Gilbert and Salt River Project are offering local businesses and HOAs up to $6,000 in rebates to remove grass and replace it with low-water-use desert landscaping.

The Gilbert Town Council recently approved the agreement, and SRP has agreed to a dollar-for-dollar match to help fund its non-residential grass removal rebate program, according to a release.

SRP will fund the program up to $15,000 per year for up to five years, a total of $75,000, the release stated.

Gilbert’s non-residential water customers are eligible to earn $2 per square foot of grass removed on qualifying projects up to 3,000 square feet.

This rebate program is part of an effort to reduce the community’s outdoor water use in response to the current water shortage on the Colorado River.

On average, according to officials, grass requires about five times as much water as desert-friendly landscapes.

Gilbert also offers a grass removal rebate program for its residential customers as well as a smart irrigation controller rebate program for all customers.  

All rebates are for new projects only, the release stated.

To see who qualifies: gilbertaz.gov/WaterRebates.