AUSTIN -- It takes a lot of water and money to keep St. Augustine grass looking so lush and green.
Homeowner Louri Oleary's water bill last month was more than $500.
“When your water and electricity bill are the same amount, you start thinking of ways of saving water,” said Oleary.
Her home sits on a corner lot in a Northwest Austin neighborhood. It has a lot of grass which is why she signed up for a new City of Austin landscape rebate program.
“Eventually, hoping to use less water and money,” Oleary said.
In order to qualify for the city's rebate program, you have to stop watering grass and agree to put in a more drought-resistant one. In exchange, the city will give you cash back.
Just how much money will you get back? If you swap out your St. Augustine for Buffalo or Bermuda grass, the city will pay residents $10 per 100 square feet of lawn. If you put in native plants like Texas Sage or Lantana, you can receive $20 per 100 square feet or $30 per 100 square feet for rock landscapes or any kind that doesn't need water.
Jill Mayfield with Austin Water says replacing your thirsty turf could mean using 40 percent less water.
“We're ready to make a culture change away from a St. Augustine culture to a more appropriate landscape for our climate and drought,” said Mayfield.
Merrideth Jiles is the general manager of The Great Outdoors Nursery on South Congress. He says the number of people coming in looking for drought resistance plants is up.
“They want to do something in the yard and want to get some life back there, but they know it wouldn't be wise or cost effective to go with anything that is going to require regular irrigation,” said Jiles.
That is why Louri Oleary believes by swapping out her green grass will be environmentally and financially responsible.
The deadline to apply for the rebate program is Oct. 14. For more information about the rebate program click here.
