Water-saving programs
You can save money and reduce your water use through free tips and programs that give you money.
Using our water more efficiently helps us make sure there’s enough water for everyone. This is important even during years when California gets a lot of rain.
Home water-saving tips
No matter what kind of home you live in, you can make small changes to save water around the house. Many cost you nothing to do and can save you money.
How to start saving water
Check out Save Our Water’s free tips about how to save water in and around your home.
Turf replacement rebates
Your benefit
You may be able to get money from your local water agency to replace your lawn, grass, or other turf with water-friendly landscaping. The amount varies based on where you live.
Decreasing landscape watering makes a big difference. In California, 50% of urban residential water is used outdoors. Removing turf can save you money on your water bill.
How to find your program
- Enter your zip code at Save Our Water to find a yard transformation website.
State income tax exemption
Your benefit
Rebates from a water agency, local government, or the state to remove turf is treated as tax-free income on your California state taxes.
How to claim your exemption
- If you use a tax preparation service (like TurboTax or TaxSlayer), find out if it supports FTB 4197. Search for Information on Tax Expenditure Items.
- If someone prepares your taxes for you, tell them you received money for turf removal and it’s tax-free.
- If you do your own taxes or your tax preparation service doesn’t include FTB 4197, obtain the form from the Franchise Tax Board.