Water recycling offers a reliable, economically feasible and environmentally sensitive way to augment the city's water supplies. Recycling programs treat wastewater so that it can be used safely for irrigating landscape, golf courses, crops, and freeway medians, as well as to act as a barrier against seawater intrusion. Various industries also use recycled water.

Los Angeles has used recycled water since 1979 for irrigation and industrial purposes. Recycled water keeps the landscape healthy in areas of Griffith Park, along with the Mount Sinai and Forest Lawn Memorial Parks. Currently, LADWP oversees distribution of recycled water from four reclamation plants for irrigation, industry, habitat development and recreation.