Man Fined For Trying To Save Water

THORNTON, Colo. -- If you're thinking about installing synthetic turf in your yard as a way to save water, better check with City Hall first.

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A Thornton man had spent $12,000 installing an artificial lawn and now he may have to rip it out and pay a fine.

That homeowner, Dean Jachetta, is facing the wrath of City Hall for trying to save water because synthetic lawns are not allowed in Thornton, 7NEWS reported.

Jachetta hopes to change their mind because he's tired of having to put in new grass every year. He said that with the drought and a very active dog, his lawn is just always a mess.

Jachetta was in the midst of his latest turf replacement project when the homeowners association and the city told him to stop.

"I was fairly shocked and I guess I should have called the homeowners (association), but like I said, every spring, I replace my yard and I'm out here with a Bobcat tearing everything out and putting in new top soil and everything else. So I didn't think it was going to be an issue," Jachetta said.

City officials have expressed concern about drainage. They have wondered if storm sewers be able to handle the runoff if everyone was allowed to install artificial grass.

"We've actually had better drainage in this yard than it had in the past with regular grass," Jachetta said.

A spokesman with Astro-Lawn said there are holes in the synthetic turf which allow water to drain into the crushed granite bed underneath. He said so far it's absorbed more moisture than the real grass.

Jachetta is asking the city to reconsider its rule.

"It cost me $125 a month to water my yard six months out of the year. And I don't have that problem anymore. And now I'm being part of the solution, with conserving water as well," Jachetta said.

If the city says no to his artificial lawn, he's in a real predicament. He may not be able to plant a real lawn because of watering restrictions.