What do boulders, beaches and pearls have in common? They are names of ConAm apartment complexes in Southern Nevada that have taken advantage of cash incentives offered by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA).
ConAm has received more than $161,000 for replacing grass with water-smart landscapes and replacing plumbing fixtures and appliances with high-efficiently products through conservation incentives from SNWA. The water conservation projects combined will save nearly 12 million gallons of water a year.
“A lot of multifamily properties are looking to freshen their properties to attract residents in a competitive market. Replacing non-functional grass with water-smart landscaping updates a complex. More importantly, though, it significantly reduces outdoor water consumption,” said Patrick Watson, SNWA Conservation Program Administrator. That reduction in water use translates into reduced water bills and operating costs as water-efficient landscapes require less maintenance. “Properties also have far less damage to hardscapes like sidewalks, parking lots and building walls, which are expensive to repair.”
The SNWA Water Smart Landscapes (WSL) rebate offers a $3 per-square-foot cash incentive to properties that replace grass with drip-irrigated landscapes. SNWA’s Water Efficient Technologies (WET) program provides a rebate for installing qualifying water-efficient technologies.
“The great thing about the WET rebate is that it’s customized for each property. If apartment complexes want to upgrade indoor fixtures, we can often help with incentives,” Watson said, adding that SNWA conservation specialists can assist property managers identify opportunities for water savings and incentives.
The Pearl at St. Rose apartments benefited from both the WSL and WET rebate programs. The property replaced more than 24,000 square feet of grass, earning nearly $52,000 in cash incentives. The Pearl also upgraded hundreds of toilets and showerheads with high-efficiency models, earning an additional $82,000 in rebates. The landscape upgrade and WET projects combined save more than 11 million gallons of water a year, making The Pearl the real gem in ConAm’s water conservation initiatives.
Two of ConAm’s other multifamily properties – Boulders at Lone Mountain and The Lido (“Beach” in Italian) – also participated in the WSL rebate program and removed more than of 9,000 square feet of thirsty turf, saving an additional half a million gallons of water a year.
“These water savings benefit the entire community, including the business community,” Watson said, noting that investment banks have favorably rated Southern Nevada’s water resource management and conservation strategies. “Conservation plays a huge role in ensuring a reliable water supply as we continue to weather a severe, 20-year drought. It’s vitally important for the business community to play a larger role in water conservation to bolster our economic resiliency.”
SNWA makes it easy for businesses to save water, according to Watson. “We provide a concierge service to businesses looking to save water and reduce their operating costs. And, we can implement projects in phases to accommodate capital improvement schedules and budgets.”
Find out how you can reduce your business’ operating costs and take advance of cash incentives by contacting one of SNWA’s business experts at 702-862-3740 today and visit snwa.com to learn more.
