News
City of Henderson Offers Turf Removal Loan Pilot Program
August 19, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE
PLEASE CONTACT CITY OF HENDERSON NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES, (702) 267-2000
Henderson, Nev. – The city of Henderson City Council today approved a pilot loan program to assist residents in replacing their water-thirsty grass (turf) with water-efficient landscaping.
As a member agency of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), the city of Henderson supports the SNWA Water Smart Landscapes Rebate Program, which offers a rebate of $1.50 per square foot for turf converted to drought tolerant landscaping. Turf requires approximately 55 more gallons of water per square foot annually than water-efficient landscaping.
SNWA estimates up to 30% of residential applicants withdraw from the program before completion, many due to the prohibitive up-front costs of new landscaping installation. The city’s Turf Removal Loan Pilot Program will assist those Henderson residents of any income level who wish to participate in SNWA’s rebate program.
“This turf removal loan program will help those residents who truly wish to conserve water, but have not been able to take advantage of the SNWA rebate program,” said Steve Kirk, Councilman and SNWA Board Member. “Henderson residents and businesses have converted more than 14 million square feet of turf since the inception of SNWA’s rebate program, but we estimate more than 100 million square feet more could potentially be converted.”
The program will offer a loan up to $5,000 at 3% interest, amortized over a seven year period. Eligible applicants must be city of Henderson Department of Utility Services customers, and the property being converted must be their primary residence. Eligible applicants must meet minimum credit requirements.
Applications will be accepted beginning September 2, 2008. Henderson residents may contact Neighborhood Services at 267-2000 and ask for the Turf Removal Program.
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