COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
TURF CONVERSION REBATE PROGRAM APPLICATION
PROGRAM YEAR JULY 1, 2022 – JUNE 30, 2023

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

ELIGIBILITY

All Residential Landscape Rebate Projects must be pre-approved before work begins. Customers must have a green or golden-brown lawn (with full thatch attached) at the pre-site inspection. If you begin or complete your Project before applying and receiving written pre-approval from CVWD, your Project is not eligible for a rebate. No retroactive rebates will be approved. Eligible projects are funded on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no guarantee that funds will be available for an entire Program year (July 1 through June 30). Eligible areas are defined as the area that contains existing turf to be removed, and where the required program features will be installed. The project conversion area must be a minimum of 200 square feet. Applicants will receive a rebate incentive of the actual cost, up to $3.00 per square foot, up to a maximum of $30,000, for completed and approved landscape conversion projects.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. Applicant must be a CVWD customer. Only domestic water customers are eligible for this program. Private pumpers, recycled water and canal users are not eligible. Customers residing within CVWD’s service area who do not have a CVWD account are not eligible for CVWD Programs.
2. Applicant must be the owner of the property site, or be a designated representative with written authorization to represent the property owner. Also, the property owner must be responsible for all water consumption and landscape maintenance of the project areas in which they are applying for.
3. Project areas must have a green or golden-brown lawn and fully functioning irrigation system connected to CVWD’s domestic water system.
4. Applicant’s account must be in good standing.

CONDITIONS

1. Applicant must:
   1. Complete and sign rebate application prior to starting Project
   2. Complete and sign an Internal Revenue Service W-9 Form. The federal tax code treats landscape rebates as taxable income.
   3. Provide a current photo of existing green or golden-brown lawn with full thatch attached for each project zone listed in the application. Exposed areas of dirt with no remnants of grass do not qualify for a rebate.
   4. Submit a Landscape Plan for all Project areas to be converted. Include a minimum of 25% plant canopy at maturity for each area to be converted, with the 25% plant canopy distributed throughout the converted area. Areas that are 2 feet or less in width and are adjacent to a curb or sidewalk, will not be required to have plant distribution. However, a permeable material will be required in order for the area to be considered..
      The plan will include:
      1. Approximate square footage for all areas where your turf will be removed.
      2. Plant list and quantities with locations on the plan for all major plant materials such as trees, shrubs, groundcover areas, etc. Plants and other required elements that are installed outside of the Project area will not count towards the program requirements.
      3. Location and dimensions of new hardscape areas to be installed, such as patios, walkways, retaining walls, etc. Indicate if the hardscape materials will be permeable or not.
      4. Irrigation plan with the type of irrigation and component layout
   5. If applicable, the applicant must submit a copy of their Homeowner’s Association approval letter
2. Applicant agrees to schedule and allow CVWD representative(s) onto the property for the Pre-site and Post- Conversion Inspections.
3. Receive written pre-approval before starting Project conversion. Notification will be sent to the email address on the application or by USPS if none is provided.
4. Receiving pre-approval is solely an estimate and does not guarantee a rebate. Rebate amounts are subject to change and will be determined by verification at the Post-Conversion Inspection using field and aerial measurements.
5. Applicant must complete the Project conversion per the CVWD approved plan, within 90 days after written approval is given.
6. Completed Project will include a minimum of a 25% plant canopy as per the approved Plan.
7. Drip irrigation systems may incorporate subsurface/in-line drip tubing and non-adjustable, pressure compensating bubblers and emitters. Hand watering, adjustable bubblers and emitters are not allowed.
8. No mixed zones are permitted. A mixed zone has different types of irrigation on the same zone. Mixed zones do not qualify for a rebate.
9. Applicant will ensure retrofitted areas have an operating pressure within the sprinkler/drip irrigation per manufacturer’s specifications. This may require installation of a pressure regulator.

