Zone 7 Water Agency, the region’s water wholesaler and majority provider, encourages community members and businesses to replace grass lawns, which require significant amounts of water and fertilizer, with drought-resistant native or low-water-use plants through its Water-Efficient Landscape Conversion Program. Recently the agency significantly increased the amount available for two of its rebate programs. The Lawn Conversion rebate was doubled to $2 per square foot. The maximum rebate was increased to $3,000 for single-family and multi-family properties, and to $20,000 for commercial properties. All lawn conversion projects must be approved in advance to be eligible for the rebate.

The agency “will pay you to remove large sections of thirsty, water-greedy irrigated lawn and convert the area to an attractive water-wise alternative,” officials say. For Smart Irrigation Controllers, the new rebate is up to 50% of the cost, with a maximum rebate of $125 for both single-family and multi-family residential properties. Zone 7 will continue to offer its smart controller rebate to commercial properties at 50% of the cost, up to a maximum of $3,000. Conventional irrigation controllers often apply more water than landscapes really need. Smart controllers self-adjust based on local weather data or soil moisture readings, so the landscape is watered only when needed. They are easy to install, simple to program, and automatically adjust to meet current conditions. Smart controllers help ensure plants are healthy by allowing users to tailor watering to their landscape’s specific needs.

“In inland suburban communities like ours, lawns account for 50 percent or more of annual residential water consumption statewide,” according to General Manager Valerie Pryor. “We want to help our customers save water and enhance their yards with a landscape that is not only drought tolerant, but also beautiful and beneficial to our local ecosystem.”

The agency will continue offering its pool cover rebate at 50% of the cost, up to $100, and high-efficiency washing machine rebates of up to $200. Zone 7 works with local water retailers, the City of Livermore, City of Pleasanton, and Dublin San Ramon Services District to provide these rebate programs to support community conservation of water. Residents and businesses should check the Zone 7 website for specific eligibility requirements for each rebate program, based on their area and water retailer.

To qualify for the Water-Efficient Lawn Conversion Rebate, for example, a resident must be a potable water customer in good standing with Livermore Municipal Water, the City of Pleasanton, or Dublin San Ramon Services District. According to officials, the area to be converted must currently be receiving regular sprinkler irrigation. To participate, residents must convert at least 100 square feet of lawn that is visible from the sidewalk with low or very low water-use plants such as drought tolerant California native and Mediterranean plants. Backyard lawn conversions can also qualify, provided a minimum of 200 square feet of lawn is converted in the backyard.

Zone 7 Water Agency is one of the 10 active zones of the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. In 1957, Zone 7 became a special district governed by a seven-member board of directors. Along with flood protection, Zone 7 supplies water to all of eastern Alameda County and a population of over 250,000 residents. Treated water is sold wholesale to local retailers, including the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton, the Dublin San Ramon Services District, and the California Water Service Company.

For more information about Zone 7 Water Agency, please visit www.zone7waterca.gov. 

For more information about rebate programs from Zone 7, please visit www.zone7waterca.gov.​​​​​​