Government innovation: Salt Lake Public Utilities develops grass seed blend that needs 30% less water

I've mentioned in the past how some water and compost treatment facilities have developed compost brands as an example of innovation in government.  Milwaukee's Milorganite is the foremost example, having been created in 1926.

Maryland Environmental Service, a state agency providing compost services, created Leafgro compost, which is available in the DC-Maryland area.

Salt Lake City Public Utilities, which runs the water system for the city and adjacent jurisdictions in Salt Lake County has taken this a step further by creating a grass blend that uses 30% less water than typical grass ("This grass can save Salt Lake City residents water and money in Utah's drought," Fox News 13 Utah).  From the article:

... the specially-created blend of grass called "SLC Turf Trade" uses at least 30% less water than others, while still looking green like it's watered daily (something you're absolutely not supposed to do in the drought)...

[The city] worked with Utah State University and the Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance to create the special blend...

Salt Lake City Public Utilities has started selling bags of the grass seed blend to its customers — at cost — to encourage people to try it out. People can buy it for $8.50 a bag, which will cover 1,000 square feet. To install SLC Turf Trade, you will have to kill your existing lawn. But the grass seed is designed to grow quickly in the dead thatch of the old lawn.

Since Utah and the west is in the midst of a multi-decade severe drought, reducing water consumption is on the top of water agency agendas--of course, 82% of the water in the state is used by agriculture, 10% is residential, with 6% outdoor, and 4% indoor.

While xeriscaping--a drought tolerant landscape--is encouraged rather than grass, many people are resistant, so the new grass blend is an innovative way to address the problem. 

2.  I haven't been yet, but the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District has created Conservation Garden Park to demonstrate best practices for outdoor/yard water conservation.