City of Bend again offering turf replacement rebates to convert lawns to low-water landscaping

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- For the second year in a row, City of Bend water customers can receive a Turf Replacement Rebate to convert lawns into a low-water landscape. Demand for the pilot program last year exceeded funding available, so the city increased the next rebate budget for this year.

"The City’s Water Conservation program provides innovative ways to help customers save water and money," officials said in Friday's announcement, provided in full below.

City of Bend water customers can apply to the new Turf Replacement Rebate program and earn $3 per square foot (up to $3,000) to remove currently planted, thriving lawns into low-water xeriscapes. This water-wise type of gardening conserves valuable water resources.  

“Incentivizing the replacement of water-thirsty plants to low-water, drought-tolerant landscapes can save our customers' water bills and reduce the overall water demand on our system, year after year,” said Dan Denning, City of Bend Water Conservation Program Manager. “The City’s Water Conservation program helps Bend customers conserve water without sacrificing the High Desert lifestyle they enjoy.”   

Last year, Denning told KTVZ News, "we expended $126,000 on 58 completed projects, which had a calculated savings of 932,315 gallons.

"This year, I have allocated $198,000, hoping to hit closer to 100 projects," he said, adding that "we currently have 36 approved applications this year."

During peak irrigation season in the summer, Bend's water use can escalate to 26 million gallons per day. Through water-saving programs such as this and other rebate and educational campaigns, the Water Conservation program has slowed the daily demand for water, despite the growth in population, industry and tourism.  

The Turf Replacement Rebate program will continue until funds expire, the city says. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis and an application and approval is required. To learn more, visit bendoregon.gov/conservation, go to Rebates and then Turf Replacement Rebate.