A new program in Scottsdale will pay homeowners to remove their pools.
The program, which began last month, will provide a rebate up to $1,500 toward the cost of removing a pool for Scottsdale water customers.
The goal is water conservation, according to Nicole Sherbert, public information officer for the city's water department.
Evaporation is to blame for pools losing their entire volume of water annually. This means that water has to be pumped back into pools, Sherbert explained.
According to Sherbert, Scottsdale is the first city in the state to offer this program. The program is paid for by the water department’s budget, which means no tax money is used.
Scottsdale resident Diane Denee might take the city up on its offer.
"I see a drain of money," she said, when asked to describe her backyard pool.
Denee said she has not used the pool in years, but still pays about $1,200 every year for pool maintenance.
An online post from the director of the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association said the average cost for a pool removal is $6,000. Scottsdale's rebate would cover one-quarter of that cost.
More information about the program is available here.
