The deadline for non-single-family properties to upgrade their decorative, non-functional grass to drought-friendly landscaping is approaching.
A Nevada law passed in 2021 prohibits the use of Colorado River water to irrigate nonfunctional, decorative grass at businesses, HOAs, and multi-family properties beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
For Southern Nevada, grass irrigation remains the largest consumptive use of water from the Colorado River, which provides 90 percent of our water supplies. The Colorado River remains in a federally declared shortage condition that reduces Nevada’s allocation for the fourth consecutive year.
Properties across the valley have already taken steps toward compliance with the law. Last year, Oakmont of the Lakes, an assisted living and memory care complex, converted more than 15,500 square feet of grass through the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s (SNWA) Water Smart Landscapes (WSL) rebate program, saving more than 850,000 gallons of water annually.
Property managers and owners who have yet to start planning their non-functional grass removal or replacement projects are encouraged to start. The longer that properties wait, the more likely they are to run into complications and delays.
“If you represent a business, multi-family property, HOA or other commercial entity with grass, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible,” said Michael Bernardo, SNWA Enterprise Conservation Manager. “SNWA can provide you with maps classifying that grass as functional or nonfunctional, so you understand how your property is impacted and the rebate programs that are available to you.”
Non-single-family properties are eligible for a cash rebate of $2 per square foot through the WSL rebate program for the first 10,000 square feet of nonfunctional grass replaced with drip-irrigated trees and plants, and $1 per square foot thereafter.
Once fully implemented, the conservation law will help Southern Nevada save 4.5 billion gallons of water annually. Additional information about the Nevada law and the landscape rebate is available at snwa.com.