Tampa Residents Transform their Lawns to Save Water and Money News General, News Sustainability & Resilience, News Water Department Money collected from watering fines is[...]

Money collected from watering fines is funding the Tampa Water Department's first Florida-Friendly Landscaping Incentive Program and one year since its launch, participating homeowners are enjoying significant savings in their water bills.

Tuesday morning department officials will be delivering a rebate check to one of the program's first participants. Tampa resident Chris Kern is receiving a $1,654.51 rebate check for converting a portion of his lawn from traditional turfgrass to Florida-Friendly Landscaping™. The dollar-for-dollar matching rebate helps offset the cost of labor and plants associated with the project.

The incentive program is funded by money collected from water restriction violation fines. Tampa has year-round watering restrictions, with additional limitations in place during periods of drought. Using violation fees to fund the program helps reinvest those dollars into efforts that encourage more water-efficient landscapes. In the case of many Florida homeowners, irrigation accounts for 50% of their water use.

"We all understand the importance of making the most of our drinking water. Programs like this help our community see that they can have attractive, head-turning landscapes in front of their homes while still being water efficient," said Tampa Water Department Director Rory Jones.

Through the program, eligible customers can receive these rebates after completing three educational workshops, having their landscape design approved, and passing a final evaluation once the project is complete. As of today, 25 Tampa participants are in the process of converting portions of their lawns to Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ and 12 have completed their projects.

The program was launched in coordination with Hillsborough County Water Resources and UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County. Plans are underway to continue the program and help additional Tampa residents create attractive, sustainable landscapes that use less water.

The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) Program was designed to help residents and business owners create and maintain beautiful yards using research-based, environmentally sustainable landscaping practices. By reducing the amount of traditional turfgrass and incorporating appropriate plants, residents can create landscapes that require less irrigation while supporting a healthier, sustainable environment.