If you're driving on Douglas Blvd, you might not realize that the retail center at the 1850 block will save an estimated 500 thousand gallons of water annually, thanks in part to Roseville's
Cash-for-Grass program. With the landscape change, the amount of water saved could provide water to an average Roseville home for more than four years.
Paul Voresis, president of Delta Landscape, has significantly benefited from using available water-saving rebates. They converted approximately 11,500 square feet of non-functional turf into a water-efficient landscape by installing drip irrigation, planting low- to mid-water use plants, and adding absorbent material that keeps moisture in the soil. An astonishing mix (nearly 400) of San Gabriel Fruitless Olive trees, Manzanita, and Carpet Rose shrubs top the rock and mulch, and will bloom quickly with the updated irrigation system.
"I am truly impressed by the professionalism and efficiency demonstrated by the [water efficiency] team, and I look forward to continuing our partnership in the future," said Voresis.
Using two of the
six available commercial rebates for landscape conversion and irrigation upgrades, Paul maximized the city’s financial contribution to the project. With an opportunity to reduce some of the project costs, it proved an attractive option for his business.
"Not only was the process easy to follow, but the rebate payment was also received promptly upon closure," he explained.
A water efficiency team dedicated to the community
The Douglas Blvd turf conversion project is one of many examples of how local businesses can reap the rewards of participating in a rebate program at sustainability.
"The cash-for-grass program has been extremely successful over the years," said Jeff Onderko, water conservation worker at REU. "It’s been great to work alongside business owners, residents, and landscape professionals to realize their goals and to assist them with some of the costs involved with their projects.”
The partnership between Delta Landscape and REU is one of many success stories of how Roseville business owners can take advantage of utility programs to achieve significant environmental and economic benefits. And as an added bonus, the company gains extra notoriety for their sustainable landscaping practices in the community.
A variety of options for commercial customers
Although the Cash-for-Grass program is the most popular for commercial customers, REU offers five additional rebates for landscape conversion and irrigation upgrades:
Drip irrigation conversion: This is a water-saving alternative for shrub areas and anywhere sprinklers are used. Roseville staff suggests using drip irrigation for small, narrow, oddly shaped, windy, or steep areas that are difficult to irrigate efficiently with sprinklers.
High-efficiency nozzles: You can use less water by changing conventional spray nozzles to high-efficiency rotating nozzles. You can easily improve irrigation performance and coverage where too many spray nozzles result in a smaller spray pattern and insufficient pressure.
Weather-based irrigation controllers: During the irrigation season, it is common for conventional timers to apply twice the amount of water plants need. A self-adjusting irrigation controller turns your irrigation system on and off in response to local weather data or actual soil moisture and adjusts your irrigation system daily.
Pressure regulators, sensors, and other water-efficient irrigation equipment: Using a pressure regulator can extend the lifespan of your irrigation system, prevent misting sprinklers, and cut water usage by up to 20 percent for systems over 50 psi. Install rain sensors or soil moisture meters for better control during bad weather and optimize water efficiency with flow sensors and master valves during seasonal watering.
Dedicated irrigation meter: Install a dedicated irrigation meter to separate it from a mixed-use meter, reducing wastewater charges and enabling better water management. This helps prevent overwatering, detects leaks early, and is cost-effective for maintaining a water budget.
For additional information about our commercial rebates, visit
roseville.ca.us/rebates, or call our water efficiency team at (916) 774-5761.