Synthetic Turf

We are having some water issues here in Southern California. SWMBO and I have been considering replacing our lawn with synthetic grass or turf. When searching the web, I noticed several manufacturers of artificial turf located in Australia. Then I realized that you blokes have been having water issues also.

The questions are, Have any of you installed artificial turf? Do you like it? Are there any general things that I should be aware of before installing the turf?

Thanks,

Never used it but I regularly walk the dog past some places that have it. It always sticks out because they don't put any artificial weeds in it and it is totally uniform in colour - too perfect so it stands out from the crowd so to speak. My dog, who is more of a afficionado than I am, is happy to wizz on it.

I may be wrong but is there a possibility of underground water there?Of course as an ex driller that's my solution to most water problems.I remember drilling a domestic bore and an old man came up and abused me for helping to deplete the water table.Within eyeshot,about 500m away,an irrigation bore was pumping out 250000 gal/hr flooding lucern.the bore i was drilling was to supply 500 gal/hr.:~

Our next door neighbor has put it on their front verge - cost a heap of money to have it professionally installed, limestone road base, washed sand and then the turf below and above. Every weekend he sweeps the leaves of and re-rakes the sand back into place. Even though it makes sense it looks like a lot of work to me. Maybe I'm just jealous but for now I'm deliberately leaving our verge looking extra scruffy so his stands out like the proverbial