ALBUQUERQUE, Nov. 18  –  Xeriscape rebates will increase in 2012 for Water Authority customers, going from $.75 per square foot to $1.00 per square foot starting on Jan. 1.

“Given the ongoing drought, it is more important than ever to replace thirsty turf with desert-friendly xeriscaping wherever it makes sense to do so,” said Katherine Yuhas, conservation officer for the Water Authority.  “Increasing out xeriscape rebate offers a positive incentive to get out there and get rid of that grass.”

The rebate increase was one of several changes to the xeriscape rebate program approved by the Water Authority’s governing board at its November meeting.

Other changes include making permanent a pilot program offering $1.50 per square foot to commercial and other non-residential customers for turf removal in small areas (less than 10 feet in any dimension) and steep slopes (6:1 or greater).

“The success of our X2 pilot program in this area convinced us that we should ask our board to make the program permanent,” said Yuhas. “Small spaces and steep slopes are notorious water wasters because they cannot be irrigated efficiently.”

Finally, a new “Save the Trees” rebate pilot program will begin in 2012, aimed at preserving trees during the current drought.  It will offer 25 percent off the cost of tree irrigation equipment, fertilizer or professional tree care up to $100 per residential account and up to $500 for other accounts.