Going Greener… Bringing Recycled Water to Pleasant Hill Park

On Wednesday January 19, 2011, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District (PHR&PD) honored the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) for its help bringing recycled water to Pleasant Hill Park for landscape irrigation.

The project, which began last year, converted the park, which had been irrigated with potable water, to recycled water from Central San.

In addition to helping to conserve California’s limited water resources, the project will save money (recycled water costs 30% less than potable water) and is not subject to rationing during droughts, which will allow PHR&PD to keep the turf and landscaping attractive and healthy even during water shortages.

An existing Central San recycled water pipeline runs under Gregory Lane adjacent to the park. Central San hired irrigation consultant Chris Mitchell of Russell D. Mitchell & Associates of Walnut Creek to make drawings of the existing underground plumbing system. Mitchell worked closely with Park Supervisor Todd Smith and his team to investigate and repair the underground plumbing.

Central San recycles an average of 1.5 million gallons of wastewater each day at its treatment plant in Martinez. “Recycled water starts as wastewater and is treated in three stages,” said Michael Scahill, Communications Manager for Central San. The third stage of treatment uses UV lights, which destroy the DNA of bacteria or any other contaminants.  The recycled water is further filtered and then chlorinated. “This process is much cheaper than desalination without the huge power requirements,” he said.

Scahill said that the recycled water produced by Central San is used to irrigate golf courses, parks, traffic medians, and in some industrial processes via 11 miles of pipeline that begins at the wastewater treatment plant in Martinez.  Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District already uses recycled water to irrigate Pleasant Oaks Park.

At Pleasant Hill Park, construction of a new Senior Center and new Teen Center is scheduled to begin this spring. “This was the perfect time to upgrade our underground irrigation plan,” said PHR&PD Park Superintendent Lynn Spatz, who is looking forward to a 30% savings in her water budget at Pleasant Hill Park.

On January 19, 2011, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District honored Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District for its help brining recycled water to Pleasant Hill Park. Left to right, Dr. Michael G. Harris, Pleasant Hill City Council; Bobby Glover, Board Secretary Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District; Dennis Donaghu, PHR&PD Vice Chair; Sandra Bonato, PHR&PD Board Chair; Don Berger, Recycled Water Program Manager Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District (Central San); Mike McGill, Board Member, Central San; Steve Considine, Recycled Water Field Superintendent, Central San; Lynn Spatz, Parks Superintendent, PHR&PD; Chris Mitchell, Principal, Russell D. Mitchell & Associates; Melody LaBella, Recycled Water Program Engineer, Central San; Tom Bradley, Park Maintenance, PHR&PD

Our Historic Year - BIG Changes You'll Want to Know About

In 2011, the 60th anniversary of Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District, history will be made! The community will see the beginning phases of construction of three new, modern, high-tech, energy-efficient buildings:

• New Pleasant Hill Senior Center
• New Pleasant Hill Teen Center
• New Pleasant Hill Community Center

Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District is growing strong!

This has all been made possible by the support of the people in the successful passing of Measure E in August of 2009.

• The Senior Center and the Teen Center, now in the final planning stages will close public operations on April 1, 2011; construction is projected to begin in May of 2011; completion in late 2012.
• The Community Center will close public operations on April 17, 2011, and is expected to be complete in summer of 2013.

Although the Community Center was to remain open for two more years, the Board of Directors voted on December 16, 2010, to move up the demolition date in light of additional work to maintain the structural integrity of the building.

For the coming year, the programs, meetings, and special events will continue – only the locations will change. District staff is working on a comprehensive plan for alternate locations until the new construction is complete.

The plan for alternate locations will be complete with the next edition of the Spare Time Spotlight, due out in mid-March. During the interim months, the PHR&PD website www.pleasanthillrec.com will have updated information on program locations and date changes. Staff is available to answer your questions at the Pleasant Hill Community Center, 925-676-5200 until April 17th or at the District Administrative Office, 925-682-0896.

What this Means for the Community

There can be no progress without some inconvenience, and the District appreciates the support of the local residents and voters. However, it will all be worthwhile with the opening of the new Pleasant Hill Senior Center, the new Teen Center, and the new Community Center, followed by upgrades to Pleasant Oaks Park and many park restrooms. Community support, ideas, flexibility, and positive attitudes are welcome during this, the District’s 60th – and most historic, year.

Swearing In

At the Board of Directors meeting December 2, 2010, County Clerk Steve Weir administered the oath of office to newly elected Board member Bobby Glover, and incumbent members Cecile Shepard and Sandra Bonato. At the meeting, Glover was elected as Secretary of the Board, and Bonato elected Board Chair.