WaterSmart Residential Landscape Rebate Program
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EBMUD offers landscape rebates to single-family residents who convert their lawns into sustainable landscapes. All projects must be approved in advance. Landscape rebates are issued as a credit applied to the EBMUD water service account where the project occurs, except where the person applying for the rebate does not pay the water bill at that site.
Lawn conversion to sustainable landscaping is rebated at a rate of $0.50 per square foot. Sheet mulching only (removal of lawn without planting) is rebated at the rate of $0.25 per square foot. Sheet mulching is a permaculture technique whereby a biodegradable barrier and mulch is used to decompose the lawn in place. The maximum rebate is $1000 per single-family residential account.
The program requires a
pre-conversion inspection of your project before work begins and a
post-conversion inspection of the finished project. The conversion project
must be completed within 6 months of the pre-conversion inspection visit.
Qualifications:
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A minimum of 250 square feet of lawn must be converted.
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Converted area must be served by an EBMUD single-family residential water service account.
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The lawn being converted must be irrigated with EBMUD water. If you have reduced your lawn watering in response to the recent water emergency we will consider your 2006 water use history to determine your eligibility.
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Landscaping beyond existing irrigated lawn area will not be rebated.
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Pre- and post-inspection visits by an EBMUD representative are required.
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If applicant is not the property owner written permission of the property owner is required.
Qualifying Landscape Conversions may include the following:
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Native or climate-appropriate plants that require little or no supplemental irrigation to survive. Plants featured in EBMUD plant book Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates qualify as well as other climate-appropriate plants.
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Permeable hardscape such as pavers, bricks or flagstone set in sand, gravel or decomposed granite. Water must pass through or be absorbed by landscaping materials.
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All planted areas must have at least a three inch layer of mulch.
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If converted area is irrigated, only drip systems are allowed.
Qualifying Landscape Conversions May Not Include the following:
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Plant material that requires regular supplemental irrigation and is not adapted to a summer-dry climate.
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Artificial turf installations and non-biodegradable weed-block material.
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Exposed soil surfaces (exceptions can be made for enhancing insect habitat).
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Overhead spray/sprinkler irrigation systems.
How to Participate:
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Apply: submit an application. Download an application here.
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Complete a pre-conversion inspection visit with a Water Conservation Representative.
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Complete your conversion project within 6 months of the pre-conversion inspection visit.
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Schedule a post-inspection site visit with a Water Conservation Representative.
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Receive your rebate as a credit on your water bill.
Call for a site visit today!
For more information, please e-mail custsvc@ebmud.com or call 1-866-403-2683.