Desert Water Agency: Palm Springs turf‑removal rebates saved roughly 32–33 million gallons; Ordinance 80 sets Jan. 1, 2027 government compliance

Clark Elliott, a representative of the Desert Water Agency, told the Palm Springs Sustainability Commission on March 17 that the city‑funded turf‑removal program has achieved measurable water savings and will play a leading role in meeting state conservation targets.

"With the funding that the city of Palm Springs has put into our grass removal program, we've been able to fund 490,057 square feet in fiscal year 22‑23," Elliott said, adding that that area equates to about 32–33 million gallons saved annually (roughly 100.76 acre‑feet). He said further funding and program streamlining produced 889,482 square feet of conversions across FY23–25, saving an estimated 182 acre‑feet and about 55 tons of CO2.

The DWA representative framed those results in the context of California rules stemming from AB 1668 and SB 606 and the statewide regulation known as "Making Conservation a California Way of Life." Elliott said those standards establish an "urban water‑use objective" that, for DWA, requires a roughly 40% reduction in water use by 2040 compared with current usage.

To implement that trajectory locally, Elliott described Ordinance 80, which prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate non‑functional turf on affected properties while retaining exemptions for single‑family homes and turf irrigated with recycled water. Government properties are listed among affected categories and face a compliance date of Jan. 1, 2027; properties serving designated disadvantaged communities may have a later deadline (Jan. 1, 2031) if they qualify.

DWA will require affected customers to submit a mandatory self‑certification identifying functional and non‑functional turf at least six months before each property’s compliance date. For the city, Elliott said DWA will expect those self‑certifications by June 30, 2026 so DWA can verify compliance on July 1 and begin enforcement where necessary.

Elliott described a graduated enforcement approach: an initial written warning with 30 days to correct deficiencies, escalating penalties with the sixth violation cited around $2,000, and the possibility of re‑inspection every three calendar days for ongoing non‑compliance. He said the agency expects to use automated metering infrastructure (AMI), improved data (including a local weather station), and staff follow‑up to identify likely violations and to work with the city on reasonable transition plans.

Elliott noted the logistical scope for the city: DWA counts approximately 233 meters serving roughly 75 distinct city properties (a conservative estimate when parcels and medians are separately counted), which means multiple departments and staff will likely coordinate to complete DWA’s self‑certification forms. He said DWA will offer some leeway where the city makes good‑faith progress toward compliance.

Commissioners asked for a clearer definition of "functional turf" for complex sites such as Sunrise Park; Elliott said functional turf is defined as turf used regularly for recreational or community gathering purposes, while medians or thin parkway strips will be examined case‑by‑case. Commissioners also raised concerns about HOA and commercial costs, and Elliott said DWA has seen significant HOA interest and is working on commercial outreach and shared presentations for neighboring cities and councils.

The DWA representative said the ordinance text and non‑functional turf resources are available online and that the audit/self‑certification form will go live within a week or two after resolving technical issues discovered during the agency’s internal launch. He also said DWA plans to add a public reporting option to its water‑waste page after deadlines pass and maps of approved/non‑approved turf are finalized.

Next steps: city staff and DWA will continue technical coordination, finalize maps and forms, and schedule outreach for HOAs, businesses and council presentations ahead of the mid‑2026 self‑certification window.