Turf Buy Back Program Fact Sheet
The intent of the turf conversion incentive is to reduce outdoor water use and promote water wise irrigation habits. Unfortunately, the success of this program has led to all of our budgeted funds being expended through June 30, 2012. While we are not accepting TBB applications, we’d like to add your name and address to a list of citizens who have inquired about the program so we can get back to you with any updates. Please contact Jeff M. Hall, Water Conservation Technician, at (919) 380-2147 or jeff.hall@townofcary.org.
Details
- The incentive is a one-time, $500 per property payment issued to qualifying customers.
- Eligible applicants are Town of Cary utility customers who convert at least 1,000 square feet of historically irrigated turf to natural area or warm-season grass.
- Customers may obtain applications from the Town of Cary website, the Public Works and Utilities Operations Center on James Jackson Avenue or the Finance window at Cary Town Hall. Applications may be submitted via e-mail, fax or postal mail.
- Incentives will be issued within four weeks of post-conversion site verification that denotes establishment.
Turf eligibility
- Turf area must be historically irrigated with potable water. To verify irrigation water use, customers must have at least a year of historical water use records starting on or after January 2006 that indicate a minimum average monthly water use of 2,500 gallons per month for irrigation.
- To demonstrate eligibility of conversion area, customers must submit a description of their conversion project along with their application. Customers must provide copies of receipts for projects.
- If appropriate, customers should review conversion plans with their homeowners' association (HOA) before applying.
- To establish new landscape, customers may apply for a 45-day exception permit from alternate day watering restrictions. After this period, customer water budgets will be reduced by 25 percent for natural area and 21 percent for warm season turf.
Terms of the program
Submission of application indicates customer agreement with the terms of the program. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012 or until funds are expended.
Accepted applicants must sign a contract agreeing to the conditions of the incentive program:
- Installation of new landscape within 90 days of approval
- A reduction in water budget (residential customers only)
- A post-conversion site visit
- Follow-up by Town staff to evaluate irrigation use
Participants must schedule a post-conversion site review to confirm successful establishment of replacement landscape. At this time, staff will also explain water budget reduction and provide resources about maintaining waterwise landscapes and appropriate irrigation practices.
The reduction in water budget is an agreement between the customer and the Town of Cary and will not transfer with the property after re-sale.
Instructions for calculating your average monthly water use and suggestions for implementing a successful conversion are detailed on the Turf Buy Back program guidelines.
Contact
For more information, call Jeff Hall, Water Conservation Program Specialist, at (919) 380-2147.
