Local water officials categorize synthetic turf as mulch material

Due to a drought alert, the Southern Nevada Water Authority has issued restrictions on water usage and the use of grass in landscape. According to the water authority, no grass is allowed in the front yards of new homes where permits were issued after Jan. 1, 2004, and new grass in the back and side yards cannot exceed 40 percent of the area. In addition, planting of cool season grasses is prohibited from May through August in Southern Nevada.

A waterless option for homeowners who have their eyes set on fields of green is synthetic grass.

"Some of the products look real shiny and it looks a little out of place if it is laid out flat by itself. But if it is used in conjunction with living plants it can work out well. ... They say that the sheen runs off in time," said Doug Bennett, the conservation manager at the water authority.

Bennett said the product can be used as a mulch in the water authority's Water Smart landscape program, which offers an incentive to homeowners who convert lawns to water-efficient landscape at $1 per square foot.

"In January, we had 459 applications for the program and $2.33 million was distributed. The first thing that people who are interested in the program should do is fill out an application. We don't ask for any plans when they apply. It's important that they don't start work on the conversion until after one of our representatives come out to review the site. They'll have six months to complete the project," he said.

Areas where the lawn is converted must have at least 50 percent plant cover, and the area not covered by plants must be covered by a permeable mulch. An efficient irrigation system is also required.

"For mulches, people can use rock, bark, flagstone, paver stone or artificial turf. It just has to be permeable and water has to be able to run through it. And most of the new kinds of artificial turf have been made permeable," Bennett said.

"It is very important for people to know that we do not give rebates for people who are installing artificial turf. But that artificial turf can be a component in a water-efficient landscape that qualifies for a rebate. Artificial turf can help accent the landscape. ... Not all living turf has to be removed for the program. Grass can be good in a landscape if there is a particular use for it."

Bennett did have one concern about artificial turf.

"It can be quite pricey if you consider that the cost starts at $5 to $7 per square foot, compared to the 15 cents to 20 cents per square foot per year that it costs to water, fertilize and maintain real grass."

For more information about the landscape rebate program, call 258-SAVE or visit www.snwa.com.

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