Washington County homeowners have a unique opportunity to receive a comprehensive waterwise landscape transformation valued at up to $40,000 at no cost through a new conservation initiative. The program, which opened applications earlier this week, will select one residential property to serve as a demonstration site for sustainable landscaping practices in Southern Utah's arid environment. Interested residents must submit their applications by January 18 to be considered for this competitive program that aims to showcase how desert-appropriate landscaping can be both environmentally responsible and visually appealing.
The ambitious project represents a collaborative effort between three key organizations: the Washington County Water Conservancy District, the statewide conservation campaign Slow the Flow, and the nonprofit educational group Utah Water Ways. According to program coordinators, the selected homeowner's property will become the featured location for the next episode of Slow the Flow's popular "Rethinking Landscapes" video series. The entire transformation process, scheduled for March through April, will be documented on film to create a step-by-step educational resource that will be distributed across Washington County and throughout Utah. This visual documentation will highlight common landscaping challenges specific to the region and demonstrate practical, replicable solutions that other homeowners can adapt for their own properties.
The winning homeowner will receive a complete landscape overhaul package that includes a custom professional design tailored specifically to Southern Utah's desert climate, full installation services covering up to $40,000 in value, and a finished landscape that reduces water consumption while maintaining aesthetic appeal. "This is a rare opportunity for a resident to receive a complete, high-quality landscape transformation at no cost while helping our entire community learn how to conserve water," said Doug Bennett, district conservation manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District, in an official statement. Bennett emphasized that the project aims to prove that beautiful residential landscapes and responsible water use are not mutually exclusive goals, but rather complementary approaches to modern desert living. The transformation will address typical issues such as inefficient irrigation, inappropriate plant selection, and high-maintenance turf areas that contribute to excessive water consumption in the region.
To validate the effectiveness of waterwise landscaping, program officials will implement a comprehensive monitoring system that tracks water consumption at the selected property for two years prior to the renovation and five years following completion. This longitudinal data collection will provide concrete evidence of long-term conservation benefits and water bill reductions, offering valuable insights for future regional water planning initiatives. The completed landscape will make its public debut at the Southern Utah Parade of Gardens in April 2026, where community members can tour the property and interact directly with water conservation experts and landscape professionals. Additionally, the full transformation process and final results will be shared statewide through digital platforms maintained by both the Washington County Water Conservancy District and Slow the Flow, maximizing the educational reach of the single demonstration project.
Washington County residents interested in applying for the makeover or nominating a neighbor's property can find detailed application requirements and submission guidelines through the Washington County Water Conservancy District's official website. The demonstration project receives funding from the Washington County Water Conservancy District, Utah Water Ways, and various local in-kind contributions from landscape professionals and materials suppliers. Looking ahead, Utah Water Ways has announced plans to expand the "Rethinking Landscapes" series with additional makeover projects across Utah throughout 2026, creating a growing library of region-specific examples for homeowners statewide. Residents who miss the January deadline can sign up for notifications about future opportunities through the organization's online portal, ensuring broader community participation in water conservation efforts across the state.
The initiative comes at a critical time for Washington County, which faces ongoing water supply challenges due to rapid population growth and prolonged drought conditions affecting the Colorado River Basin. By converting traditional high-water-use landscapes to desert-adapted designs, the program estimates that participating homeowners can reduce their outdoor water consumption by up to 60 percent while simultaneously lowering monthly water bills and maintenance requirements. Previous participants in the district's lawn replacement rebate program, such as Ivins resident Joe Hoy whose water-efficient yard was featured in promotional materials, have reported significant savings and increased property satisfaction after making the switch to waterwise landscaping.
