WALNUT CREEK (KRON) — California is in the middle of a major drought. Parts of Walnut Creek’s public green space have been allowed to go brown and lawns are dying, but a city project for a new splash pad is still in the works.
City officials started planning the new splash pad in 2012.
It will take 3,000 gallons of drinkable water to run the soon to be constructed fountain. City officials say the water will be recycled and filtered. The splash pad will be on a timer and will be operated with a push button during the hottest months of the year.
City officials say this won’t interfere with its drought measures.
Under Governor Brown’s plan, the city will have to reduce its usage by about 20 million gallons a year. They currently used more than 80 million gallons a year.
The city council voted to cut off water to 17 of its 80 acres, with many water features have been paved over, and re-landscaping is underway with drought resistant plants.
Some residents say that with even more water restrictions coming, the splash pad project shouldn’t be in the pipeline.