ALBUQUERQUE, Jan. 3  –  Xeriscape rebates have increased for Water Authority customers, going from $.75 per square foot to $1.00 per square foot as of Jan. 1.

“Now’s the time to start planning your desert-friendly landscape,” said Katherine Yuhas, conservation officer for the Water Authority.  “Resolve to replace thirsty turf with desert-friendly xeriscaping this spring and you’ll enjoy the most generous rebate we’ve ever offered for turf removal.”

The rebate increase was one of several changes to the xeriscape rebate program approved by the Water Authority’s governing board last fall.

Among the changes is a new “Save the Trees” rebate pilot program aimed at preserving trees during the current drought.  It offers 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.

“With the drought continuing to plague us, many of our community’s trees are not getting sufficient water and care,” Yuhas explained.  “Trees are important for aesthetic and environmental reasons.  They shade plants and buildings, which means less water is needed for air conditioning and irrigation.  We want to encourage folks to take good care of them even if the rest of the landscape is stressed.”

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.”

All xeriscape plans must be pre-approved by a Water Authority inspector in order to qualify for rebates. Call 768-3655 for more information.