Sacramento, CA — October 2025 — The California Water Efficiency Partnership (CalWEP) has launched a suite of new resources — including a customer-facing statewide website, sector-specific outreach toolkit, and internal agency guidebook — to help water providers implement Assembly Bill 1572 (AB 1572), California’s landmark law prohibiting the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf on commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) properties.
All outreach toolkit materials are now available for the public on the new website launched today, NonFunctionalTurfCA.org, with additional resources & customization exclusively for CalWEP members. The site also features a new rebate and enforcement finder, where users can type in their address to instantly see which water agency serves their property, what turf removal rebates and support they offer, and what local compliance rules apply. Users will also be able to map nonfunctional turf using Google satellite imagery —a powerful new feature to support compliance and planning.
"The Nonfunctional Turf Toolkit is the product of an incredible collaborative effort by water providers across California who shared ideas, offered feedback, and helped ensure every resource reflects the real needs and experiences of communities on the ground. AB 1572 implementation goes to the heart of CalWEP’s mission, maximizing urban water efficiency and conservation throughout California, and we’re proud to stand alongside our members as part of this historic transformation," said Tia Fleming, Executive Director, California Water Efficiency Partnership.
The toolkit strikes a balance between consistent statewide messaging and flexible, sector-specific resources. Materials are currently available in English with Spanish materials expected in the following months. Resources include:
- Fact sheets and infographics tailored for specific industry sectors.
- Case studies and planning tools highlighting successful transformations.
- Customizable templates for co-branding with local agency logos.
- Best practice guidance to avoid unintended outcomes such as tree death or gravel replacement.
"California water providers are stronger when we speak with one voice. This new toolkit delivers that consistency while allowing each water provider to put their local stamp on the message. Here in Sonoma County, creating landscapes that can withstand drought and lower wildfire risks is a top priority, and this collaborative approach ensures that statewide policy translates into meaningful, lasting change for our communities,” said Paul Piazza, Principal Programs Specialist at Sonoma County Water Agency.
Introduced in 2023 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Burbank) and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, AB 1572 represents a major step forward in California’s efforts to adapt and protect water supplies from the effects of rising temperatures and drier conditions due to climate change. It signals a social and cultural shift as Californians transform hundreds of thousands of acres of nonfunctional lawn into water-wise landscapes.
"Implementing AB 1572 marks a pivotal step toward California’s long-term water resilience. The Department of Water Resources applauds CalWEP’s leadership in developing resources that empower local agencies to meet this challenge and accelerate the transition to climate-ready landscapes as we adapt to a hotter, drier future" said Ryan Bailey, Water Use Efficiency Branch Manager at the Department of Water Resources.
By providing water providers with clear, customizable outreach tools to support implementation of the new law, CalWEP’s toolkit helps ensure that this transformation happens in a way that supports equity, neighborhood appeal, and economic vitality across communities. As we approach the first compliance deadline – January 1, 2027 for state & local government, local & regional public agencies, and public water systems – this project aims to bridge the gap between legislation and implementation by equipping interested parties with the resources and tools necessary to align with the new regulations.
“With the first phase of this new regulation approaching, right now is the time for Southern California businesses and institutions to reimagine their outdoor spaces by transforming unused or nonfunctional grass into water-saving California Friendly® landscapes. To support the sectors affected by the state law, Metropolitan recently doubled its regional turf replacement rebate, now at $7 per square foot, along with offering this new suite of educational materials,” said Krista Guerrero, Senior Resource Specialist at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and CalWEP Nonfunctional Turf Task Force Chair.
In addition to the public-facing toolkit, CalWEP has also released Less Lawn, More Compliance: A Guide for Water Suppliers Navigating AB 1572, a comprehensive internal guidebook designed to help agencies interpret, adopt, and implement the law. The guide includes model ordinances, sample policy language, enforcement options, and communication templates to support consistency and clarity across California. Together, the toolkit and guidebook provide both the public and water providers with the information and resources needed to ensure a smooth, equitable transition away from nonfunctional turf.
The full suite of AB 1572 materials, along with CalWEP’s rebate finder and satellite mapping tool, is now available at: NonFunctionalTurfCA.org. Member-only resources including editable outreach materials and the internal guidebook is now available at calwep.org/NFT. For more information on CalWEP membership and access to the toolkit, please visit calwep.org/NFT.
Media Contact:
California Water Efficiency Partnership (CalWEP)
[email protected] | (916) 552-5885
These resources were made possible through the support of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water), Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water), San Diego County Water Authority, Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA), Inland Empire Utilities Agency, and the City of Santa Barbara.
The California Water Efficiency Partnership (CalWEP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing urban water efficiency and conservation across California through research, collaboration, and actionable tools that empower water providers and communities alike.