San Clemente keeping trees along street medians alive with watering bags

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (KABC) -- The city of San Clemente is zip-tying thick green bags filled with 20 gallons of recycled water around the trunks of trees along street medians in an effort to conserve water and beat the drought.

"A little over a month ago, we turned the water off on these medians to try to conserve water. Now, we're trying to save these trees by putting water bags around the base of the trees," San Clemente Sr. Inspector Coordinator Mark Chavez said.

The city is faced with a challenge to keep the trees alive, yet still meet water conservation rules that prohibit using potable water on street medians.

The bags are reusable and city officials expect they'll have to refill them with reclaimed water every two weeks. Each bag costs $25.

So far the city of San Clemente has bought 150 bags which will be installed on medians and in some parks. The city says they'll still have to let the median grass go brown without water, but they remain hopeful the bags will save the trees that have adorned this neighborhood for more than 20 years.

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