Pleasant Grove - Unlock Waterwise Incentives

Problem: Pleasant Grove residents are MISSING OUT on state-funded rebates to save money while creating beautiful, water-wise yards. Every city bordering Pleasant Grove is taking advantage of these rebates while we're being left behind.

Solution: Adopting updated Water Efficiency Standards for new construction will enable all residents and businesses to qualify for valuable state-funded rebates and incentives that reward water-smart landscaping, saving water and money.

Action: We urge Pleasant Grove residents and leaders to support these standards to unlock money-saving rebates, improve drought resiliency, and promote sustainable, beautiful landscapes in our city.

Why It Matters

State Rebates such as the Landscape Incentive Program pay Homeowners up to $3 per sq. ft. of lawn removed and replaced with waterwise landscaping and plants. These rebates are already state-taxpayer-funded; this would bring money back into Pleasant Grove.

We can only access these programs if the City adopts Water Efficiency Standards for new construction. These rules do not affect existing homes, just ensures new homes are planned smartly.

If adopted, thousands of Pleasant Grove residents would become eligible for rebates and free programs. The city is mostly built out, so the number of potential residents that would need to meet the new landscaping standards is small compared to the number of existing residents that would benefit from the available funding.

Some Rebates we could be eligible for:

Lawn Replacement - $3.00 per sq. ft. (Note: this is not a rebate for artificial turf or hardscapes)

Receive $3.00 per square foot when you replace your grass with waterwise plants.

Switch to Drip - $1.00 per sq. ft.

Earn a rebate of $1.00 per square foot when you convert to a water-saving drip system in your gardens and flower beds.

Treebate (Tree Rebate) - $50 per tree

Receive a rebate of $50 per tree when you add new trees to your yard. (up to 5)

Toilet Replacement - Up to $150 rebate

Qualify for a rebate of up to $150 and start saving as much as 5.5 gallons per flush when you replace an old toilet from before 1994 with a new WaterSense one through the Utah Water Savers.

Smart Sprinkler Controllers - Up to $100 rebate

Qualify for a rebate of up to $100 through Utah Water Savers when you purchase an eligible smart controller that automatically adjusts your sprinklers to account for weather, soil moisture, and other conditions.

Learn more at the official program website → SlowTheFlow.org - Rebates

Rebate numbers above are based on Pleasant Grove's applicable region. (Website will display monetary ranges.)

Where Pleasant Grove Stands

All bordering cities (and many more) have already adopted the water efficiency standards, and their residents are now eligible for valuable incentives and funding.

Learn more at the official program website and to see full list of eligible cities → UtahWaterSavers.com - Current Areas eligible for the Landscape Incentive Program

Water Efficiency Standards for new construction (Existing Residents not affected)

The water efficiency standards consist of required and recommended language. Only the language in sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Standards is required for a city to be eligible for state funding. (Full Water Efficiency Standards PDF below)

✅ Required Standards (Eligibility)

Limit lawn to a maximum of 35% of the total landscaped area in front and side yards for new residential construction.
Lawn must be a minimum of 8 feet wide at its narrowest point if installed.
Lawn is prohibited in park strips, paths, and on slopes greater than 25% (4:1 grade).
Small residential lots with less than 250 sq. ft. of landscaped area and no backyard are exempt from lawn width and percentage limitations.
For commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family development, lawn shall not exceed 20% of landscaped areas outside active recreation zones.

💡 Recommended Standards (Optional)

Use smart irrigation systems and drip watering for plants (except lawn).
Apply 3-4 inches of permeable mulch to planting beds for weed control and moisture retention.
Irrigate lawn and planting beds on separate valves; separate drip emitters and sprinklers on separate valves.
Install WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controllers with rain delay/shutoff.
Design landscapes with central open shapes, gathering areas of hardscape, and sufficient living plant coverage (50% ground cover at maturity).

Contact Our City Leaders

Our City Council needs to hear from us. Other Utah cities only adopted water efficiency standards once residents spoke up. Let's help Pleasant Grove unlock these resources! You can email your representatives directly with one click.

Guy Fugal

Mayor

Term: Jan 2022 - Jan 2026

📧 Email Mayor

Eric Jensen

Council Member

Term: Jan 2024 - Jan 2028

Running for 2026 Mayor position

📧 Email Eric

Cyd LeMone

Council Member

Term: Jan 2024 - Jan 2028

Running for 2026 Mayor position

📧 Email Cyd

Todd Williams

Council Member

Term: Jan 2022 - Jan 2026

Running again for 2026 Council Member position

📧 Email Todd

Dianna Andersen

Council Member

Term: Jan 2022 - Jan 2026

Running again for 2026 Council Member position

📧 Email Dianna

Steve Rogers

Council Member

Term: Jan 2024 - Jan 2028

📧 Email Steve

📩 Email Entire Council

Learn More

Official program websites:

Official standards and Notices:

Water Efficiency Standards Notice - 2024 (PDF)
Summary of funding opportunities and eligibility requirements for Utah County cities.
Water Efficiency Standards - 2024 (PDF)
Complete text of Utah’s water-wise landscape standards and recommendations. (Note: Only the language in sections 2, 3, and 4 is required for a city to be eligible for funding.)

2023 Vote by Previous Council Denying the Water Efficiency Standards:

September 19, 2023 City Council Minutes (PDF)
Official public record of the council's discussion and vote on Water Efficiency Standards. (See pages 4-5 for the discussion and vote details.)

Summary of Previous 2023 Council Concerns and Rebuttals

Concern: Apprehension about mandating front yard landscaping requirements and perceived restrictions on homeowner choice.
Rebuttal: The standards only apply to new construction and do not impact existing homeowners. They set sensible waterwise landscaping guidelines promoting drought resilience while allowing diverse design options. These policies reflect regional best practices encouraging sustainable growth without unduly restricting homeowner creativity.

Concern: Concerns over the cost of water-efficient landscaping, estimated between $1,500 and $2,400 more for new builds.
Rebuttal: While initial costs may be higher, these expenses are offset by significant state-funded rebates and long-term water savings. Efficient landscaping reduces watering bills and maintenance costs, providing economic benefits over time besides environmental advantages.

Concern: Questions about the actual water savings, noting agriculture accounts for the majority of water use.
Rebuttal: Although agriculture consumes most water statewide, residential use constitutes a major urban demand sector. Implementing these standards can save tens of thousands of gallons annually per household, easing overall supply pressure and enhancing community drought preparedness.

Waterwise Rebate Initiative - Pleasant Grove, UT

Why It Matters

Some Rebates we could be eligible for:

Where Pleasant Grove Stands

Water Efficiency Standards for new construction (Existing Residents not affected)

How Pleasant Grove Benefits

Contact Our City Leaders

Guy Fugal

Eric Jensen

Cyd LeMone

Todd Williams

Dianna Andersen

Steve Rogers

Learn More

Summary of Previous 2023 Council Concerns and Rebuttals