The first steps in a problem-solving process are to identify the issue and create a plan. And the first step for business owners to ensure their properties comply with Nevada’s nonfunctional grass law is to contact the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA).
Under the law, it is illegal to irrigate decorative, nonfunctional grass using Colorado River water beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
With less than a year and a half before the deadline, property managers are encouraged to plan now to convert decorative grass areas to drip-irrigated landscaping, which uses up to 75 percent less water.
SNWA is the authorized agency that can classify what areas of a property are impacted by the nonfunctional grass law, which applies to all decorative grass found in businesses, office parks, strip malls, retail centers, homeowners association common areas and apartments and condominiums (single-family homes are exempt).
Conservation experts will provide property maps classifying the grass and share information about SNWA rebates and other water-saving programs to help businesses save water and money.
Commercial, HOA and multifamily properties are eligible for a cash rebate of $2 per square foot through the Water Smart Landscapes (WSL) rebate for the first 10,000 square feet of grass replaced with drip-irrigated trees and plants, and $1 per square foot thereafter.
Many businesses across the valley have already taken steps toward compliance with the nonfunctional turf law and some have made changes proactively to reduce water use as part of long-term conservation efforts.
The Quail Air Center began replacing grass through SNWA’s WSL program starting in 2008. Over the past two decades, the business center has replaced more than 32,000 square feet of grass, saving about 1.8 million gallons of water annually.
Find more information about water-saving rebates and the Nevada law at snwa.com.