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Local water updates: Diablo Water District outlines CIP and conservation; Delta advocate warns of system risks
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Summary
Diablo Water District presented a $35 million five-year capital plan, conservation targets and a planned 5,000,000-gallon reservoir; a Delta advocate told the council of litigation, audits and studies warning of subsidence and large potential repair costs in the Delta that could threaten statewide deliveries.
Oakley council members heard two water-focused presentations: an annual update from Diablo Water District General Manager Dan Murath on local supply, demand and capital projects, and a Delta update from a local advocate summarizing statewide legal and technical developments.
Dan Murath said the district is monitoring Sierra snowpack conditions, reporting Los Vaqueros at about 92% capacity and the local groundwater supply in balance. He highlighted a five-year, $35 million capital improvement program that includes upgrades to treatment and distribution, a planned 5,000,000-gallon steel reservoir to increase resiliency, and a shift to renewable diesel for medium-duty vehicles and later-year truck electrification. "We're also on track to be carbon neutral by 2027," Murath said.
Murath described statewide conservation metrics—moving from about 47 to 42 gallons per capita per day by 2030—and noted the district's audit/inspection plans for public facilities as it prepares for state compliance deadlines on turf and outdoor water use. He said rate studies are conducted every five years and cited a possible illustrative $5–$6 monthly increase depending on board decisions.
Earlier in the meeting, Roger (described as Oakley’s resident Delta expert) briefed the council on a string of statewide developments: a requested audit of the Department of Water Resources, litigation by environmental groups alleging Endangered Species Act violations, and a March decision timeline from the Delta Stewardship Council on DWR compliance. Roger cited a 2025 DWR study he said predicted subsidence could reduce State Water Project delivery capacity by 87% by 2043 and told the council that replacing damaged conveyance infrastructure would cost billions. He also relayed coalition opposition to certain appointments and to projects such as Sites Reservoir, which he said has multi-billion-dollar cost estimates.
Council members thanked both presenters and requested copies of materials and added outreach around water topics. Questions to the water district focused on program metrics for lawn-to-garden conversions, how the district balances fixed system costs amid falling per-connection usage, and customer-assistance programs for qualifying households.
Next steps: Council requested staff and district materials be shared with councilmembers, and the city and the water district will continue coordination on state compliance, grant opportunities and local project timelines.