PROJECT CRITERIA

1. Grass must be replaced with a combination of desert-friendly plants and permeable landscape surfaces with a minimum of 25% plant canopy distributed throughout the converted area.
2. Plant distribution is not required for turf/grass areas removed and replaced with permeable material for sidewalk and driveway expansions. However, those areas can only account up to 40% of the overall eligible project conversion.
3. Artificial turf projects are acceptable up to a maximum of 10,000 square feet, which equates to a maximum of $30,000.
4. Turf removed and replaced with turf-looking grasses (e.g., kurupia) are not eligible for a rebate.
5. Turf/grass areas removed and replaced with concrete or other non-permeable hardscape, or replaced with all stone, gravel, pavers or decomposed granite yards are not eligible for a rebate.
6. Pavers that are sealed with grout and/or mortar are not considered permeable and will disqualify the site for a rebate.
7. Pavers that are sand filled and/or spaced sufficiently to allow water to pass through can be included in the conversion, so long as all other program requirements are met.
8. Weed barriers must be permeable. Plastic sheeting as a weed barrier is not allowed, and will disqualify the site for the rebate program.
9. All bare or exposed soil must be covered with a 2-3” layer of mulch (acceptable mulch includes compost, bark, wood chip, decomposed granite, and river rock).
10. Existing overhead irrigation systems within the Project area must be capped off and converted to drip irrigation or bubblers. If artificial turf is used, some spray heads may remain.
11. Retained spray irrigation must be on a separate valve from any drip irrigation.
12. All retrofitted areas must have an operating pressure within the sprinkler/drip irrigation per manufacturer’s specifications. A drip irrigation system will require the installation of a pressure regulator or pressure regulating valve.
13. Applicant must submit photos of completed Project conversion for each area included in the application.
14. Applicant will contact CVWD Water Management to schedule a Post-Conversion Inspection upon Project’s completion and will provide copy of invoice or receipt.
15. If the Applicant fails the Post-Conversion Inspection, CVWD will attempt to allow the Applicant to make changes to the Project to comply with the Program and be eligible for the rebate. CVWD will conduct one (1) additional Post-Conversion inspection within 30 days of the failed inspection. CVWD will not provide more than two (2) inspections for failure to follow Program guidelines.
16. After the Project conversion is completed, approved and verified, a rebate check will be mailed to the property owner’s billing or mailing address associated with the customer account within 90 days.
17. The converted Project areas must remain in compliance with all Program conditions for a period of at least five (5) years from the date of Post-Conversion approval.

RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNIFICATION

By applying for or participating in any component of CVWD’s Programs, personal information listed on your application may be subject to disclosure to any member of the public who requests it pursuant to the California Public Records Act.

Neither CVWD, nor its contractors or agents, makes any representation or warranty regarding the contracted services or products that you may select for your Project under the Program. Removal of turf and installation of water efficient devices and plants does not guarantee reduced water use. Any and all claims or causes of action you may have in connection with any defect or failure of performance of any contracted service or installed product or device provided to you for your Project may only be pursued with the contractor you hired or the appropriate manufacturer/distributor.

By participating in the Program and accepting the rebates provided, you thereby release CVWD, its contractors and agents, from any and all claims and causes of action that may arise out of your removal of turf from your property and/or the purchase, installation, and/or use of water efficient devices and plants in connection with the Residential Landscape Rebate Program.

CVWD and its representative will take photos of landscapes being renovated through the Program and may use pre and post conversion photos for reproduction or promotional purposes. Identification location features, such as address numbers, will not be included in any promotional materials.

CVWD is responsible for operating and enforcing the Terms and Conditions of the Program. CVWD also reserves the right to modify the Terms and Conditions at any time within the Program year. As the Program participant, you are responsible for ensuring that your Project complies with all applicable Federal, State, County, local laws, CVWD rules and regulations, as well as applicable CC&Rs and/or HOA restrictions. Quality of work and appearance of the converted area are the responsibility of the participant.

Further, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the CVWD, its directors, officers, employees, contractors, and agents, from all liability and claims of any kind arising out of, or related to, your removal of turf and purchase, installation, and use of water efficient devices and plants in connection with this Program.