Bend offering $3,000 to replace grass with Xeriscapes | Local News | centraloregondaily.com

The City of Bend is offering water customers up to $3,000 to rip up their lawns and replace them with low-water landscaping.

If you're a Bend property owner who has thought about removing grass and replacing it with landscapting that requires little-to-no water, the City of Bend is offering up money if you rip out your turf. But you'll need to move fast if you want to take advantage.

Starting in this month, City of Bend water customers can sign up for the Turf Removal Rebate. It provides $3 per square foot, with a maximum rebate of $3,000, to remove lawns and replace them with low-water Xeriscapes.

“As the water demands continue to grow in Central Oregon, we need to take additional steps to reduce outdoor water use and meet our goals,” said Dan Denning, City of Bend Water Conservation Program Manager, in a statement. “Incentivizing the replacement of water-thirsty plants to low-water, drought tolerant landscapes save our customers on their water bill and greatly reduces the water demand.”

There are only $75,000 in funds. The program is first-come, first-serve and will continue through 2024 until the funds are used up. An application and approval are required. More information can be found at this link.

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