Recycled Water to Keep Val Vista Park Green, Saving 18.5 Million Gallons Potable Water

Information submitted by Dublin San Ramon Services District—

As California continues to experience the driest period in the state’s recorded rainfall history, the Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) and the City of Pleasanton have collaborated on a water conservation project that is expected to save approximately 18.5 million gallons of potable water annually.

[Related article: Pleasanton Experiences Driest Year on Record]

The two agencies have worked together to provide recycled water to irrigate one of Pleasanton’s largest and most popular parks, 15-acre Val Vista Park, located at 7350 Johnson Drive.  

The city is now irrigating most of the park’s landscaping and fields with recycled water provided by DSRSD.  Val Vista Park features three sand-based soccer fields, two water play features, a skate park, in-line hockey rink, play structure with a climbing wall, restrooms, and a picnic area that can be rented for special events.

“We’re very pleased that Pleasanton has converted Val Vista Park irrigation to recycled water,” says DSRSD Board President Georgean Vonheeder-Leopold. “It reduces the Tri-Valley’s need for imported water and provides an uninterruptible supply of irrigation water, which will be critical during this drought.” 

Areas that will not receive recycled water include the park’s community garden, drinking fountains, restroom, water play feature and circulating creek (both of which may be deactivated this summer due to the drought). 

DSRSD has been irrigating with recycled water in Dublin since 1999 and in San Ramon since 2006. In 2013, just over one billion gallons of recycled water was used in the Tri-Valley, primarily for irrigation. Val Vista Park is the first location in the City of Pleasanton to receive recycled water for irrigation. 

“This project is also a great example of working together regionally to use a valuable resource, recycled water,” according to Pleasanton Operations Services Director Daniel Smith.  “It’s a win for everyone. The community gets a green park during a drought, the City of Pleasanton saves 18.5 million gallons of potable water, and DSRSD avoids having to dump a valuable resource into San Francisco Bay.”

Previous drought-related coverage on Patch: 

• Drought: City Declares 'Stage One of Water Shortage…
• Parched Bay Area Soaks Up Much Needed Rain
• Gov. Brown Declares Drought Emergency in California
• California Drought: 17 Communities Could Run Out of Water…