March 24, 2026 | Dani Morgutia, Senior Program Manager
The countdown to January 1, 2027, for public agencies, is officially on.
With California’s AB 1572 requiring the elimination of potable water irrigation for non-functional turf (NFT) on commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) landscapes, water agencies across the state are entering a critical window for action. While policy adoption and internal planning are essential, customer communication and public-facing program rollout will ultimately determine how successful implementation is on the ground. Public agency properties are first in line, making this an opportunity to lead by example and set the tone for all CII sectors that will follow in the years ahead.
Whether you’re preparing public agencies for compliance or scaling your broader turf replacement programs, a clear seasonal communication strategy, paired with thoughtful internal planning and support, can help guide customers through the transition.
A Quick Refresher: What AB 1572 Requires
AB 1572 prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf on CII properties.
Beginning January 1, 2027, this requirement applies to public agency-owned and maintained CII landscapes, including (but not limited to):
- Civic centers and administrative buildings
- Libraries and community centers
- Public parking lots and rights-of-way
- Other publicly owned institutional landscapes
In addition to physical landscape changes, public agencies must also adopt and align internal policies, ordinances, and operational practices to reflect these requirements by the compliance deadline.
Public Agencies: Leading by Example
Public agencies are uniquely positioned to demonstrate what AB 1572 compliance looks like in practice.
This is an opportunity to showcase successful turf transformation projects, normalize climate-appropriate landscapes in highly visible public spaces, and most importantly, build public trust and understanding ahead of broader CII implementation
Early action by public agencies will directly influence how smoothly other sectors including HOAs, commercial properties, and institutions transition in the years to come.
Why Customer Communication Matters Now
Even the strongest policies fall short without clear, timely, and actionable communication.
Public agencies are often understaffed, managing large and complex portfolios of sites, and navigating competing priorities and budget constraints.
They need to understand what qualifies as non-functional turf, what changes are required, what policy updates are needed, how to plan and phase implementation, and what support is available to faciliate their compliance by January 1, 2027.
But most importantly, they need time and support.
That’s why I think 2026 is the year of communication, coordination, and partnership.
Resources Are Already Available - Please Use Them
The good news is water agencies don’t have to start from scratch!
A growing library of tools, templates, and guidance already exists to support implementation. We encourage water agencies to begin by exploring CalWEP’s dedicated resource hub for public agencies, including but not limited to the Public Properties Planning & Plan Check Guidance and Public Properties Grant Funding Guidance.
These resources can help you:
- Guide public agencies through compliance pathways
- Support internal planning and permitting alignment
- Identify funding opportunities and program structures
- Provide consistent, statewide-aligned messaging
Please consider these as your foundation! The goal is for our incredible statewide WUE staff to translate them into local action.
How Water Agencies Can Support Public Agencies (Beyond Funding)
Financial incentives are important, but they are not enough on their own. And let's be real, how many water agencies have an unlimited budget for AB 1572 implementation? Water agencies can play a critical role in reducing the logistical burden for public agencies by offering hands-on, practical support.
Some proven approaches include:
Technical & Planning Support
- Conduct free NFT site audits
- Provide compliance pathway plans tailored to each site
- Map turf areas using tools like GIS or free aerial imagery (I personally love Google Earth)
- Estimate square footage and prioritize transformation areas
Program & Partnership Models
- Develop collaborative pilot programs with local agencies e.g., Long Beach Utilities NFT Removal partnership with Public Work Marine Bureau Division model
- Partner with NGOs or community groups to support garden installation efforts
- Explore volunteer-based models to offset labor costs
Implementation Tools
- Provide pre-approved design templates and plant palettes
- Offer irrigation retrofit guidance and standard specifications
- Create “AB 1572 Project-in-Progress” signage for sites removing turf or eliminated potable irrigation but are awaiting funding
Internal Coordination Support
- Work with Public Affairs teams to align messaging
- Coordinate with community development or code enforcement staff
- Ensure materials (flyers, signage, FAQs) are available at public counters
The goal is to make compliance feel achievable—not overwhelming.
