Utah saves 100 million gallons of water with lawn replacements

• Over 100 million gallons of water saved annually through 2024 conversions.
• $7 million distributed to Utahns who replaced lawns with drought-friendly landscaping.
• Rebates now range from $1 to $3 per square foot in eligible areas.
• New incentives added for smart irrigation and efficient toilets.
• More cities now qualify for landscape conversion funding.

Friday, April 18, 2025 — Utah residents and businesses replaced over three million square feet of lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping in 2024, saving an estimated 100 million gallons of water annually through the state’s Landscape Incentive Program.

The program, led by the Utah Division of Water Resources in partnership with the Central Utah, Jordan Valley, Washington County, and Weber Basin Water Conservancy Districts, is part of a growing statewide effort to promote long-term water conservation in the face of arid conditions and rapid population growth.

“Every drop saved helps us secure Utah’s water future,” said Candice Hasenyager, Director of the Division of Water Resources. “With improved programs and new initiatives, we’re excited to make it even easier for residents to save water and make a difference in their communities.”

In 2024, Utahns received more than $7 million in rebates for swapping out traditional grass for waterwise landscaping. This spring, applications are open once again, and more cities have qualified to participate. The state has also increased funding for certain rebate programs and added resources to assist applicants in making long-term, structural changes to their landscapes.

Expanded Rebates and New Features for 2025.

This year’s incentives go beyond landscaping. Rebates for water-saving devices like smart irrigation controllers and high-efficiency toilets have been increased, encouraging broader household and business conservation.

For those replacing lawns, the rebate has been raised to between $1 and $3 per square foot in qualifying areas. Property owners can check their eligibility and apply through SlowTheFlow.org. The process begins by selecting the “Tools and Resources” tab, entering a location, and following the application instructions.

Application Tips and Eligibility.

For a property to be eligible for participation in the Landscape Incentive Program, it must be located in a community that has adopted qualifying water-efficient landscape ordinances for all new development.

Officials emphasize that participants should not remove or kill grass before receiving approval and completing a site visit. Doing so will void eligibility for rebates.

Rebate checks typically arrive within 6 to 8 weeks after project completion.

Since ordinances vary by location, communities within participating water district service areas are encouraged to work with their local district to qualify for future rounds of incentives.

With another dry summer ahead, Utah’s landscape conversion program continues to demonstrate how strategic changes at the ground level can lead to measurable gains in statewide water savings.

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