St. George, Utah Water Conservation Rebates (2025 Guide)

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

The Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD) Water Efficient Landscape Program (WELP) pays $2 per square foot for converting existing lawn to qualifying xeriscape in St. George, Washington, Santa Clara, and Ivins. The rate drops to $1 per square foot for square footage above 5,000. The minimum qualifying area is 300 square feet. The program has paid out over $4 million since launching in late 2022, with more than 2.9 million square feet converted across the service area. Pre-approval and a pre-conversion inspection are required before starting any work.

How to Apply for St. George Water Rebates

Apply on the official site

1
Submit the WELP pre-conversion agreement at wcwcd.gov/welpagreement before starting
Go to wcwcd.gov/welpagreement and complete the Water Efficient Landscape Program participation agreement. Include your property address, the planned conversion square footage, and a description of the proposed water-wise replacement landscaping. Do not remove or kill any lawn before the pre-conversion inspection is completed and approved.
You'll need:
- Property address within eligible WCWCD service area
- Planned conversion square footage
- Description of proposed water-wise replacement plants and mulch
- Confirmation of water source (municipal or secondary, not groundwater)
WCWCD WELP participation agreement
2
Complete the pre-conversion inspection with WCWCD
WCWCD will schedule a pre-conversion site visit after you submit the agreement. The inspector confirms the existing lawn area, measures the planned conversion zone, and verifies the lawn is living. Starting lawn removal before the inspection disqualifies the project.
3
Remove lawn and install drought-tolerant xeriscape
After receiving written approval from WCWCD, remove the qualifying lawn and install drought-tolerant plants and mulch per the approved plan. Photograph the conversion area before starting and after completing installation. Keep all receipts.
You'll need:
- Written pre-approval from WCWCD
- Before-and-after photographs
- Plant, mulch, and irrigation receipts
4
Request the post-conversion inspection and receive your rebate
Contact WCWCD to schedule the post-conversion inspection. The inspector will measure the completed area and verify plant coverage and species. After approval, the rebate is calculated at $2/sq ft for the first 5,000 square feet and $1/sq ft for any area above that, then issued to you.

Apply at wcwcd.gov/welp before starting any work. A pre-conversion inspection must be completed before removing any lawn. Over $4M paid out since 2022 (last verified May 2026, wcwcd.gov/welp).

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Rebate Summary

Rebate Program	Amount	Type
WCWCD WELP (first 5,000 sq ft)	$2/sq ft	Residential
WCWCD WELP (above 5,000 sq ft)	$1/sq ft	Residential

WCWCD WELP pays $2/sq ft (first 5,000 sq ft) and $1/sq ft (above 5,000 sq ft) for qualifying xeriscape conversions in St. George and surrounding cities. Minimum 300 sq ft. Pre-approval required. Apply at wcwcd.gov/welp.

Washington County Water Conservancy District — Water Efficient Landscape Program (WELP): $2/sq ft (first 5,000 sq ft)

WCWCD WELP pays $2 per square foot for the first 5,000 square feet of lawn converted to qualifying xeriscape. Projects larger than 5,000 square feet receive $1 per square foot on the additional area. The minimum project size is 300 square feet. Qualifying replacement landscaping must use drought-tolerant plants and appropriate mulch — artificial turf, swimming pools, concrete, and water features do not qualify. The existing lawn must be living and well-maintained at the time of the pre-conversion inspection. Properties using secondary irrigation water or treated wastewater are eligible; properties sourced from groundwater are not eligible for WELP.

Property located in St. George, Washington, Santa Clara, or Ivins
Property must use municipal or secondary water (not groundwater)
Minimum 300 square feet of living, well-maintained lawn to convert
Apply and receive pre-approval and complete a pre-conversion inspection before starting
Replace with drought-tolerant plants and appropriate mulch
Artificial turf, pools, concrete, and water features do not qualify

Apply / Learn More

Eligible Cities

WELP is available to residential and commercial properties within the WCWCD service area that receive municipal or secondary water. Confirmed eligible cities include St. George, Washington, Santa Clara, and Ivins. Properties on groundwater are not eligible. Contact WCWCD at wcwcd.gov to confirm eligibility for your specific property before applying.

St. George Water Rebate FAQs

Why does the rate drop to $1/sq ft above 5,000 square feet?

WCWCD uses a tiered rate to extend the program budget to more properties. The first 5,000 square feet of each qualifying project receives $2/sq ft; any additional square footage above 5,000 qualifies at $1/sq ft. Both tiers apply to the same project if the total conversion exceeds 5,000 square feet.

My property uses secondary irrigation water. Do I qualify?

Yes. Properties using secondary irrigation water or treated wastewater qualify for WELP. Properties sourced entirely from groundwater are not eligible. Contact WCWCD to confirm your specific water source and eligibility before applying.

How active is the WELP program?

Very active. WCWCD has paid out over $4 million in WELP rebates since the program launched in late 2022, with more than 2.9 million square feet converted across the service area as of late 2024. The program is well-funded and continuing as of May 2026.

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