The Ironhouse Sanitary District announced its recycled water fill station opened June 1 and will have regular hours scheduled beginning June 3. The fill station will be open 7:30 am to 7:30 pm.
This marks the eighth year of the fill station, where Oakley and Bethel Island residents and businesses can obtain recycled water at no cost for irrigation purposes. Each visit allows for up to 300 gallons of water to be dispensed.
This service allows residents the convenience of returning regularly to irrigate lawns, trees, and gardens or to wash their cars and clean driveways and decks.
Recycled water can be used for:
- Watering your trees
- Gardens
- Vegetables
- Lawn irrigation
- Washing your car
- Cleaning outdoor furniture
- Washing Hard surfaces (paths, walls, windows, etc.)
Recycled water is NOT suitable for:
- Drinking
- Cooking or use in the kitchen
- Bathing or showering
- Filling swimming pools or spas
- Children’s water toys
- Plumbing to the household domestic plumbing system
Special Event Scheduled For June 10: Learn how to use recycled water in your yard and conserve water
Come out to Ironhouse Sanitary District’s free special event on Saturday, July 10, to learn how to conserve water during the drought and maintain a green lawn, vegetable garden, and beautiful flowers in your yard. The event runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and visitors can drop in anytime for more information. Additionally, those who register for recycled water will be invited to enjoy a complimentary taco lunch.
It may surprise you to learn that on average, homeowners use 160 gallons of water daily to irrigate their front and backyard, as reported by the EPA. This amounts to a staggering 1,120 gallons per week and 4,800 gallons per month, which could be utilized for drinking purposes.
The Ironhouse Sanitary District recognizes the significance of having a lush lawn, flourishing vegetable garden, and shaded trees for homeowners who take pride in their property. To aid in sustaining these features while conserving water, residents of Oakley and Bethel Island can obtain unlimited amounts of FREE recycled water through a designated system. Moreover, outside District residents may also access recycled water by paying a small annual fee.
For those who haven’t taken advantage of using recycled water for irrigation, it doesn’t take much to get started. ISD’s recycled water is safe for nearly all outside watering needs, including vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and even washing driveways and cars.
It is a common misconception that you need a 300-gallon tank and a pickup truck to transport recycled water. In reality, there are many different types of containers that can be used. Some residents have found success using gallon containers, covered five-gallon buckets, and even 30-gallon drums, which can all be purchased at local hardware stores and easily fit in a car or SUV.
ISD allows users to bring home anywhere from one gallon to 300 gallons of recycled water each trip to their Recycled Water Fill Station site in Oakley and make as many trips as they’d like during Fill Station open hours.
You can sign up anytime, but this weekend there’s an opportunity to get answers to your questions without committing to our service. If you’re ready to start, bring your containers and attend a short training session on using recycled water. If you can’t make it on Saturday, you can schedule an appointment by calling 925-625-2279 or emailing [email protected]. Please note that we’ll need proof of your current residential address.
Please note that recycled water is not safe for drinking or preparing food. However, it is suitable for watering plants, lawns, and washing cars and paths. You can even water edible plants like fruit trees, vegetables, and herbs with recycled water, but make sure to wash them with potable water before consuming. Please refrain from using recycled water for cooking, kitchen use, or filling up children’s water toys. It’s best to use it for non-potable purposes such as bathing, showering, and filling swimming pools or spas.
Saturday’s training event will take place at Ironhouse’s Residential Recycled Water Fill Station, located at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive. Cross streets are Rose Avenue, Main Street, and Districts Way. The Recycled Water Fill Station is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Let’s all save water together!
