News Eco-Friendly Practices Municipal Turf Revival
Alberta town mandates drought-tolerant grasses be grown on new lawns

Lawns in new communities within Okotoks, Alta. must be grown to drought-tolerant grasses, according to a new bylaw.

The order was mandated as a means of conserving water. Okotoks is located in a semi-arid region with a growing population. Outdoor water use this past summer increased 30 per cent.

A local councillor noted new communities must be both sustainable and water efficient.

The bylaw forces new residential builds to include only turfgrasses that meet town requirements.

A rebate program has been established to offset the price difference between traditional and drought-tolerant grasses.

Penalties for non-compliance won’t be issued for the first two years.