Suzuki Motor of America saves thousands of gallons of water in Brea by removing lawns

BREA, Calif. (KABC) -- A 300,000 square foot section of turf was dug up outside of the national headquarters of Suzuki Motor of America in Brea.

The company chose to remove the turf as a way to save water because watering that lawn required about 1 million gallons of water per month.

"We've taken truckloads of grass out," said Mark Eastman, vice president of operations at Suzuki. "(The water bill) was so big - I couldn't believe it. I had them bring me the water bills to see."

Last year, Suzuki started making changes to cut costs, but then the governor's order requiring a 24 percent water use cut in Brea happened. The company then decided to find a better way to save water.

Suzuki is the largest company so far to use the Municipal Water District of Orange County's turf removal rebate program, which will cover $600,000 of the $900,000 cost.

"We've taken out all the turf, all the high-water usage, the plants," Eastman said.

The company is planning a new landscaping project that includes drought tolerant plants, shade structures and a walking path for employees. Some neighbors were initially concerned with the sudden turf removal at the company, but then realized the benefit to the city and state.

Suzuki expected to cut its water use by 700,000 gallons a month. The project should be completed by September.