The grant funds grass replacement rebates for commercial and residential properties and water-saving devices for fire stations.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California received $38 million in federal funding targeted at the agency’s turf replacement program, reports Georgia Valdes in Governing.
The Urban Community Drought Relief program provides turf replacement rebates that range from $2 to $3 per square foot of grass replaced with drought-resistant landscaping. “According to the Metropolitan Water District, this program has resulted in the removal of 218 million square feet of grass to save enough water to serve 68,000 households annually.”
The new funding will also provide rebates to 5,000 residents and equip local fire departments with devices that recirculate water during training exercises.
Valdes notes that synthetic turf, which has been touted as an effective alternative to live grass, can pose health risks due to carcinogenic chemicals. As far back as 2015, Sacramento officials expressed concern about the materials used to manufacture artificial turf.
Read the full story: California Water Agency Receives $38M for Turf Replacement
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