Mesa, Arizona, is taking proactive steps to address the persistent drought in the Southwest by offering over $1,000 in incentives to its residents for transforming their lawns into water-efficient landscapes.
The city is encouraging homeowners to switch from water-intensive grass yards to low-maintenance plants that require less water
Through its Grass-to-Xeriscape Landscape Incentive program, Mesa aims to help single-family residential customers reduce their outdoor water consumption by half or more by replacing thirsty lawns with landscape plants suitable for the Sonoran Desert climate. The city recently increased the incentive amounts and tweeted the good news, stating that homeowners who remove their grass can now qualify for up to $1,100.
Mesa’s incentives are regarded as some of the most generous in the East Valley. The program, which has been in place since 2007, had not seen an increase until now. According to Becky Zusy, the City of Mesa Conservation Coordinator, homeowners can earn cash rewards by replacing more than 1,000 square feet of grass with low-water use plants and at least two trees that meet the water criteria. Even smaller lawn areas swapped out with xeriscaping can earn up to $750, making it an attractive option for homeowners with limited yard space.
Xeriscaping, a landscaping technique that minimizes or eliminates the need for irrigation, can reduce water usage by as much as 50% compared to traditional grass lawns.
Residents have been enthusiastic about the incentive program, citing the beauty of their transformed yards
Amador Gonzalez, a Mesa resident, shared his positive experience of converting his Bermuda grass lawn into a natural desert-scape environment with numerous plants and trees, noting the remarkable transformation.
To determine eligibility for the incentive, Mesa residents can visit the city’s website. The initiative has garnered support and praise from locals, with one resident expressing excitement over the xeriscaping incentive on social media, calling it “awesome.” By encouraging the adoption of low-maintenance plants and xeriscaping techniques, Mesa aims to alleviate the strain on local water supplies while helping residents create beautiful and sustainable landscapes.