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Utah program offers up to $3 per square foot for turf replacement; statewide plant lists and irrigation tools available
Summary
The Division of Water Resources described the Landscape Incentive Program, eligibility paths via regional water districts, links to a statewide Waterwise plant list and an irrigation scheduling tool intended to help homeowners convert lawns to water-efficient landscapes.
Presenters from the Division of Water Resources described the Landscape Incentive Program (branded on-screen as Utah Water Savers), eligibility rules and supporting resources for Utah homeowners who remove turf and replace it with water-efficient landscaping.
Candace Shively explained that the statewide program is administered by the four major water districts; the Division of Water Resources supports areas that lack a local water district. Program guidelines differ by service area, and eligibility can be checked at utahwatersavers.com. "Depending on where you live throughout the state, you could receive up to $3 per square foot for lawn removed and replaced with water efficient landscaping," Shively said.
The presenters demonstrated the Division's Waterwise plant list and a Landscape Water Management tool. Shively showed how users can filter plants by hardiness zone, plant type and water-use classification and noted the plant list will be expanded with photos over time. The management tool (Google Sheet/Excel) allows users to input location, planting area and soil type to estimate gallons needed and suggested irrigation schedules; it does not calculate run times because that depends on emitters and system design.
Shively said the Division will follow up with a resource email linking the plant list, soil-test information (USU), and guidance on drip components (filters, pressure regulators) and vendor examples such as DripWorks. The webinar is part of a monthly educational series; presenters announced the next session will focus on tree care and will feature Miles, the tree specialist with USU Extension.
Questions from attendees covered rebate eligibility by service area, how program rules vary across St. George versus Salt Lake, and practical concerns about drip tubing heat exposure in exposed park-strip installations. On tubing heat, Shively recommended mulching or burying distribution tubing near plants to reduce heat transfer to the emitter and reduce surface degradation.
