County saves money, water at Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park

Press release from San Bernardino County

Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park, located within the City of Ontario, was one of the largest customers of water resources in the City. Characterized by wide-open turf areas and two fishing lakes, the park uses approximately 326 acre feet of water per year. 

With the scarcity of water resources making headlines coupled with the economic benefits, it made sense for the Regional Parks Department to pursue conversion to reclaimed water for irrigation purposes and the filling of its two lakes. 

Interim Director of Regional Parks, Maureen Snelgrove said, "Utilizing reclaimed water will aid in conservation of a resource that is becoming more and more scarce. In addition, by converting to this method the County will recognize an annual savings of over $108,000 based on current water rates."

The Regional Parks administration began working closely with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) and the City of Ontario in 2007 to perform a retrofit conversion of Cucamonga-Guasti Parks' domestic to largely reclaimed water. The conversion is being accomplished in three phases: I. Construction of a recycled water main, recycled irrigation system and new potable water main; II. 

Construction of a new potable water main and a new recycled main for the West side of the park III. Finalizing the connections. Work on the project began in 2008. 

Concerns regarding protecting fish and waterfowl in the Parks' lakes were answered by implementing a dechlorination system. The majority of the system was activated on June 29, 2009 and final completion will take place in mid-August.

Only the irrigation system and lakes at Cucamonga-Guasti will utilize the reclaimed water system. Water for restrooms, drinking fountains, swim and slide complex and the zero depth water play park will continue to operate using domestic potable water.

San Bernardino County Regional Parks Department operates nine facilities throughout the County. In addition to Cucamonga-Guasti, Prado Regional Park in Chino operates its lake and irrigation system on reclaimed water. Regional Parks Department will pursue retrofit conversion opportunities at other parks where feasible.