Sonoma Water E-News | July 2024 | |
Windsor Water District, Sonoma Water approve operational agreement for wastewater treatment of Airport-Larkfield-Wikiup Sanitation Zone | |
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The Sonoma Water Board of Directors on June 4 voted unanimously to approve an operational agreement between the Windsor Water District and Sonoma Water for wastewater collection and treatment of Sonoma Water’s Airport-Larkfield-Wikiup Sanitation Zone. Director James Gore acknowledged the unprecedented collaboration at the meeting.
“Recycled water is an increasingly important part of our water resource management needs,” Sonoma Water Director James Gore said. “I am grateful to both parties for their earnest collaboration and moving together into greater resiliency.”
Windsor Water District’s Board followed suit and approved the agreement at its meeting the following night.
“Windsor is grateful for the collaboration with Sonoma Water to develop this agreement that is a win-win for both agencies and the local rate payers,” Windsor Water District Board Chair Rosa Reynoza said. “We have come together to find a solution that benefits the organizations, community, and the environment, supporting Windsor’s NetZero Goals.”
Approval of the operational agreement comes after a year of negotiations between the two agencies. Under the agreement, Windsor will assume treatment of wastewater from the Airport-Larkfield-Wikiup Sanitation Zone service area which includes the Airport Business Center and the Mark West area, east of Highway 101. In exchange, Windsor will gain access to approximately 300 million gallons of Sonoma Water’s recycled water storage ponds, and Sonoma Water will benefit from avoided capital investments on the magnitude of $50 million to rehabilitate infrastructure at its wastewater treatment plant.
Combining the operation of the two systems will result in higher efficiency and a greater volume of recycled water stored in the winter. The additional stored recycled water can then be used for irrigation by residents, commercial businesses and agriculture during the dry season.
The agreement becomes effective on July 1 and will take approximately one year to combine the two systems’ operations.
This aligns with Windsor’s NetZero Wastewater goal of recycling 100% of its treated wastewater, beneficially reusing 100% of its biosolids, and doing all of this with 100% clean energy.
Read more on our website
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Looking back over 75 years: The 1960s
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Central Sonoma Watershed Project
After repeated catastrophic flooding through the 1950s, four flood detention reservoirs were built in the 1960s on Santa Rosa Creek, Matanzas Creek, Paulin Creek and Brush Creek. This integrated network of channels, detention reservoirs and flood facilities is collectively known as the Central Sonoma Watershed Project.
With much of the infrastructure of the Central Sonoma Watershed Project reaching the end of its life expectancy, Sonoma Water and the Natural Resources Conservation Service are currently conducting a vulnerability assessment of the project facilities and plan to publish a new plan for restoration and improvement work to increase community resilience over the next 50 years.
(pictured above: flooded neighborhood, eastern Santa Rosa)
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Spring Lake (Santa Rosa Creek Reservoir)
From 1961 to 1964, Sonoma Water constructed Spring Lake as a flood control reservoir and another element of the Central Sonoma Watershed Project. The reservoir, one of Sonoma Water’s most ambitious flood control projects, consists of three earthen dams, two concrete spillways, a diversion structure and conveyance channels. The project diverts floodwaters from Spring Creek and Santa Rosa Creek into Spring Lake, mitigating flood risk to downtown Santa Rosa by temporarily storing flood waters.
In 1958, the project was designed to temporarily store the volume of water generated by a 100-year storm event (in other words, a storm that, based on 1958 records, had a 1 in 100 - or 1 percent - chance of occurring in any year). Only once since the lake's construction, in 1986, has flooding been so severe as to exceed Spring Lake's capacity and activate the emergency spillway. Plans to create a park around the lake didn’t come to fruition until 1973.
(pictured above: Spring Lake overflow channel under construction)
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Aqueducts
In 1962, two more aqueducts were completed; the Forestville Aqueduct, which provided water to the Forestville Water District, and the 18-mile Petaluma Aqueduct which provided water to the cities of Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Cotati and the Northern Marin Water District. In 1965, the Sonoma Aqueduct was completed along with the Sonoma Booster Station, and the Annadel, Eldridge and Sonoma water storage tanks, supplying water to the City of Sonoma and the Valley of the Moon Water District.
pictured above: constructing the aqueduct
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Warm Springs Dam authorized
In 1962, following the second survey report by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Congress authorized a flood control structure and reservoir with recreational facilities on Dry Creek, a major tributary to the Russian River, near Cloverdale. Called Warm Springs Dam, the project was designed to provide 212,000 acre-feet of water supply storage and 130,000 acre-feet of flood control storage in a reservoir to be known as Lake Sonoma. Warm Springs Dam proved to be very controversial. Design and construction were suspended several times by litigation over financing and environmental effects, and ballot initiatives to halt the dam were presented to voters and defeated on three occasions. Lake Sonoma wouldn’t begin storing water until more than four decades after the Army Corps' initial 1937 survey, in 1983.
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Summer Climate Resilience Workshop Inspires Teachers | |
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In June 2024, the Water and Energy Education Program hosted 20 elementary school teachers for a five-day workshop titled, Climate Resilience in the North Bay. Each day consisted of a field trip and presentations in the morning followed by an afternoon work block for teachers to integrate the information and develop their lessons. Field trips explored topics ranging from land stewardship informed with traditional ecological knowledge at Pepperwood Preserve, water resource security with Sonoma Water, bull kelp restoration along the Sonoma County coast with Regional Parks, renewable energy, and electrification with Sonoma Clean Power. Teachers earned a $750 stipend for attending the workshop and $250 for implementing their lessons during the school year.
