Tucson’s new conservation program aims to save water by removing ornamental grass
Water officials in Tucson are launching a new initiative that asks apartment complexes and commercial buildings to remove their grass landscaping and conserve water — in exchange for a rebate from the city. The initiative began this month and offers $5 for every square foot of water-thirsty grass that’s removed. It aims to save more than 9 million gallons of water over the next two years by replacing that turf with more drought-friendly landscaping. James MacAdam, an administrator with the conservation and stormwater resources division at Tucson Water, says water used inside — like to flush the toilet — can be recycled back into the system for other purposes like landscaping. “But when you use water for irrigation, that water’s just being used once. And for us, that’s Colorado River resources that is coming from a long way, takes a lot of money, energy, resources to get it here,” he said. He says asking businesses and apartments to swap ornamental lawn features — like those in parking lots — for drought-resistant alternatives can help tamp down on that type of water use.