How to Get the Turf Removal Rebate Program

What you get

The Coachella Water Authority & Sanitary District (CWASD), the City of Coachella water utility, pays $3 per square foot of potable-irrigated turf removed and replaced with water-friendly plants, up to $3,000. The converted area must reach at least 50% living plant cover at maturity (trees do not count), spray and rotor irrigation must be retrofitted to low-volume drip, and artificial turf and mulch-or-rock-only conversions do not qualify. Funding is limited and first come, first served. Separate from Coachella Valley Water District, which runs its own turf program (Coachella Water Authority & Sanitary District, Conserve Coachella, last verified September 2026).

• Residential: $3 per square foot of turf removed, up to $3,000

Are you eligible?

• Be a Coachella Water Authority & Sanitary District customer
• Property located in: Coachella
• Property receives water service from the City of Coachella (CWASD)
• Property owner applies, or submits a written letter of agreement from the owner
• Application approved and a rebate reservation issued before any turf is removed; reservations are valid 120 days
• Turf currently irrigated with potable water
• At least 50% living plant cover at maturity, trees excluded; no live turf left in the converted area
• Spray and rotor irrigation retrofitted to low-volume drip
• Artificial turf and mulch-or-rock-only conversions are not eligible
• Contact CWASD first if removing more than 1,000 square feet or converting more than 50% of the irrigated area
• Keep the conversion in compliance and maintained for 5 years or repay some or all of the rebate

What applying usually looks like

A general guide. Always confirm the exact steps on the official program page, since each provider runs its process a little differently.

1. 1

   Apply and get written approval first

   Submit your application to Coachella Water Authority & Sanitary District and wait for written approval before you remove any turf or start work. Starting early is the most common reason a rebate is denied.

2. 2

   Do the conversion

   Replace your lawn with the qualifying landscaping, following the eligibility requirements above.

3. 3

   Submit your claim

   After the work is done, submit your claim on the official program page. Confirm the exact forms, receipts, and any photos they require there, since those vary by program.