California prepares for new life, new look under water restrictions

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- In Los Angeles a company called Turf Terminators is busy tearing out lawns and replacing them with gravel and drought resistant plants. It's paid for by a local government program that rebates $3 for every square foot of grass that's gone.

On Thursday Marise Freitas said goodbye to her thirsty lawn.

"We're essentially in a desert and people are maintaining yards like we live in the tropics and it's a silly waste of water," said Freitas.

Crews work to remove grass and install gravel to help with California's water restriction

CBS News

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Startling pictures of the worst drought the region has seen in centuries

"We are on a wave of a new era of landscaping in Southern California, and hopefully in California in general," said Turf Terminators CEO Ryan Nivakoff.

On average 60 percent of domestic water use goes to outdoor irrigation, so that's the obvious place to make the 25 percent reduction.

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California prepares for new life, new look under water restrictions