City Announces Start to Slow Release Watering Bags for Median Trees

Compiled by Eric Heinz

Because of the drought’s effects on city landscapes, San Clemente officials stated in a press release the city will start using an alternate method to try to sustain the vegetation.

Because of the new regulations, “The city is prohibited from watering the turf areas in the medians with potable water,” the release said. “With no separate irrigation system in place for the trees, this presents a challenge for the city to ensure the trees in these medians get sufficient water to stay alive. As a solution, the city has ordered self-contained water bags, which serve as a slow release watering system.”

The bags will be filled with reclaimed water and placed at the base of the trees so they can be watered gradually.

The bags are refillable and the city will refill them every one to two weeks. The city expects to begin using these as soon as they are received later this month. Additionally, the use of the bags will allow for the city to plant new trees where previously identified as needed and make sure they get watered and grow through the establishment period.