We, the undersigned residents, community stakeholders, and water conservation advocates, respectfully urge the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and SoCal Water$mart to expand, prioritize, and increase access to regional water-efficiency rebates for households rebuilding after the Eaton and Palisades Fires.

We request enhanced and streamlined funding for:

• Drought-tolerant and California native landscaping
• Turf replacement and soil rehabilitation
• Permeable hardscaping, including permeable pavers, decomposed granite, and porous concrete
• Rainwater infiltration, bioswales, and on-site stormwater capture systems

This moment of rebuilding presents a rare and urgent opportunity to align recovery efforts with long-term regional water resilience.

Why Regional Action Is Needed- A Critical Moment for Long-Term Water Savings

Properties rebuilding after the Eaton and Palisades Fires are making permanent decisions about landscape design and hardscape infrastructure. Without strong incentives, many will default to conventional landscaping and impermeable surfaces that increase water demand and reduce groundwater recharge.

Expanded regional rebates would:

• Reduce long-term outdoor water consumption
• Support groundwater replenishment
• Improve stormwater infiltration in post-fire landscapes
• Advance Southern California’s climate adaptation goals
• Support the restoration of native ecology in these crucial areas of Los Angeles

These benefits extend beyond individual properties and directly support MWD’s regional water reliability mission.

Equity in Recovery

Residents affected by the Eaton and Palisades Fires face substantial financial strain from rebuilding, insurance shortfalls, and displacement. Climate-resilient landscape systems often require higher upfront investment, even though they reduce long-term water costs.

SoCal Water$mart can ensure that:

• Sustainable rebuilding is not limited to higher-income households
• Fire-impacted communities have equitable access to conservation incentives
• Regional conservation funding is directed where it can have transformative impact
• Native vegetation is prioritized and critical habitat restored

Alignment with SoCal Water$mart’s Conservation Strategy

Enhanced rebates tied to recovery from the Eaton and Palisades Fires directly advance SoCal Water$mart’s priorities, including:

• Long-term demand reduction
• Climate resilience and drought preparedness
• Reduced dependence on imported water
• Watershed health and stormwater integration

Targeted post-fire incentives would demonstrate regional leadership and help set a precedent for climate-adaptive rebuilding across Southern California.

Requested Actions

We respectfully request that the LADWP, MWD & SoCal Water$mart:

• Establish a dedicated Eaton and Palisades Fires Recovery Rebate Track within its regional conservation programs.
• Increase rebates to $10 per square foot for installing and permeable hardscaping in affected communities.
• Repeal requirements for replacing turf: the rebate should apply to the total area of sustainable construction regardless of what was there before.
• Provide fast-tracked approvals and simplified documentation for rebuilding households.
• Coordinate with member agencies to ensure consistent and accessible implementation.
• Conduct proactive outreach in fire-impacted neighborhoods to inform residents of available funding.
   
  Conclusion

Recovery from the Eaton and Palisades Fires offers Southern California a pivotal opportunity to rebuild smarter and more sustainably. By expanding and prioritizing rebates for drought-tolerant landscaping and permeable hardscaping, the Metropolitan Water District can help transform disaster recovery into a model of regional water stewardship and climate resilience.

We urge MWD, LADWP & SoCal Water$mart to act swiftly and collaboratively to support affected communities and protect our shared water future.