Turf Transformations Achieve Multiple Benefits

Transforming Non-Functional Turf to Waterwise Landscapes Achieves Multiple Benefits

Transforming non-functional turf to waterwise landscapes achieves a wide range of benefits that enhance water supply and community resilience.

Many of these benefits, such as water and cost savings, are quantifiable. Other co-benefits of transforming non-functional turf to waterwise landscapes, such as neighborhood beautification and pollinator habitat, are qualitative. These qualitative benefits, while less measurable, remain important considerations when making the “triple bottom line” case for investing in landscape transformations. Waterwise landscaping provides environmental, economic, and social benefits. These landscapes also help build community resilience to the impacts of climate change, reduce stresses on local resources from population growth, and supplement aging infrastructure. All these benefits—both quantifiable and qualitative—should be taken into account when considering whether to make these investments. Comparing the cost of replacements to water and cost savings alone would not capture the full meaning of the investment for the community.

To support communities’ triple bottom line assessment of local turf conversion programs, WaterNow and Western Resource Advocates have developed this resource with short descriptions of the qualitative benefits waterwise landscapes generate and access to additional resources, including frameworks for evaluating benefits.