Santa Margarita Water District Turf Removal Rebate Program: Water Savings Analysis from 2013-2019

With unpredictable climate patterns, droughts, and increasing population putting stress on water supplies, water saving measures enforced by water purveyors will become essential to keep up with demands and to maintain functioning communities. The Turf Removal Rebate Program offered by the Santa Margarita Water District incentivizes the removal of natural turf for drought tolerant, or water wise landscaping, and was analyzed to determine statistical significance of water savings from program participants compared to a non-participating control group comprised of similar housing characteristics and proximity. T-tests were used to determine the significance of water saving between participants and controls. Multiple linear regression models were created to determine if program participation was the most significant contributor to water savings compared to specified housing characteristics, climate variables, and watering restriction mandates due to the 2011-2017 drought. This study concluded that, even with district wide water usage declining, participation in the rebate program contributed to statistically significant water savings and was the most significant factor to explain water savings during the 2013-2019 study period. It is estimated that replacing 1 square feet of turf-grass can save approximately 35 gallons of water/year. Participants saved an average of 4 CCFs/month/household, compared to an average of 2 CCFs/month/household by non-participants. Strict water conservation mandates narrowed the savings gap between participants and non-participants; however, participants always saved more water.