Requirements

1. Your landscape irrigation water must be provided by the Water Authority.
2. Any landscape removed must be designated as high water use on the Albuquerque Plant List. A Water Authority Inspector must approve you application before you proceed. Pre-existing low water use landscapes are not eligible.
3. Select landscaping plants from the Water Utility's "How To Guide to Xeriscaping".
4. Fifty percent of the project rebate area must be covered by plants, as they will appear at maturity--not at installation. You select the qualifying plants from the list provided by the Water Authority and claim the mature plant area noted on the approved plant list. Existing plants may be incorporated into the design and contribute to coverage, provided they are on the approved plant list. The Water Authority recognizes the importance of trees by assigning a fixed groundcover value to approved trees.
5. Spray irrigation is not permitted in the rebate area. You may hand water or use drip, soaker or bubbler irrigation systems. If you hand water, plants must be one gallon or larger container stock. Areas watered with sprinklers, including micro-sprinklers, will not disqualify your project, but will be excluded from the rebate calculation. Existing sprinklers may be converted to a drip system. All irrigation systems must have an approved backflow prevention device.
6. You must cover the soil between and beneath the plants with a minimum 2 inches of mulch (3 to 4 inches is recommended). Common mulches are gravel or decorative bark, but other materials may qualify. Impervious plastic is not permitted, unless it is part of a water harvesting design.
7. You will receive a water bill credit of $1.00 for every square foot of qualifying landscape. You must convert a minimum of 500 square feet to participate.

The rebate amount has increased to $1.50 per square foot. Plant coverage must still be 50%, but all of the plants must be from the low water use designation on the Rainwater Harvest Plant List. These plants are native or xeric adapted to live on the 8 inches of natural rainfall that occurs in Albuquerque. A rainwater collection or direction system must also be a part of the plan, which must be approved by the Water Utility's Xeriscape Inspector. In order to allow for root establishment and development, supplemental irrigation is allowed for a two year period for shrubs and grasses, and a three year period for trees.

These types of accounts qualify for a $1.50 per square foot xeriscape conversion rebate. See below for generous enhanced rebates available to commercial customers.

Commercial and Institutional Customers Enhanced Rebates

Commercial account holders who replace turf in small areas (10 feet or less in any dimension) on steep slopes (at least 6:1), or develop a rainwater harvesting plan, can qualify for a rebate of $2.00 per square foot. Call 842-9287 (option #4) for more information.

Steps to Obtain Rebate:

1. Develop a Plan
   Print the Xeriscape Rebate Application Form (1.5MB PDF) , Use the approved plant list to select plants. Draw a simple diagram on the form (see example). List each plant to be used on the form. Use the numbered lines from your list to identify the plants on your landscape drawing.
2. Call 842-9287 (option #4)
   to have a Water Authority Inspector visit you at the property to review your application and to see the existing landscape. When your application has been approved, you may begin your project. Funding will be reserved for the anticipated amount of your rebate.
3. Proceed with your project.
   You have six months after your application is approved to complete your project. You may apply for a project extension if rebate funds are still available.
4. Call 842-9287 (option #4)
   to arrange for a final inspection. Following final approval, the Water Authority will apply the rebate credit to your water bill.

Xeriscaping Information

• Xeriscape Application Form
• Xeriscape Plant List