Los Angeles officials push greywater for trees, plants

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles city officials have a new plan to put greywater to good use and beat the drought at the same time.

As Earth Day draws near, officials say we really need to start considering our trees during the drought.

While the city is encouraging people to rip out their grass, but the trees are essential because they say they provide a climate resilient canopy, cool the Earth and hold top soil in place so it doesn't blow away in what is known as the dust bowl effect.

A homeowner in Encino waters trees and plants entirely with greywater, which is water captured from showers, a dishwasher or a washing machine.

It's stored underground in big cisterns, and then it can actually be pumped out and used outdoors.

"If you stop watering your lawn, you must still keep watering your trees," said L.A. City Councilman Paul Koretz. "Without trees, there is no Los Angeles, and our trees are in trouble."

"They help to cool our city, and not only by just shading, but by the water vapor that they release," said Linda Eremita of TreePeople. "If you've ever walked under a misting system, you know how much cooler that is, so that's what the trees are doing for us. They're helping us to survive the increased temperatures that we're all experiencing."

Koretz introduced a motion that would make it easier for people to connect greywater systems in their homes.

The city is also considering a way of eliminating the permit fees, which can now add up to $500 for people who want to install a greywater system in their homes.

Greywater systems are already used extensively in Australia, and with the state's continuing drought, there's no doubt it will be something that could help.