City of Oakley’s Water Conservation Efforts are On‐going

Recognizing years ago that water is a limited resource and a major utility expense for irrigating parks and landscape, the City of Oakley began efforts to install wells, when possible and practical, at their parks when they are developed.

Nationally, 60‐70% of water consumed in the summer is for landscape irrigation. The City wishing to be proactive, and with no desire to be labeled a “water hog,” planned and has been implementing the use of non‐potable well water for irrigation, which greatly saves onthe potable use consumption. Additionally, the City is now using a sophisticated irrigation central control system to save even more water.

The two City fountains, one located at the City Hall Civic Center, and the other at the Oakley Plaza Shopping Center, are both on re‐circulating systems; though it’s understood there is some water loss due to overspray and evaporation.

Well water is being used to irrigate many parks and nearby landscaped streetscapes. The parks include: Laurel Ballfields Park, Summer Lake Park, Creekside Park, Freedom Basin Park, Crockett Park, Holly Creek Park, Magnolia Park, Nutmeg Park, and Shady Oak Park.

Cypress Grove Park and Briarwood Park were on well water until a recent failure; however, a new well is being installed.

Oakley Union Elementary School District also utilizes well water to irrigate their school grounds and school parks, such as O’Hara Park, Vintage Park, Gehringer Park, and Oakley Elementary School Park. Freedom High School also uses well water to irrigate their school grounds and ballfields.

Furthermore, we continue to work cooperatively with Ironhouse Sanitary District on the Recycled Water Facilities Plan with the end goal of one day using their recycled water in our parks and landscape.