieved after residents and businesses completed nearly 67,700 water-smart landscape conversion projects throughout the valley, collectively saving more than 140 billion gallons of water.

For their efforts, the SNWA paid out more than $247 million to program participants since 1999. On an annual basis, the program saved nearly 11 billion gallons of water, equal to about 10 percent of Southern Nevada’s annual Colorado River allocation.

While noting the program’s popularity and success — and observing it has served as a model for similar programs at water agencies across the country — Entsminger cautioned that much work remains to be done.

“There are still thousands of acres of unused grass ripe for replacement in HOA (homeowners association) common areas, streetscapes, medians and commercial shopping centers,” he said. “These patches of grass are untouched except by the landscaper pushing a mower, and they are not the type of luxury our community can continue to afford.”

The average square foot of grass in Southern Nevada requires 73 gallons per year to survive, equivalent to a 10-foot column of water on every square foot of grass. By comparison, drip-irrigated, water-efficient landscaping requires 17 gallons per year. By converting grass to water-smart landscaping, Southern Nevadans saved enough water to fill the Luxor pyramid nearly 400 times.

The program offers a rebate of $3 per square foot of grass replaced with desert landscaping up to the first 10,000 square feet converted per property per year and $1.50 per square foot beyond that. The maximum award for any property in a fiscal year is $500,000.

The SNWA also provides rebate incentives for smart irrigation controllers and leak detectors and coupons redeemable at car washes that recycle water. For more information and to enroll, visit snwa.com.

The SNWA is a regional entity that manages water conservation, water quality and water resource issues for Southern Nevada. Its members include the Big Bend Water District (Laughlin); the cities of Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas and North

Las Vegas; the Clark County Reclamation District; and the Las Vegas Valley Water District.