Sonoma Water E-News | March 2022 |
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Join Virtual Drought Town Hall on Thursday, March 10 at 6:00 p.m. |
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Sonoma Water will host a virtual town hall focused on continued drought conditions in the Russian River watershed.
Speakers will include representatives from Sonoma Water, California Department of Water Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, Santa Rosa Water, Sonoma County Farm Bureau, and State Water Resources Control Board.
Speakers will discuss ongoing drought conditions, water supply management efforts, and conservation measures.
Passcode: 864640
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Water Supply Update – The Drought is Not Over |
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The Russian River watershed is entering a third consecutive year of below-average rainfall. As a result, water supply levels at Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma remain at historic lows. Sonoma Water and its partners in the Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership (SMSWP) urge our community to keep up the great work and effort – water saved now, is water we can use later.
The Sonoma Water weekly water supply graphic (below) 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. |
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The Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership has useful tips to help you find and fix leaks around the house. Start by looking for high or unusual water use on your water bill. Is water use higher than in previous months? It could mean you have a leak!
Next, check with your water provider to determine if water usage data is available online or if it is recommended to manually check your meter. Check online to see if there is any water usage registering when no water is being used. Check your meter, take a reading when all water using fixtures are turned off. If water use is detected when the water is off, you have a leak!
Lastly, perform a visual check all your water using fixtures inside and outside your home, like toilets, faucets, showerheads, and irrigation systems. If you know you have a leak and can’t find the source, it may be time to consider a professional leak detector.
Every drop counts! For more tips on how to find and fix leaks at home, rebate programs, and water-saving tools please visit the Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership website: SavingWaterPartnership.org.
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2021 Sonoma Water Annual Report |
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The purpose of the Annual Report is to increase communication between Sonoma Water and our community and to report back about the progress of key Sonoma Water projects and initiatives over the past year.
The 2021 Annual Report features a drought timeline highlighting the efforts and actions taken in response to the ongoing drought.
Learn more about Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations, Groundwater, Water Use Efficiency, and other projects by visiting SonomaWater.org/annual-report.
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Do you know a High School student interested in making videos? |
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The topic for the 2022 Russian River Watershed Association’s High School Video Contest is: Water, there’s never enough to waste!
The videos are due April 8, 2022. Entries can be an individual or group effort and prize awards are split between the individual(s) who submitted the video and the high school they attend.
Winning videos will be shown at select movie theaters in Santa Rosa, on Sonoma Water’s YouTube channel, and on KRCB local channel 22.
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Rate and Fee Study community meetings |
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The Santa Rosa Plain, Sonoma Valley and Petaluma Valley GSAs are planning community meetings for basin specific Rate and Fee Studies.
The purpose of the meetings is to briefly describe the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the GSP findings, the need for funding, the proposed fee options, and to receive community feedback.
The community meetings will be held virtually from 5:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 22 – Santa Rosa Plain GSA Rate and Fee Study community meeting
Tuesday, March 29 – Sonoma Valley GSA Rate and Fee Study community meeting
Wednesday, March 30 - Petaluma Valley Rate and Fee community meeting
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Rainfall and Water Storage Update
Current water supply conditions as of 3/7/2022:
Lake Mendocino Target Water Supply Curve: 71,504 acre-feet
Current Storage: 42,835 acre-feet (59.91% of Target Water Supply Curve)
Lake Sonoma Target Storage
Curve: 245,000 acre-feet
Current Storage: 148,387 acre-feet (60.57% of Water Supply Pool)
Current rainfall conditions (10/1/21 – 3/7/22)
Ukiah:
Average (1894-2021 water years): 28.79”
Current Water Year: 16.09” which is 55.9% of average
Santa Rosa:
Average (1950-2021 water years): 24.00"
Current Water Year: 22.26” which is 92.76% of average
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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.
•March 15, 2022 Virtual/BSC
•March 18, 2022 Virtual/BSC- Special Closed Session
•March 22, 2022 Virtual/BSC
•April 5, 2022 BSC
•April 18, 2022 BSC- Special Closed Session
Board Agendas:
Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board Meetings
Sonoma Valley -
March 28, 2022 4:00pm
Petaluma Valley -
March 24, 2022 4pm
Santa Rosa Plain -
April 14, 1pm
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Fact of the Month
Groundwater Awareness Week
March 6–12, 2022
An estimated 145 million Americans get their tap water from a groundwater source. This observance highlights how important groundwater is to people’s health and the environment.
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Employment Opportunities
Sonoma Water has job openings for people with a variety of skills and experience.
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Sonoma Water | 404 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | sonomacountywater.org |
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