After two years, San Diego County's Turf Replacement Program has run out of money and is no longer accepting applications.
The program started in 2012 as part of a larger water conservation effort focused on home landscaping projects, which account for half the water used.
Jeff Stevenson with the San Diego County Water Authority said demand for its turf replacement program swelled last year when drought conditions worsened.
"By the time we're done going through the grant funding, it'll be about a thousand homes and businesses combined. The idea is that the more people that do this, the more it will spread throughout the county. People see their neighbors do it, businesses will see other businesses do it, and see that the landscapes they can put in will not only save water, but they'll look great," Stevenson said.
The San Diego County Water Authority expects the program will replace more than 1 million square feet of turf grass before the funding ends. However, it said other rebate programs are still available.
The Water Authority replaced its campus lawn with turf in 2007, saving 250,000 gallons of water a year.
