Descanso Gardens Water Reclamation Project

under construction

Descanso Gardens broke ground on a series of water reclamation, wildfire readiness, and habitat restoration projects designed to improve long-term sustainability and public access at the botanical garden. The project includes a cistern system capable of storing about 1.5 million gallons of water and capturing up to 21 million gallons of stormwater annually from a 256-acre watershed. The reclaimed water will be reused for irrigation, lake replenishment, and habitat support. The project also aims to improve wildfire preparedness by maintaining a dedicated on-site water supply for fire suppression efforts. Additional initiatives include restoration of the garden's lake area and a Nature Discovery Garden with educational areas for children.