Tampa Residents Transform their Lawns to Save Water and Money

Tampa Residents Transform their Lawns to Save Water and Money Robert L. Tue, 10/13/2026 - 08:50 am Lush green garden with various flowering plants, tall stalks, and shaded trees in the background. Money collected from watering fines is funding the Tampa Water Department’s first Florida-Friendly Landscaping Incentive Program and one year since its launch, participating homeowners are enjoying significant savings in their water bills. Tuesday morning department officials will be delivering a rebate check to one of the program’s first participants. Tampa resident Chris Kern is receiving a $1,654.51 rebate check for converting a portion of his lawn from traditional turfgrass to Florida-Friendly Landscaping™. The dollar-for-dollar matching rebate helps offset the cost of labor and plants associated with the project. The incentive program is funded by money collected from water restriction violation fines. Tampa has year-round watering restrictions, with additional limitations in place during periods of drought. Using violation fees to fund the program helps reinvest those dollars into efforts that encourage more water-efficient landscapes. In the case of many Florida homeowners, irrigat

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