July 31 - KGO -- There's nothing like a beautiful green lawn,
well-kept and lush, unless you happen to live in an area with a
chronic shortage of that substance that makes lawns grow -- water. One
water district in north Marin is suggesting blasphemy -- artificial
grass.
Tired of watering and mowing your lawn? Tired of what the scorching
California sun does to your grass? Then meet Jo-Anne Fong of Novato.
Her lawn always looks green. Best of all...
Jo-Anne Fong, Novato resident: "We do nothing... mowing, fertilizing,
ariating, all the things you know you have to do to keep a really good
looking lawn."
A year ago, the Fongs replaced their lawn with synthetic turf --
rippling, dark green polyvinylchloride blades of artificial grass. The
same material now being used on many athletic fields.
It's not the old ugly artificial turf. This is silky and fine, very
much like real grass.
Synthetic turf is the newest conservation measure the North Marin
Water District is pushing.
Ryan Grisso, North Marin Water District: "A customer who has 800
square feet lawns could potentially save around 180 to 200 gallons per
day."
But it's expensive. The price of these lawns range from eight to ten
dollars a square foot.
To encourage home owners to replace their water guzzling lawns, the
district is launching a pilot program. It's looking for six homeowners
who'll agree to put in synthetic turf. To offset the cost, the
district is offering a rebate.
Ryan Grisso: "We'll give them three dollars per square foot, up to
$1,200. So it's 400 square feet maximum. And we're going to try to get
the most highly visible houses we can get."
Jo-Anne Fong is one satisfied customer.
Jo-Anne Fong: "No regrets. No, no. Well worth it we think."
But perhaps the best testimonial comes from her dog Molly who can't
tell the difference between this and the neighbor's lawn.
Posted by GrassEstimate.com