The City of Hercules is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $100,000 WaterSMART grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. These funds will support upgrades to the irrigation systems in 10 City parks, which will conserve water, reduce cost and enhance environmental sustainability. Hercules is one of just 36 agencies across the western United States selected to receive this grant, funded through the Bureau’s Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Program.
“Securing this grant is a tremendous win for the City of Hercules and our community,” said Hercules Mayor Dion Bailey. “By upgrading the irrigation systems in our parks with cutting-edge technology, we are taking meaningful steps to conserve water, reduce costs and enhance our beautiful green spaces. This project reflects our commitment to responsible environmental practices and sustainable growth.”
With this initiative, the City of Hercules plans to replace 15 manual irrigation controllers in local parks with advanced WeatherTRAK ET Pro 3 cloud-based controllers. These state-of-the-art systems will optimize water use by integrating with a weather station and adjusting irrigation based on real-time weather data and soil conditions. Staff will have the ability to monitor and manage irrigation remotely via a mobile app, ensuring precision and flexibility. By minimizing over-watering and reducing water waste, the project will conserve resources, lower costs and enhance green spaces for the community.
Engineering design work has already been completed to support the project and necessary permits for installation will be obtained within six months. The estimated schedule for project implementation includes three months for procurement of the systems and six months for installation.
The City of Hercules is excited about the positive impact these upgrades will have on the community and its cherished green spaces. It also underscores the City’s success in advancing the Council Council’s Strategic Goal to Plan and Fund Major Infrastructure. We look forward to our community and environment enjoying the benefits of these upgrades.
For more information about the WaterSMART grant, visit USBR.gov/WaterSmart.