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Get paid to ditch the grass
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We live in a desert. So why are you spending a fortune irrigating your yards?
The latest trend for landscaping in the southwest is minimalist. Xeriscaping is an approach to landscaping that requires little-to-no water and almost no maintenance. Oh, and these days Bernalillo County will pay you to do this.
Studies show that up to 30% of the daily water consumption for American households goes toward watering lawns and gardens. That’s more than 9 billion gallons a day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Statewide, an effort to ban decorative turf failed to pass the Roundhouse in 2023. But Bernalillo County says that their $3 per square foot rebate to ditch turf in favor of xeriscaping has removed almost a half square mile of decorative grass from the city, helping the county to reduce water consumption from 140 gallons per person annually 25 years ago to 121 in 2020.
How do you qualify for the rebate? Before you start the project, apply to the county and an inspector will come out to your property. The rebate is applicable to both residential and commercial properties. Be patient: the inspection may take up to three weeks, depending on how busy the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority is.
To qualify, you must be a customer of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority and be irrigated by a spray system. There’s no minimum amount to qualify, and large projects can be done in phases. The rebate is received as a credit on your water bill. For example, if you remove 500 square feet of lawn, you could receive a credit of $1,500 on your water bill.
Finally, when the turf is replaced, at least 50% of the area must be covered by mature plants that cannot be watered on a spray system. A list of plants that qualify is available at lgmco.com. Leeco Grounds Management can streamline the process with a free consultation. Leeco can be reached at 505-821-2124 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or request a proposal at lgmco.com.
Leeco has served New Mexico for over 35 years with the highest rated service for commercial properties and homeowners associations. It specializes in landscape design and installation, outdoor kitchens, tree care and removal, as well as irrigation installation, repair and maintenance. Leeco would be excited to submit a xeriscape application on your behalf today.
