Tanager (Before)
Tanager (After)
Although California’s drought is over, the State’s permanent water restrictions prohibit the irrigation of city-owned turf medians. This permanent prohibition, combined with Fountain Valley’s commitment to improve long-term drought preparedness, is the stimulus for a “median makeover” in several locations throughout the City.
The first phase of this “makeover” just wrapped up and involved the removal of approximately 12,500 sq. ft. of turf on the City’s last four residential turf medians (located on Ross St., Los Jardines West, Tanager Ave. and Ellis Ave). Drought-tolerant, low-maintenance synthetic turf was then installed to save water while still providing an aesthetically pleasing landscape that contributes to keeping Fountain Valley “A Nice Place to Live.” In fact, this project will save an estimated 546,500 gallons of water a year.
In addition to saving water, the Public Works Department completed this project $37,192 (29%) under budget! After receiving a turf removal rebate from the Municipal Water District of Orange County in the amount of $28,568, the final cost to the City for this project will be $92,808. Residents who are interested in replacing their own turf with drought-tolerant landscaping are encouraged to visit the City’s Turf Removal page at www.fountainvalley.org to learn about rebate opportunities and the City’s landscape requirements.
The next phase of the City’s “median makeover” is expected to start in early 2019 and will involve the replacement of existing turf with drought-tolerant landscaping on the City’s arterial medians.