Tehachapi News

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Water; it is a precious resource. We can’t live without it. As part of Southern California, we are constantly fighting over water rights to the Colorado River, and we must also ship water in from Northern California to supply our ever-growing need. Many experts predict that water will be the next oil.

As I drive by these new shopping centers, I am surprised to see that every one of them has areas planted with lush green grass. I watch as gallons of water run off the newly planted sod, over sidewalks, down gutters and into oblivion. I question this waste of water. Why hasn’t the city of Tehachapi put any landscaping restrictions on these new developments as part of a water conservation effort?
Don’t get me wrong; I love the look of a lush, well-manicured, lawn just as much as the next person. But let’s face it, we live in the very arid climate of Tehachapi, where the average rainfall is 8-inches and the average humidity is 20 percent. Having green grass everywhere is not economically or environmentally realistic.

Why not require all new developments to install drought tolerant landscaping and water efficient watering systems? Maybe incentives could be given to existing establishments to replace sod with alternative ground-covers, such as thyme, river rock, mulch or the new artificial turf, which looks remarkably real. This coupled with a pre-emergent herbicide application twice per year would be ideal. Many cities across the nation have implemented similar restrictions and incentives over the past decade, with very successful results.

By reducing or eliminating grass and encouraging drought tolerant landscaping, the local city, county and water agencies would be encouraging small, rather painless changes that would make a world of difference for our future. They would be addressing a very crucial issue and setting an example to the citizens of Tehachapi.

It’s time to rethink our mindset. We don’t need to see green, water guzzling grass everywhere that we look. A drought tolerant landscape that is well maintained can be just as beautiful. It requires a lot less water, without the excessive waste.

– Lyn Bennett