Californians ripping out lawns for drought rebates

LOS ANGELES, June 27 (UPI) -- Southern Californians are raking in up to $6,000 for tearing up their sod due to a new rebate incentive by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, encouraging residents to rip up their lawns in response to the severe drought the state is facing.

Around 5,000 traditional grass-filled lawns are disappearing each month, instead being replaced with drought-tolerant plants.

"What we're really trying to do is get a change in people's hearts and minds," Jeffrey Kightlinger, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's general manager, told CNN. "We really want people to shift how they think about outdoor water usage, their garden and their lifestyle in Southern California."

A 25 percent reduction in water use for urban water users was put into effect earlier this year by Gov. Jerry Brown.

The consortium district, better known as MDW: "http://www.abc15.com/news/national/california-drought-rebates-offered-for-ripping-out-lawns" target="_blank", the wholesaler responsible for providing water 17 million people in the state, estimates around $450 million in rebates will be sent out by the end of 2015.

According to CNN, MDW had higher than expected sales during the water crisis, allowing them to afford the rebates.

"I said, this is ridiculous not to do it, because it is not going to be any money out of my pocket," Raymond Aleman, 71, told the Desert Sun. "When I look out, I marvel at the idea I did it and it looks so nice."

MDW estimates 50 percent of water goes toward lawn care in Southen California.