The week was a huge success and the Water and Energy Education Program received quite a few positive testimonials:
There was no better way to spend a week of my summer! I have been wanting to find a meaningful way to connect my, and my students', learning to our local climate and ecology and this was it. It was transformative and I am exiting the week inspired and ready with some new resources!
For a slideshow from the program and more teacher comments watch this short video:
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July is Smart Irrigation Month! | |
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This is the month that traditionally has the highest water demand. As the summer sunbathes our landscapes, it's crucial to consider how we care for our landscapes. This Smart Irrigation Month let's commit to nurturing our outdoor spaces in ways that are water efficient, sustainable, and beneficial for both plants and the environment. Together, we can make a significant impact on water conservation efforts, one garden at a time.
Irrigation Scheduling Tool
Have you ever wondered how to effectively schedule your irrigation controller based on factors like weather conditions, plant types, or the type of irrigation system you use? Look no further—we have the perfect solution for you! Introducing the Irrigation Scheduling Tool, a cutting-edge innovation designed to simplify and optimize irrigation scheduling. This tool utilizes data from local weather stations daily, ensuring precise calculations of optimal water requirements for different plant species throughout the week. By considering variables such as plant varieties and irrigation methods, the Irrigation Scheduling Tool generates personalized irrigation schedules to maximize efficiency and conserve water. Additionally, it includes a comprehensive User Guide to support users in optimizing their irrigation practices.
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Irrigation Scheduling Tool
Have you ever wondered how to effectively schedule your irrigation controller based on factors like weather conditions, plant types, or the type of irrigation system you use? Look no further—we have the perfect solution for you! Introducing the Irrigation Scheduling Tool, a cutting-edge innovation designed to simplify and optimize irrigation scheduling. This tool utilizes data from local weather stations daily, ensuring precise calculations of optimal water requirements for different plant species throughout the week. By considering variables such as plant varieties and irrigation methods, the Irrigation Scheduling Tool generates personalized irrigation schedules to maximize efficiency and conserve water. Additionally, it includes a comprehensive User Guide to support users in optimizing their irrigation practices.
Pro Tip: Wondering how to detect leaks in your drip irrigation system? Engage your senses—start by visually inspecting each drip station for spraying water or signs of stressed plants along the drip line. If leaks aren't visible, listen carefully for any unusual sounds emanating from the buried lines, as leaks can often be obscured by soil or mulch.
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Other resources:
Be a water-saving champion with the DIY Toolkit, which includes tools to find and fix leaks and provides free efficient showerheads and faucet aerators you can install and keep. The Toolkit is available for FREE checkout at Sonoma County Library branches.
Need further assistance? Some water providers offer free irrigation assessments and rebates
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Heading to the lake? Don’t move a mussel!
Quagga and zebra mussels are like hitchhikers – they easily attach themselves to boats, trailers or any other form of watercraft that has been exposed to an infested waterway. Don’t let invasive mussels pollute our lakes and clog our essential water intake and distribution systems. Be sure to stop at our Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino inspection stations, open daily 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. before heading out on the water on your boat, for a quick inspection by one of our Mussel Dogs, who are trained to sniff out both adult and larval (microscopic!) mussels.
There are three more simple ways you can help keep mussels out of our waterways:
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Clean: Wash your boat or watercraft immediately after leaving a waterway. Clean all internal and external compartments of your watercraft. A hot water pressure system is recommended.
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Drain: Leave the water in the waterway. Empty all internal and external compartments of your watercraft.
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Dry: Mussels live in water – keeping your watercraft dry when leaving a waterway will ensure they don’t hitch a ride.
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Current water supply conditions as of 7/8/2024:
Lake Mendocino FIRO* Target Water Storage Curve: 111,000 acre-feet
Current Storage: 91,179 acre-feet (88.04% of FIRO Storage Curve)
Lake Sonoma Minor Deviation Curve: 264,000 acre-feet
Current Storage: 251,403 acre-feet (97.23% of Minor Deviation Storage Curve)
*FIRO is the acronym for Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations
Current rainfall conditions (10/1/23 –7/9/24)
Ukiah:
Current Water Year: 38.15” which is 104% of average
Average (1894-2023 water years): 36.76"
Santa Rosa (STS):
Current Water Year: 35.61” which is 99% of average
Average (1950-2023 water years): 35.84"
Rainfall Data Source: NOAA's California Nevada River Forecast Center
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Did you know?
During the hot summer months, it is especially important to stay hydrated. Here’s some tips:
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, even when not thirsty; drink sports drinks (in moderation with water) to help replace electrolytes lost during exercise.
- Avoid sugary, alcoholic, and very cold drinks.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
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Watch this YouTube Short about staying hydrated! | |
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Upcoming Meetings
Eel-Russian Project Authority Board of Directors
View the agenda and video recording of the March 19 Eel-Russian Project Authority Board of Directors Meeting.
For more information visit eelrussianauthority.org/events.
Sonoma Water Board of Directors Meetings
The Sonoma Water Board normally holds its regular meetings on Tuesdays, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and will be facilitated virtually through Zoom and at Board of Supervisors Chambers (BSC) 575 Administration Drive 102A.
•Jul 16 BSC/Virtual/
•Jul 19 BSC/Virtual/Special Closed Session
•Jul 23 BSC/Virtual
•Aug 13 BSC/Virtual/
•Aug 16 BSC/Virtual/Special Closed Session
•Aug 20 BSC/Virtual
Board Agendas:
View upcoming Agenda items
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Employment Opportunities
Now recruiting a Water Education Intern: apply by July 17
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Sonoma Water | 404 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | SonomaWater.org | | | | |