Start Small, Scale Strategically: Find Your Champions
For most public agencies, transforming every area within their property at once isn't realistic.
Instead, encourage a phased, demonstration-based approach:
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Start with a single, high-visibility site (e.g., a library, civic building, or parkway)
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Use it as a model project
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Document lessons learned
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Build internal buy-in and confidence
These early projects can become powerful tools to train staff, refine processes, develop realistic project budgets, and build momentum. Find your AB 1572 champions and empower them to lead.
A Seasonal Roadmap for Turf Transformation
Landscape projects don’t happen overnight, they tend to follow the seasons. Water agencies should align their outreach with this natural cycle to help customers succeed.
🌱 Spring (March–May): Planning, Assessment, and Program Enrollment
Spring is when momentum begins.
This is the ideal time to:
- Launch or promote turf replacement programs
- Site assessments and landscape audits
- Help customers identify non-functional turf areas
- Provide design templates, plant palettes, and planning tools
- Policy and ordinance alignment discussions
Messaging focus:
“Start planning now, 2027 is closer than it seems”
☀️ Summer (June–August): Turf Removal and Site Preparation
Summer is not ideal for planting but it is ideal for removal.
Use this time to:
- Encourage customers to kill and remove existing turf
- Promote sheet mulching, solarization, or other removal methods
- Prepare irrigation systems for retrofit
- Offer technical guidance on irrigation conversion (drip systems, zoning, controllers)
Messaging focus:
“Use the summer heat to your advantage—remove turf now.”
Removing turf properly, with the help of the summer heat, ensures customers are ready for fall installation.
🍂 Fall (September–November): Installation and Transformation
Late fall is the golden window for planting in California.
This is when:
- Native and climate-appropriate plants establish more easily
- Evapotranspiration rates begin to drop
- Water demand is lower
Encourage customers to:
- Install new landscapes
- Complete irrigation retrofits
- Finalize transformations before winter rains
Messaging focus:
“Fall is the best time to plant—complete your transformation now.”
❄️ Winter (December–February): Final Compliance Push and Verification
As the deadline approaches, winter becomes a compliance and follow-up phase.
Focus on:
- Final outreach to remaining customers
- Troubleshooting and technical assistance
- Reinforcing the January 1, 2027 requirement
Messaging focus:
“The deadline is here—ensure your property is compliant.”
Aligning Your Communications with the Rollout Timeline
Your outreach strategy should build over time by layering community awareness and empowering action.
A strong approach includes:
- Early notice and education (Spring 2026)
- Program activation, participation, and turf removal (Summer 2026)
- High-visibility success stories and reminders (Fall 2026)
- Final countdown messaging (Winter 2026)
Use a mix of:
- Direct outreach to public agency staff
- Bill inserts
- Dedicated AB 1572 webpages
- Social media campaigns
- AB 1572 webinars and workshops
- Technical assistance sessions
***Consistency is key and customers should hear from you multiple times, across multiple channels.
Beyond Compliance: Reimagining Public Spaces
While AB 1572 sets a regulatory requirement, this is also an opportunity to reimagine outdoor public green spaces across California and:
- Improve climate resilience
- Reduce long-term water demand
- Enhance biodiversity and habitat
- Lower maintenance costs for customers
- Create more functional, community-oriented public green spaces
Final Thought: Lead Now, So Others Can Follow
Public agencies are first in line to comply with AB 1572, and the way they respond will set the tone for the remaining CII sectors that follow.
Water agencies that succeed in this moment will:
- Lead with partnership
- Provide practical, hands-on support
- Use existing tools strategically
- Make compliance achievable at scale
The path to compliance is clear, and now it’s time to help customers walk it.
Dani Morgutia is CalWEP's Senior Program Manager with over 15 years of experience in botany, regenerative conservation, and water use efficiency. When she isn't managing CalWEP's programs, research, and advocacy, you can find her in the sunshine with her hands in the dirt. Dani also serves as an Agrarian Manager at a local community college, where she teaches former foster youth students how to grow their own food and provides free access to organic, fresh produce to them year-round.