In Las Vegas the water authorities are actually paying consumers not to use water on their landscapes. Such is the seriousness of their water shortage. They have calculated that every square foot of grass replaced with an alternative water saving solution will save an average of 55 gallons of water per year. However the suggested solutions have to blend in with the desert scenery which shortens the list of possible solutions, hence why artificial grass can be seen in abundance in the area. If you would like to save water and not worry about shortages in the year ahead then artificial grass will ensure that you do not need to turn your garden into a desert.

More information on "Water Smart Landscapes":
http://www.lvvwd.com/html/news_wsl_rebate_increase.html