Xeriscape Rebate Requirements
- Your landscape irrigation water must be provided
by the Water Authority.
- Any landscape removed must be designated as high
water use on the Albuquerque Plant List. A Water Authority Inspector must
approve you application before you proceed. Pre-existing low water use landscapes
are not eligible.
- Select landscaping plants from the Water Utility's "How
To Guide to Xeriscaping".
- Fifty percent of the project rebate area must be covered by plants, as they will appear at maturity--not at installation.
You select the qualifying plants from the list provided by the Water Authority and claim the mature plant area noted on the approved plant list. Existing plants may be incorporated into the design and contribute to coverage, provided they are on the approved plant list. The Water Authority recognizes the importance of trees by assigning a fixed groundcover value to approved
trees.
- Spray irrigation is not permitted in the rebate
area. You may hand water or use drip, soaker or bubbler irrigation systems.
If you hand water, plants must be one gallon or larger container stock.
Areas watered with sprinklers, including micro-sprinklers, will not disqualify
your project, but will be excluded from the rebate calculation. Existing
sprinklers may be converted to a drip system. All irrigation systems must
have an approved backflow prevention device.
- You must cover the soil between and beneath the
plants with a minimum 2 inches of mulch (3 to 4 inches is recommended).
Common mulches are gravel or decorative bark, but other materials may qualify.
Impervious plastic is not permitted, unless it is part of a water harvesting
design.
- For single-family residential rebates, you will
receive a water bill credit of $0.60 for every square foot of qualifying
landscape up to 2,000 square feet. You must convert a minimum of 500 square
feet to participate.
- For multifamily (apartment) and nonresidential
rebates, you will receive a water bill credit of $0.60 for every square
foot of qualifying landscape up to 12,500 square feet. You must convert
a minimum of 500 square feet to participate.
The New Rainwater Harvesting
Landscape Rebate
The rebate amount has increased to $1.20 per square foot.The
minimum remains at 500 square feet, and the maximum is 2000 square feet for
eligible landscape conversions.
Plant coverage must still be 50%, but all of the plants
must be from the low water use designation on the Rainwater
Harvest Plant List. These plants are native or xeric adapted to live on
the 8 inches of natural rainfall that occurs in Albuquerque. A rainwater collection
or direction system must also be a part of the plan, which must be approved
by the Water Utility's Xeriscape Inspector. In order to allow for root establishment
and development, supplemental irrigation is allowed for a two year period for
shrubs and grasses, and a three year period for trees.
Steps to Obtain Rebate:
- Develop a Plan
Print the Xeriscape Rebate Application Form (1.2MB
PDF) ,
Use the approved plant lists to select plants. Draw a simple diagram on the
form. List each plant to be used on the form. Use the numbered lines from
your list to identify the plants on your landscape drawing.
- Call 768-3655
to have a Water Authority Inspector visit you at the property to review your
application and to see the existing landscape. When your application has
been approved, you may begin your project. Funding will be reserved for
the anticipated amount of your rebate.
- Proceed with your project.
You have six months after your application is approved to complete your project.
You may apply for a project extension if rebate funds are still available.
- Call 768-3655
to arrange for a final inspection. Following final approval, the Water Authority
will apply the rebate credit to your water bill.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 09 February 2008 )
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