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Sonoma Water E-News | January 2022
Water Supply Update – The Drought is Not Over
Despite recent rains, our reservoirs are still at historic lows for this time of year. More storms (like the October 24, 2021 atmospheric river event) are needed to increase storage levels from the third driest water year on record over the last 127 years and to bring an end to this severe drought. Winter is a critical time for water conservation in order to conserve our water supply. We urge our community to keep up the great water-saving efforts – water saved now is water we can use later.

We are all hopeful that the positive beginning of the current water year continues, but after two years of record-low rainfall, we have a long way to go before the drought is over. Sonoma Water thanks our water customers for continuing to conserve water every day and we celebrate those doing their part in this community-wide effort.
The updated Sonoma Water weekly water supply graphic (below) now provides a comparison of storage levels during 2020, 2021 with current 2022 water storage for our two main reservoirs, Lake Sonoma, and Lake Mendocino. You can stay informed about Current Water Supply Conditions, Drought Updates, Actions, and Information by going to: sonomawater.org/current-water-supply-levels
Sonoma Water Receives Drought Grant Funding
Sonoma Water on December 23, 2021 was awarded close to $9 million from the California Department of Water Resources to make our water supply system more resilient during this and other droughts. Specifically, these funds will expand and improve the resiliency of the drinking water supply for over 600,000 people in Sonoma and Marin counties by rehabilitating two currently inactive wells, which will provide approximately 3.7 million gallons of water daily. The funds will also assist with planning efforts in the Russian River watershed to address drought conditions and climate change.  


View Sonoma Water Drought Grant Funding:
Tired of waiting for hot water? Save time and water with a hot water recirculation pump.
During the winter months, many homeowners need to run the hot water for a minute or more before the water warms up. While you can capture this water for reuse with a bucket, it is an inconvenience many avoid and instead the water is allowed to go down the drain. There is a solution to this: a hot water recirculation pump.

A hot water recirculation pump moves water through your hot water pipes and loops the water back to the water heater to be reheated. This keeps the water in your pipes hot, so you have hot water as soon as you turn on the tap – no more waiting. This also saves water because you don’t need to let it run to get hot.

The pump can be set on a timer to turn on based on a schedule or a button is installed near your sink to activate the pump on demand. On-demand pumps have a temperature sensor, which shuts down the pump once the hot water has arrived at the fixture.

Santa Rosa Water offers a rebate of up to $100 for installing a hot water recirculation pump. Visit their website for more information: https://srcity.org/834/Rebates-Free-Services

For water conservation tips, rebate programs, and water-saving tools please visit the Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership website: https://www.savingwaterpartnership.org/
Steelhead in the Classroom
Teacher Workshop (virtual) January 8, 22, and 29, 2022
This workshop qualifies teachers to apply for a permit to receive steelhead eggs in Spring 2022. Steelhead in the Classroom is a program for kindergarten through High School where students hatch steelhead eggs and raise them in a 10-gallon aquarium in their classroom.

The Steelhead in the Classroom program provides a memorable opportunity for students to connect with the fish they raise in the classroom, and develop a relationship with their local creek and river. Learn about the program with our new YouTube video (below).

Rainfall and Water Storage Update
 
Current water supply conditions as of 1/122022:   
    
Lake Mendocino Target Water Supply Curve: 64,369 acre-feet   
Current Storage: 44,317 acre-feet (68.85% of Target Water Supply Curve)   
    
Lake Sonoma Target Storage
Curve: 245,000 acre-feet
Current Storage: 151,861 acre-feet (61.98% of Water Supply Pool)   
    
Current rainfall conditions (10/1/21 – 1/11/22)   
    
Ukiah:   
Average (1894-2021 water years): 15.94”   
Current Water Year: 15.86” which is 99.5% of average   
    
Santa Rosa:   
Average (1950-2021 water years): 13.64"   
Current Water Year: 22.06” which is 161.7% of average  
Upcoming Events

The 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.

•Jan. 13, 2022 Virtual/BSC- Special Closed Session
•Jan. 25, 2022 Virtual/BSC
•Feb. 1, 2022 Virtual/BSC-Strategic Planning Retreat
•Feb. 4, 2022 Virtual/BSC- Special Closed Session
•Feb. 8, 2022 Virtual/BSC

Board Agendas: 

Please visit SoCoEmergency.org for additional information and resources

Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board Meetings

Sonoma Valley -
Feb. 28, 2022 4:00pm

Petaluma Valley -
Feb. 24, 2022 4pm

Santa Rosa Plain -
Feb. 10, 1pm
Fact of the Month

Which is the leading cause of leaking toilets?

a. Tank Cracks
b. Worn Toilet Flapper
c. Rusted Pipes

(b)Toilet flappers are the leading cause of leaking or running toilets – they provide the seal for the flush valve and control the volume of water released to the bowl.
Employment Opportunities

Sonoma Water has job openings for people with a variety of skills and experience.
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