San Antonio's Municipal Utilities is taking significant steps to address the ongoing drought and improve local landscapes, as discussed in a recent government meeting. The focus was on enhancing irrigation practices and providing incentives for homeowners to adapt their gardens to the challenging climate.

One of the standout initiatives is the introduction of a user-friendly irrigation controller available at a 20% discount for SaaS customers. This upgrade aims to simplify the watering process for residents frustrated with traditional controllers. Additionally, the landscape change program has been revamped, offering homeowners up to $600 in incentives to replace grass with more drought-resistant plants. This includes an extra $25 for every 200 square feet converted, encouraging residents to prepare their gardens now and plant in the fall when conditions are more favorable.

The Municipal Utilities team is actively engaging with homeowners associations (HOAs) to discuss landscape concerns and share available resources. So far, three out of five scheduled meetings have taken place, with 15 different HOAs participating. The response has been positive, with associations eager to collaborate on educating their communities about drought conditions and available incentives.

Residents are encouraged to spread the word about these opportunities and to attend upcoming meetings, including one at SAW's headquarters on May 29 and another online on June 5. The Municipal Utilities' proactive approach aims to foster community involvement and support homeowners in adapting to the ongoing drought challenges.