A progressive city-sponsored program that offers financial incentives for Aurora residents who aim to conserve water is catching on, officials say.
The program — now in its fourth year — offers rebates to residents, businesses and homeowner associations that commit to Xeriscape-landscaping options. It provides rebates of up to $1 per square foot for turf grass that is replaced with low-water-use plant material.
About $250,000 has been allocated each year for the program. The city has received about 150 applications each year for the past three years and is hoping for more participation as residents become more familiar with the process, said Mark Cassalia, water-conservation specialist for Aurora.
“We’re seeing a lot of our newer customers being referred from others who have applied for the program,” Cassalia said, noting the program is particularly popular in the Heritage Eagle Bend subdivision in southeast Aurora.
About 25 percent of this year’s rebate funds already have been doled out. That’s about average for this time of year, Cassalia said.
The features of the program this year are similar to years past, with one caveat: water officials are scrutinizing applicants a little more closely now to ensure they will actually benefit from the program, said Jeff Tejral, water-conservation supervisor.
“We are looking for people who will save water,” Tejral said. “If they use very little water, we’ll try to work with them in different ways.”
The city’s water-conservation department hosts about 20 classes each year, courses that are designed to help inform residents about Xeriscaping and the benefits of the city’s program. Residents also can sign up for one-on-one consultation services with water-conservation experts.
“We try to take down as many barriers as we can to help people understand what the process is and what the expectations are,” Tejral said.
City staffers also urge residents to check out the city’s 6-acre Xeriscape demonstration garden, on the east side of the Aurora Municipal Center at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway (the northwest corner of East Alameda Parkway and Chambers Road). It’s open from dawn to dusk daily, and volunteers are sometimes on hand to provide brochures and offer tours.
Call 303-739-7195 for more information.
