Sacramento: Back to Desert, or Lifting a Ban on Artificial Grass?

Sacramento Planning Commission is considering to lift a 1984 ban that prohibited to install artificial grass in the front yards. Due to the new California drought emergency water conservation regulations, state officials must take all necessary action to prepare for water shortages. Artificial grass is the alternative landscape option available to home and business owners today. In California cities, except Sacramento, rebates are offered by local water agencies to those who volunteer to tear off their water-thirsty lawns and turn them into a drought-tolerant landscape. But before the ban is lifted, Sacramento residents who installed synthetic lawns on their front yards can be fined by authorities.

Artificial grass technology in 1984 didn't allow natural, super-realistic look offered today. Synthetic turf back then was primarily used by sports industry. The initial 1984 ordinance was imposed to keep the aesthetics of the city intact. The time has changed. The artificial grass industry has evolved dramatically. Today, we have more than 75 artificial grass products intended for residential and commercial applications. We use more than a dozen unique technologies to replicate the feel and look of the natural grass. Synthetic lawns today look more alive, green and beautiful than regular lawns. Plus, they require no maintenance and reduce water usage by more than fifty percent for an average household.

The Planning and Design Commission of Sacramento is considering to set rules for front lawns fake grass as to require a pile height of grass to be not less than 1.25 inches. Samples of artificial grass and an installation guide will be presented this Thursday to the commission. If the proposal is approved this week, it will be sent to the consideration of City Council.

Most critics of fake lawns argue about fake grass with no factual prove at hand. A multitude of tests is done to every fake grass product sold in the United States. The only concern that were raised lately in the media is the artificial grass infill. Those concerns are aimed towards sports fields application, as rubber crumbs made of old tires are used on athletic fields to meet GMax Shock Attenuation Testing requirements. For landscape lawns, the infill solutions are simple. Zeofill (volcano ash), if you have pets or sand are 100% organic and safe.

For Sacramento residents, the lifting of an old ban means a new way to improve a curb-appeal of their properties while staying on top of 28 percent water cuts obligations. As the California drought continues, there is a serious choice for city authorities to make. Will Sacramento go back to its original desert look, or stay green no matter what forecast says?

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August 18, 2015 | Water Conservation, Water Shortage, California Water, California Drought, Drought In California, Rebates, Drought California, Drought, California Water Crisis

Beyond the Lawn Day: Beverly Hills

While the state of California is experiencing the serious water drought, Beverly Hills residents are facing the reality of cutting down their water usage as much as by 35%, in light of the governor of California, Jerry Brown, mandate. The state promises to fine water wasters as much as $1,000 per day.

According to Areavibes, the medium housing values in Beverly Hills is $2,703,500 and is 604 percent higher than in California. The cost of living is twice higher than in the state on average. Beverly Hills has 2,481 backyard pools, which is the most pools per capita. It has one of the highest rates of water usage too, 216.6 gallons a day per resident (September, 2014), compared to 70 gallons in Los Angeles. Residents of Santa Ana, for example, use only 38 gallons of water a day.

Local authorities prohibited the draining and refilling pools, and required all pools be covered to lessen evaporation. Outside watering is restricted to two days a week. It seems that "the land of the sunshine, swimming pools, palm trees and movie stars" stands a chance to choose the alternative way and join the nation conservation effort. If not for the hard-to-replace swimming pools, the simplest and the most efficient drought solution is to change the way of our landscape.

Transforming lawns into a beautiful oasis with lush and natural looking grass is much easier than changing people's expectations of how the landscape must look like. Artificial grass technology allows us to live the lifestyle we seek despite the climate change and drought conditions.

People and the media tend to blame the upscale communities for the "moral isolation of the rich." But when you see beautiful tranquil front and backyards of Beverly Hills, take a closer look. Artificial grass is installed throughout the city, and while it looks just like a regular landscape, as a fact, most of it is synthetic.

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