Water utilities across the West pay homeowners to replace thirsty lawn with water-wise landscaping. We checked 58 programs in 10 states against each agency's own page, including the ones that are paused or full, so you know where you stand.
Get pre-approval before you remove any grass. Nearly every lawn-replacement program requires photos or an inspection of your living lawn before work starts. Kill or dig it first and you usually lose the rebate.
New Mexico: 1 open lawn-replacement program
As of September 2026, the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority pays $3.00 per square foot of turf converted to xeriscape with inspector pre-approval; the City of Santa Fe offers rain barrel, cistern and irrigation-equipment rebates but no turf-removal rebate.
Xeriscape Rebate
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority
OpenLawn replacement
Amount
$3.00 per square foot of turf removed
Cap
None published
Current Water Authority customer receiving water charges (sewer-only ineligible)
Pre-approval by Water Authority xeriscape inspector before ANY turf removal
Landscape plan listing plants (scientific names) and plant allowance points
All 7 requirements
50% of approved project area replaced with 50% plant allowance from Xeriscape guide plant list
Minimum 3 inches of mulch between plants
Spray irrigation converted to drip, bubbler or hand watering
Itemized zero-balance receipts at final inspection; complete within 6 months of approval
Who qualifies: ABCWUA service area (Albuquerque/Bernalillo County)
City of Santa Fe Conservation & Sustainability Division (Water Conservation Office)
OpenRainwater
Amount
Rain barrels: $12 (50-99 gal), $25 (100-199), $50 (200-499) each; cisterns $0.25/gallon plus bonuses of $0.125/gal (sized for 2-inch rain) and $0.25/gal (indoor non-potable use); rain sensor $40; soil moisture sensor $75; WaterSense ET controller cost up to $400 (up to 12 stations) or $750 (more than 12)
Cap
Max four rain barrels per household; no overall cistern cap published
City of Santa Fe water customers
Apply within 6 months of purchase with receipts
Rain barrels need overflow, secure lid, screen and tap
All 4 requirements
Indoor-use cistern bonus requires code-compliant plumbing, drawings and building permit number
Who qualifies: City of Santa Fe water utility customers
Programs change often, and funding can run out mid-season. Always confirm the current amount on the official program page before you plan. Know a program we're missing? Tell us.
