With California edging ever closer to a full-fledge drought and water officials warning 2009 could be the driest year ever, it may be time to rethink that large expanse of green growing in front of your house.
As people are forced to cut back their water usage, they may look to get rid of their homes' biggest water user. And sorry, lawn, that's you.
There are several alternatives to a traditional lawn, alternatives that conserve water and help reduce the pollution from mowing traditional lawns. And, by the way, all the alternatives require less maintenance than the lawn you likely have today.
Qualifying homeowners who tear out their lawns in favor of a low- or no-water alternative can get up to $1,000 rebates from the East Bay Municipal Utility District.
So, what are you waiting for?
Artificial grass
A red-blooded American's attachment to green grass is the stuff of legend.
"People don't want to give up their lawns, they just don't," says Scott Ose of the Fremont-based PolyGrass, the company that installed the faux grass in the front and backyards of Jean and David Hansen's home in Orinda.
Jean Hansen says green grass is warm, soft and feels like home. But, she says, the environmentally concerned couple felt guilty about the hundreds of gallons of water they were pouring onto their lawns every month.
So the Hansens replaced 2,000 square feet of lawn