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.
Texas: 3 open lawn-replacement programs
As of September 2026, Austin Water (WaterWise Landscape, up to $3,000) and SAWS (WaterSaver Landscape Coupons, $150 each for Fall 2026, plus Outdoor Living and irrigation-removal rebates) run the main turf-conversion incentives; El Paso, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston offer irrigation or rainwater incentives but no turf-replacement rebate.
WaterWise Landscape Rebate
Austin Water
OpenLawn replacement
Amount
Not published — check the program page
Cap
Up to $3,000
Austin Water publishes the cap (up to $3,000) but not a per-square-foot rate on its live pages.
Austin Water customers (or customers of listed qualifying providers)
Approval from Austin Water required before any work
At least 75% of conversion area must be healthy turf grass; dead lawns don't qualify; site visit may be required
All 7 requirements
Native/adaptive plants with over 50% plant cover at maturity
Planting only in spring/fall installation windows
Spray irrigation in converted area capped or converted to drip
Residential: gravel path up to 3 ft wide and gravel/stone patio up to 200 sq ft allowed; artificial turf and permeable concrete ineligible
Who qualifies: Austin Water service area (plus listed participating providers)
Full system removal: $500 (non-functional) or $1,650-$4,150 by zone count (functional); zone removal $350/zone; pressure-regulated heads $100/zone; master valve $200
Cap
Up to $5,000
SAWS residential customers making permanent irrigation changes
Irrigation Consultation required BEFORE any work (210-704-7283)
Offer valid 12 months; 10% bonus if finished and final inspection scheduled within 90 days
$150 WaterSense controller; $200 spray-to-drip/bubbler zone conversion; $200 rotary-nozzle conversion; $600 split zone into bed/turf zones; plus 50% of outsourced labor
Cap
$3,000 combined lifetime
Pilot for pre-selected homes; Dallas says open enrollment comes next fiscal year.
Existing single-family DWU customers who own the property
Existing, functioning in-ground irrigation system (upgrades only, no new systems)
Irrigation System Evaluation required first; no previously performed work
All 4 requirements
Drip zones need pressure regulation, filter, etc.
Who qualifies: Dallas Water Utilities single-family 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.
