Paul Krekorian Moves to Mandate Water Recycling and Protect LA’s Trees

Using Recycled Greywater a Smart Solution to Combat the Drought

LOS ANGELES- Today, Councilmember Paul Krekorian introduced two groundbreaking motions aimed at making Los Angeles a more sustainable city. Krekorian has a long history of introducing innovative environmental policies that make our city greener.

Using Greywater to Save LA’s Water

Krekorian’s first motion tackles California’s severe, statewide drought and urges the City of Los Angeles to establish standards for greywater treatment systems that would allow for greywater to be used in home irrigation systems and toilet flushing. Greywater is water available for reuse from showers, sinks, laundry machines and bathtubs (not toilets). It is nearly as clean as potable water. The motion also instructs City departments, including the Department of Water and Power, to report back to the City Council in 30 days with recommendations for revisions to LA’s Green Building Codes that would require the use of greywater systems in new construction projects.

Greywater systems save potable water and energy and, if used, would decrease water costs for homeowners. A home system collecting the discharge from all available greywater sources would generate around 40 gallons per person, per day.

QUOTE: “We need to explore every reasonable water conservation option that will help us get through this terrible drought and make our city more sustainable,” said Councilmember Krekorian. “Using greywater systems in homes throughout Los Angeles just makes sense. These systems can take water that comes from our showers, sinks, laundry machines and bathtubs and recycle it for use in our lawns, which will save water, help us meet our city and state water reduction goals, and cut homeowners’ water bills. I want to revise our building codes to make sure we are requiring the use of greywater systems for new construction projects.”

The motion was referred to the City Council’s Energy and Environment Committee.

Protecting Our Urban Forest

Krekorian’s second motion aims to protect the City of LA’s large urban forest of street trees, 2,000 of which are removed each year, many due to private development and new construction. The motion instructs city departments, inducing Planning, Building and Safety, and the Bureau of Street Services Urban Forestry Division, among others, to study and adopt new policies that force developers to consider existing street trees prior to approving plans for new garages, driveways and curb cuts.

He also wants to create a new, more robust tree replacement requirement for trees that must be removed, and to increase penalties and fines for developers who remove street trees without a permit.

QUOTE: “Our urban forest needs to be protected and preserved, said Krekorian. “These trees enhance our neighborhoods and are an integral part of our city’s ecosystem. I believe we can come up with sensible standards that help retain our urban forest, while allowing for new construction projects to be built.”

This motion was referred to the Public Works and Gang Reduction Committee.

Both motions are attached to this email.

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Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, represents Council District 2, which includes North Hollywood, Studio City, Valley Village and other communities in the east San Fernando Valley. His website is cd2.lacity.org, where you can sign up for news updates. Visit him on Twitter (@PaulKrekorian) or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/krekorian

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