Residential Turf Removal Program POLICY
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Global Water is now accepting applications from Maricopa Residential customers for our new Water Conservation Program: Residential Turf Removal Incentive Program! Global Water is pleased to provide an incentive designed to promote water conservation by removing grass, thereby reducing our customers’ demand for outdoor water usage. This is an incentive for residents to make the switch from high water-use landscaping to drought-tolerant, low water-use landscaping, for a more sustainable future!
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THIS INCENTIVE?
Eligible customers must be a residential Global Water customer with an account in good standing. The converted property must be located in the City of Maricopa and must be receiving water from Global Water – Santa Cruz Water Company, Inc. (Conversion must be of property within the Global Water – Santa Cruz Water Company active service area).
RULES/REQUIREMENTS
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Must fill out and send a completed copy of an IRS Form W-9 2 to conservation@gwresources.com before applying for incentive online. This form requires submitting your social security number or taxpayer identification number (TIN). The name and address on your W-9 form must match the name on your active GWR customer account.
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Apply online via WaterSmart Customer Portal. Turf grass Identified for removal may be subject to inspection by a GWR inspector.
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Must remove a minimum amount of 250 Square Feet (SF) of live turf grass. Can combine different areas of yard/landscape to meet 250 SF requirement.
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Residents can receive a maximum amount of $2,000 for 2,000 SF of removal.
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Existing turf grass must be growing at a minimum of 50% density (at least half alive) and have a functioning irrigation system (used frequently) as determined by the Global Water inspector.
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Applicants are responsible for the removal of live turf grass and conversion of landscape to drought-tolerant plants.
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After removal of turf, applicants must convert landscape to low water use drought-tolerant plants listed on the Arizona Department of Water Resources Pinal Active Management Area Low-Water-Use/Drought-tolerant Plant List to be eligible to receive incentive.
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Converted landscape must contain three (3) plants per every 100 SF, or a tree per every 100 SF (“Three or a Tree”).
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Applicants must measure SF of desired landscape to be removed.
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Applicants must be the property owner and the named customer account holder to apply and receive incentive.
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Must have existing turf grass at the time of the application, do not begin removal or conversion project until you receive a Notice to Proceed (NTP) from the Global Water Resources conservation staff (conservation@gwrsources.com).
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Ongoing turf conversion as well as new construction does not apply.
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Must submit a Project Completion Application via WaterSmart Customer Portal when the landscape conversion project is complete. Landscape may be subject to post-inspection by GWR staff.
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Artificial turf removal is not eligible for incentive.
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Artificial turf does not qualify as converted landscaping.
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One incentive per property.
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Applicants must have an active Global Water account, in good standing.
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Applicants must ensure that the new landscape complies with all applicable laws, codes, policies, covenants and restrictions.
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Homeowners who are members of Homeowners Association (HOA) must ensure that the new landscape complies with HOA Covenants, Codes, and Restrictions (CCRs).
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Applicants have six (6) months to finish the project from the date provided on the Notice to Proceed.
GETTING STARTED
To apply to participate in the program, first please submit a W-9 to conservation@gwresources.com. After you emailed your W-9, please complete and submit an application for Residential Turf Removal Incentive online via WaterSmart Customer Portal. If you need assistance with the application, please contact conservation@gwresources.com. The W-9 and other helpful information, tutorials, links, and educational resources are provided and found on the Global Water Resources website on the Conservation and Education page, under ‘Rebates and Incentives’, titled “Necessary Documents, Educational Resources, and Demo Videos”.
The Number of incentives awarded each year depend on the availability of Global Water Turf Removal Incentive Program funds. Incentives are awarded 1 on a first-come, first-served basis, in order of completed applications received.
NOTES
IRS regulations require a single customer receiving incentives totaling $600 or more within a calendar year, to submit a complete W-9 form to receive incentive payments. Applicants missing or who did not email the required W-9 forms to conservation@gwresources.com will not be processed. 1099 forms will be mailed to affected customers after December 31st of the participating year. Any questions regarding the taxability of the payment should be directed to a qualified tax professional for additional information.
