Golf course water deal for Oakmont

<p>Santa Rosa has struck a tentative deal to help wean the Oakmont Golf Club off 40 million gallons in recycled wastewater annually.</p><p>The city plans to spend $2.8 million to build a new storage pond, plant low-water grasses, and upgrade the irrigation system at Oakmont's two private 18-hole golf courses.</p><p>The plan goes before the city's Board of Public Utilities at 1:30 p.m. today, and if approved would head to the City Council later this month.</p><p>The city wants to close the aging wastewater treatment plant at Oakmont to save money, instead treating the wastewater at its Laguna Treatment Plant. But the golf club relies on the treated wastewater to irrigate its greens and fairways in summer. It claims a 1963 agreement requires the city to supply the club with water indefinitely.</p><p>Concerned about the possibility of lengthy litigation, city staff met with representatives of the club and senior community 28 times to hammer out a deal.</p><p>The project is expected to take three years, during which time the city will provide the course with water for irrigation at a cost of about $60,000 per year, said David Guhin, deputy director of utility operations.</p><p>-- Kevin McCallum</p>