Case Study: City of Oakdale achieves up to 40% water savings and avoids new wells with WaterSmart

Managing Demand Collaboratively

The City of Oakdale, California — a Central Valley community wholly dependent on groundwater — faced aging wells and the prospect of costly new infrastructure in 2013. Public Services Director Thom Clark set a different course: instead of building new supply, Oakdale would pursue demand management, data-driven efficiency, and stronger customer engagement to secure long-term water reliability.

Oakdale partnered with WaterSmart to deliver personalized Home Water Reports, a Customer Portal, and a Utility Analytics Dashboard that let staff and residents see, compare, and act on household water use. Field crews used portable meters and tablets to verify usage, find leaks, and coach high users; the results were dramatic — a 20% drop in consumption from 2013–2014 and savings up to 40% versus 2013 during statewide drought restrictions, helping the city meet reduction goals and avoid major capital projects while improving customer satisfaction.

City of Oakdale

Thom Clark

Public Services Director