In an effort to encourage water conservation, the Lower Colorado River Authority is dramatically increasing financial incentives for many residents and businesses in Texas.
Since 2010, the LCRA's customer base has seen more than a fair share of drought conditions. To combat this, the LCRA and the Austin Water have developed programs that promote water-saving projects for homeowners. These projects range from upgrading irrigation systems to converting turf grass to drought-tolerant landscaping.
To encourage even more participants, the LCRA is now offering larger rebates than ever before. In some cases, residents can earn up to $3,000. In a news release, the LCRA announced that it was doubling the rebate for mechanical aeration projects to $200. For mulching and composting, residents can now receive a $1,000 rebate.
The rebate that jumped the most is for installing drought-tolerant landscaping. Residents can now get as much as $2,000, up from $600.
The LCRA expanded on the eligibility: "Most residents and businesses that receive water from an LCRA firm water customer and LCRA domestic use customers with contracts to draw water directly from the Highland Lakes are eligible for the rebates. City of Austin residents and businesses are eligible for rebates from Austin Water."
The release added that "the rebates cover material costs, but not labor or taxes, unless otherwise specified," saying to visit WaterSmart.org to check on eligibility and apply.
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Drought-resistant landscaping, also known as xeriscaping, requires minimal watering due to the use of native plants, which can often be drought-tolerant. The method also takes advantage of efficient irrigation and water-wise design techniques. This approach helps conserve water, reduce maintenance, and increase sustainability during water shortages.
John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of water, explained the reasoning behind the changes. "Up to 70% of water used during the summer months is used outdoors, and that number needs to come down," Hofmann said. "We hope these rebates encourage residents to use technology and take other measures to cut back on outdoor water use, which saves both water and money."
In 2022, Austin experienced its driest year since 2011. The city's yearly rainfall amount was nearly 10 inches below average. Since then, it has dealt with a drought that has threatened the region's water supply. The Live Music Capital of the World is in Stage 2 watering restrictions, which are designed to reduce water consumption by 10-20%.
"This drought is serious, and we need to be thoughtful about how we use water," Hofmann added. "Every bit of water we save helps preserve our water supply in lakes Buchanan and Travis."
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Editor's note: A previous version of this article misstated that the LCRA rebates applied to Austin residents directly. The LCRA clarified to The Cool Down that even though its office is located within Austin, residents and businesses within Austin must go through Austin Water for any such incentives.
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